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!