Closer To Heaven (South Korean)

Closer To Heaven is so a beautiful romance movie from South Korea that the whole world could learn from. Ha Ji-won and Kim Myung- min truly did a remarkable job in making us believe in their love and hope for a happy ending that never comes.


"Lee Ji-soo was a twice divorced funeral director who reunited with old friend Baek Jong-woo for funeral services for his mother. Jong-woo had suffered from Lou-Gehrig-Syndrome in which he battled as teenager ever since. Ji-soo, who had suffered two divorces, finds herself bonding with Jong-woo and they begin to fall in love with other. Later on they get married, however they went through several trials along the way." - Wikipedia

Do not expect a happy ending or in other words don't expect an American ending. This film is realistic in it's love, so realistic that it hits our hearts at full force. To the point we also might think about our mortality and wondering if we too had ever had true love like these two characters had.
I don't know any girl that would stay at my side if I had ALS or even other serious disease and take care of me. I realize through this film that I never felt what true love is..Do you?

Lee Ji-su (Ha Ji-won) is a funeral director who no man could love because of her hands. She prepares the dead for the afterlife by cleaning them up and making them look better than ever. She never expected to fall in love with a man from her past that was fighting a serious disease. She like a lot people did not know what ALS was and despite finding out what it is she stayed by her loves side.
Even when he made  a turn for the worse she left but came back. She could never deny the fact she loves the man. Ha Ji-won made a stellar performance and proves she can play dramtic roles and not just comedic roles.

Baek Jong-woo (Kim Myung-min) is a made stricken with ALS and is bound to a wheelchair. He gets better then gets worse to the point he can no longer move by himself. All the time he has the love of Lee Ji-su though he tries to push her away she eventually comes back to stay by his side until the painful end. It's my first time seeing Kim Myung-min act but it will not be the last. He did such a great job depicting the pain of ALS patients and a man in love that knows he will die.

This movie hit home with me since I knew someone who went through ALS and eventually died in his sleep. I saw him go through most of the stages I saw in the movie nad heard about what he went through during his last part of his life. That's how I knew the scenes in this film are realistic, as are the feelings that float all around this film.

Good night true love, I'll see you again when the time comes

3.9/5

Flowers of War (2011 Chinese Historical Film)

This is not a romantic film! This film is filled with the atrocities of war, but manages to slip in a little romance.

Before I start, I would like to say that I never heard of The Rape of Nanking until I watched this film. It changed my life, I began to research the event and watched other movies that featured this horrible event. This film was inspired by 13 Flowers of Nanjing by Geling Yan.

This film features Christian Bale as an American missionary that comes to China during the 1937 Japanese Invasion of Nanjing (aka Nanking). We eventually see a clash between the young girls and the brothel women.

Although this films starts off rocky, it does get better and has become one of my favorite films. Now on to one of my least favorite romances-the tragic one.

Yu Mo (played Ni Ni, in her acting debut) is the leader of the courtesans or In other words a group of women from a brothel that manage to get into the church's property. This is a conflict between Yu Mo and John Miller (Christian Bale) whom Miller wants to sleep with. In the beginning Yu Mo strings Miller along because he is "white face" which she hopes will hope her survive this tragic time. But towards the end of the film I believe she truly falls in love with him and wants to be with him. She even gives him her body willingly for the first time in her life that she can remember.

John Miller (Christian Bale) is shown as a selfish American drunk but eventually he grows to be a respectable character. He eventually protects the girls and the women that he has no reason to. He falls for Yu Mo early on but truly shows her his heart towards the very end when they are preparing to separate forever.

Christian Bale does a wonderful job in this film, he has great character development and a depth of character that only he seems to know how to use. He adds a whole other level in this film, I see him as a more respectable actor.
Ni Ni such a beautiful women was wonderful in this film, it was her first time acting in anything! I was surprised at that, she already seems like she has a good handle on it. I hope to see her in more films.


I was quite conflicted to add this film to this list because of the tragic events behind it an I hope I haven't hurt anyone's feelings by including this film here.

4/5

In no way is this film a happy film, so expect to walk away feeling something other than happiness.

IL Mare (2000-South Korean)

IL Mare is a 2000 South Korean romantic fantasy that dares to be a little different. Americans should be familiar with the general plot line, since this is that The Lake House was the remake of.

These two people are locked in a weird romance, the man is living two years in the past and the girl is in present time. They communicate through this mailbox by letters or even by tape.

It was quite interesting to see the development between this two characters that were excellently played by their actors. Honestly this two were way better than Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. In comparison this film blows the Lake House out of the water.

First up Eun Joo (Jun Ji-Hyun) a beautiful young woman who moves out of the main house into an apartment complex in the city. Yet she keeps coming to the house and checking out the mail box after she discovers someone has written a letter back to her. With this character with have the modern female who was spurred by love but isn't afraid to find it again but is afraid to lose it. She is seen trying to fall in love but we know how that ends up.

Sung-hyun (Lee Jung-jae) is a man literally living in the past, he is the first tenant of IL Mare. He discovers Eun Joo's letters and starts to write back. He even gets back a tape recorder she lost 2 years ago. He is a strong character that we enjoy to see, it is very nice to see this character played so well.



I have to overall this film is great, I hate that the remake couldn't even match the level of this film. I suggest this film to all those that love romance movies, this will change your mind about the Lake House and Korean movies.

4/5

Always (2011 South Korean Romantic Drama)

"Cheol-min, a man with a dark, mysterious past, gets hired at a part-time night job as a parking lot attendant. He sits in the tiny pay booth in the parking lot and stares at the small television. A woman named Jung-hwa walks into the booth. She offers something to Cheol-min and sits next to him. Cheol-min realizes the woman is blind and she is confusing him for the parking attendant who worked there previously.
Nevertheless, the woman comes back on another night to watch the same television drama. She constantly asks Cheol-min questions on what is happening on the television screen. Cheol-min starts becoming attached to the woman. Their past is tied by a life-altering incident.
One day, Cheol-min accompanies Jung-hwa to a musical. Afterwards they have dinner together. Jung-hwa asks about Cheol-min's past. Cheol-min ruthlessly berates Jung-hwa for asking about his past. Their relationship becomes strained.
Several days later when Jung-hwa's boss follows her home and tries to sexually assault her, Cheol-min busts through the door. He beats up Jung-hwa's boss savagely and attempts to comfort Jung-hwa. They move in together and start to live as a couple. But can their happiness last?" -Wiki


A Truly wonderful romantic film that was one of my first Korean films. So-Ji Sub is my favorite south Korean actor and proves that he can act in a wide variety of roles. It was my first time seeing Han Hyo-joo whom is one of my favorite South Korean actresses.


The film seems like it will be an uneventful romance film where the lovers might be separated due to a disease but it's not. Cheol min is a guy who doesn't care that the girl is blind and doesn't ridicule her for it. Instead he wants to protect her and just love her. Meanwhile Jung-hwa falls in love with Cheol-min from almost the first moment they meet. She is an innocent looking girl who is selfless and tries to keep a positive view of the world. But the world has different plans for her.

Jung-hwa eventually learns how to lean on cheol-min support after (spoiler alert) he beats up her boss whom tries to rape her. She is stronger than one would think but she's at someone to keep her company. She suffers a lot but still keeps a positive view of the view, you can't help but care for her. She tries and fails but doesn't stop until she gets it right.

Meanwhile Cheol Min has a dark past that is revealed in segments during two parts of the film. He is truly a nice guy that chose the wrong path in his earlier days. you can see a repeat of this after he decides to start fighting again  to earn money for him and jung-hwa. In the end the roles are somewhat reversed and Cheol Min now needs someone to lean on...always.

 

I suggest this film to romance lovers!

My PS Partner (South Korean Romantic Comedy)

"Instead of calling her boyfriend, Yoon-jung accidentally calls a total stranger, Hyun-seung, a man who is having trouble getting over his ex-girlfriend. She ends up having phone sex with him and later, they become comfortable with each other and start talking about their respective relationship problems. They eventually decide to meet and a more intimate friendship develops, which leads to both falling for each other"

This film was an interesting take on modern couples as well the pursuit of real love even if its erotic, there should be no shame in love. My PS partner is not a pornographic film full of vulgar words, it is an erotic romantic comedy that doesn't disgust you or bore you with the use of dirty words.

Ji Sung is Hyun-seung, who is a lost young man searching for himself and love. His love of music is the only thing he has left, but he rediscovers true passion for music and romance after he starts talking to Yoon-jung. The approach of this character was interesting, he wasn't a perverted individual but instead he was just a modern man. He can make you laugh, be sad, happy, which is unique in a romantic comedy like this.

Kim Ah-joon isYoon-jung, she too discovers what she really wants after meeting Hyun-seung and falling in love with him. She is a thoughtful girlfriend that is being misused by her cheating boyfriend but she pretends not to notice. It is quite sad but with Hyun-seung she takes a journey of erotic discovery that compels us to enjoy the story.


These two characters were a treat to see, they mixed well together and I wouldn't mind seeing these two performers together again.

3/5

A Moment to Remember (2004)

 

 

"The first act of the film introduces the protagonists, a woman named Su-jin and a man named Chul-soo. The movie highlights their accidental meeting, followed by their subsequent courting despite their difference in social status that should have kept them apart. Kim Su-jin is a 27-year-old fashion designer, spurned by her lover, a colleague who was also a married man. Depressed, she goes to a convenience store, where she bumps into a tall, handsome man with whom she has a slight misunderstanding. Following that, she returns home and, receiving her father's forgiveness, decides to start life afresh."

 

 

Really beautiful film even if you don't take a moment, to remember all the little clues the director lays out to tell you want the film is all about. This film is one of the reasons why I started to watch Korean films, after watching this film I kept watching more and more of them. Son Ye-Jin is such a wonderful actor, I can see why she is considered one of the best of South Korea. She is a roundabout actress that has proven time after time that she can play any role. I also think this is Jung Woo-sung's acting role, though I love his acting in the TV drama Padam Padam.

 

Kim Su-jin is a somewhat naïve rich girl whom had an affair with a married man and planned to run off with him. But as the film progresses we see her acting more mature, she is as forgetful as she is beautiful. Sun-Jin is a bundle of emotions but she shows off her cute side to us but her attempts on wooing Chul-Soo. Yet later on she takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride that leaves us with a bittersweet feeling at the end.

Meanwhile with Chul-Soo, whom is passionate at what he does and is somewhat shut off from the world. HIs interactions with Su-Jin, gives us a little comedy that seems natural. He slowly starts to open up but it isn't up to until the last part of the movie that we see a more emotional man. Though he stays strong, Su-Jin softs him up a bit in a good way and makes his journey with her enjoyable.


A wonderful romance film that shows the true meaning of love and what truly means to share your life with someone.


4/5

Side note: It disgusts me that Katherine Heigl will be starring in the American remake. I don't think there should be a sequel. Look at spike's old boy, its no where as good as the Korean version. They are going to mess it up so bad!

 

 

 

 



A Beautiful Life (2011-Chinese film)

"A real-estate agent Li Peiru (Shu Qi) gets drunk at a karaoke bar and throws up on a lonely cop Fang Zhendong (Liu Ye). Zhendong quickly feels a connection to the flirtatious Peiru despite the fact that she's having an affair with her married boss."


One of my favorite films in general, it is a romantic with undertones of realistic life that can leave us feeling depressed. I am big fan of Shu Qi despite what certain critics say she is a good actress to me and she's beautiful to boot. Liu Ye is also a good actor though I feel like he's being given the same kind of characters more than once. The two share some chemistry on screen and actually made me like the characters which is rare for me. I felt happy and satisfied after watching this film for the first time.

Shu Qi's character Li Peiru can be seen as representing the current society women and not just women in modern day China. She is materialistic that is quite common in China (According the director of the film) and she is quite selfish. She doesn't really take life seriously and leans on Fang Zhendong for support though she is having an affair with her boss.
Li Peiru slowly changes throughout the film, most likely do to Zhendong's doing. She does things that she wouldn't normally do after meeting him a few times. Though it isn't until the last half of the film does she fully change into a better person and now supports Zhendong.

Meanwhile Liu Ye's character Zhendong, is the definition of a better part of society. He is a cop in the beginning of the film and is respected by his fellow officers. He is also selfless, taking care of his younger brother and protecting citizens. I felt bad for him in the beginning, since he was helping the woman he sort of loved in her relationship with her married boss(which he didn't learn about after their meeting in a grocery store). Everyone can lean on him, but slowly that changes and the roles are reversed in a dramatic way.

4/5

A lot of people might argue with me but I will stand firm on the fact that I love this movie and that will never change.