Sisyphus’ Sigma: A Look into Mental Illness
2009: Lost Memories
Country: South Korea Year: 2002 Genre: Action, Thriller
What would happen if someone manipulated history? What if you could time-travel using an artifact and change history for your own good? And what if the conspiracy is revealed? 2009: Lost Memories is a science-fiction film depicting how literally and metaphorically the winner writes history. The film is based on the novel ''In Search of an Epitaph'' by Bok Geo Il, though he sued the film producers and got his name removed from the credits. (Clueless as to why).
It is 2009 and South Korea is under the Japanese occupation. Seoul is the third major city of Japan , and Japanese is the official language. Sakamoto Masayuki (Jang Dong Gun) is a police officer living under the shame of having a corrupt police officer as his dad. He lives as a Japanese person and fights against the Korean resistance (Hureisenjin) with his best friend Saigo Shojiro (Nakamura Toru).
His life goes for a change when he tries to uncover the secrets behind the Hureisenjin cases. Sakamoto becomes the target of the Japanese government and the Inou organization, that is holding the secrets. He escapes with the help of his friend Saigo, and finds himself with the Hureisenjin. After the leader of the Hureisenjin explains to Sakamoto the manipulation that changed South Korea's history and the story behind his father's death, Sakamoto finds himself joining forces with the Hureisenjin. He travels back in time to set things right.
Lost Memories is about the endless struggle between nations which drags everyone in it. It is about a deep friendship that finds itself strangled because of the people in power. It is about sacrifice, pain and loyalty.
History lies. The winner writes history. People lose themselves in the mirage of patriotism. People in power draw the scenario and the crowd acts accordingly. Oscar Wilde says in Lord Arthur Savile's Crime: ''The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast.''
Two Faces of My Girlfriend
Country: South Korea Year: 2007 Genre: Comedy, Romance
Some people claim that the wounds caused by love, will only be healed by a new love. Yuri (Jung Ryeo Won), who received such a big scar she could not even cope with, falls into a healing relationship with Gu Chang (Bong Tae Gyu). Gu Chang, who has never been in a proper relationship, meets and falls in love with Ani: a split-personality of Yuri. He figures out the multiple personality disorder she suffers from and starts dealing with both split-personalities; kind and innocent Ani and violent and masculine Hani. Behind the disorder lies the heartbreaking story of Yuri.
Well, sounds like normal synopsis so far. Now here is where I come in. God!! How come Jung Ryeo Won does everything so amazingly?! I mean, she is a living goddess. She's a genius. Her acting is always awesome and she is undoubtedly superb in this film. To portray split-personalities in a way that gets the audience involved completely is no easy matter. No wonder she won Best New Actress on this role. Applause!!
It is my first time watching Bong Tae Gyu. Well, there goes one hell of a talented actor. The way he can portray the perfect blockhead and at the very next moment the most romantic man! His expressions and the range of emotions he presents are legendary. I am amazed by him.
The brilliant story that got me laughing to tears then crying my heart out deserves the huge hit it achieved in the box office. It manipulates the audience's emotions and leaves them dumbfounded. The realistic and painful approach of life, the embedded existentialism, the deep angst against life and the world, with the 'lighthouse' in the background guiding the wounded home, is what makes this film worth watching.
Antique Bakery
Country: South Korea Year: 2008 Genre: Comedy, Romance
When I started watching K-dramas and films I had the impression that the works based on Japanese mangas were not my type. I even started avoiding them. Well, not anymore. Fumi Yoshinaga's manga proved a success as a manga and an anime, and later as a Korean film. It hit a huge success in the box office and proved one of the most successful Korean films.
I know what some are thinking. I do not believe in numbers only to prove the success of a work. There are more awesome underrated works than the popular and well-known ones. But this is one is a piece of art.The reason why I decided to watch the film was the poster. Where on Earth would you find a film with these four male leads? Who would miss a film with those four hotties? With those four genius actors?!
Kim Jin Hyeok (Joo Ji Hoon) decided to open a cake shop because of a traumatic childhood incident. (The child Jin Hyeok is none but Yeo Jin Goo. I know!!) His hairstyle and the moustache just killed me.
A genius pâtissier applies for the job. Patissier Min Seon Woo (Kim Jae Wook) had been fired of all his previous jobs because of his gay 'demoniac charms'. Seon Woo's first love was none but Jin Hyeok who broke his heart in high school and drove him to become who he is.
They start working in the bakery, waiting for male workers applicants, because Seon Woo is scared of women. An ex-boxer applies, Yang Ki Beom (Yoo Ah In). Seon Woo finds in him what it takes to become a great patissier and takes him as his apprentice.
Jin Hyeok's family, who has always been worried about him since the incident, sends the man who has worked for the family all his life and has grown along with Jin Hyeok to keep an eye on him. Nam Su Yeong (Choi Ji Ho) starts working in the bakery messing everything and falling hopelessly in love with Seon Woo.
The film traces the story of the four as the bakery flourishes, the fights between them that make them closer, and their struggles to fight the shackles holding them down.
Antique Bakery is the story of true love and bromance. "It is about what you eat when you are happy; cake'', and how painful and contradictory that statement might be. It is a story of healing and friendship, of love and success.
