This one
was all over the internet and making a lot of buzz on the blogs, so I decided
to discover what all the buzz was about…
“Girl: What are you
doing?
Boy: I am sitting still
Girl: What are you doing while you’re sitting still?
Boy: Nothing
Narrator: Chi-Ho’s goal was to keep breathing. He has accomplished that goal.”
Boy: I am sitting still
Girl: What are you doing while you’re sitting still?
Boy: Nothing
Narrator: Chi-Ho’s goal was to keep breathing. He has accomplished that goal.”
The Rundown
Behind
the name: The coming-of-age
year
Country: South Korea, 2015
Genre:
Comedy, Coming-of-Age
Distributed
by: Next
Entertainment World
Director: Lee
Byeong-heon
Cast: Kim
Woo-bin (as Ji-Ho), Lee Junho (as
Dong-Wo), Kang Ha-neul (as Kyung-Jae), Jung So-min (as So-Min), Jung
Joo-yeon (as Eun-Hye), Min
Hyo-rin (as Jin-Joo)
Compare to: “American Pie” but a lot more PG
Hate it or Love
it? Luv it
Synopsis in a Sentence: Three
high-school friends must come to terms with their adulthood after graduating
high school; one, a lazy rich-kid with no ambition; another the hustling
job-seeker, and a third the dreamer whose family just became bankrupt; As males
at age 20, they must prove themselves to the world.
On Writing: The Plot
The storyline was good; almost anyone can relate to
these three friends and their dreams, and as it seems, the writers attempt to
give us girls a peek into the male world. The comedy is straightforward and
light, with some deeper undertones that deal with “getting your life together,”
“dealing with a tough economy,” and “becoming more responsible”.
Quite unlike what this movie’s marketing crafted, this
is not exactly Korea’s version of American Pie. It’s considerably more PG-13,
but of course selling the movie as a risqué cliché will draw in the audience.
The script is written by the movie’s director, Lee Byeong-Heon
who seems to have a knack for male-centered productions. This is only his second
one, and he did a good job on it!
(4/5)
On Acting: The Cast
Alright, so we all know the star of this cast is Kim Woo-Bin,
who recently shot to stardom in TV Series like The Heirs and School 2013. His
peers elect him as the most popular star of 2015, as he wins the Popularity
Award for playing this character, Chi-Ho,
at the Korean Film Actors' Guild Awards. In any rate, he is great as Chi-Ho.
Relaying the I-don’t-care coolness of his character with ease. He’s quite
mastered these roles, and we’d quite like to see him attempt something a bit
versatile, but there’s not a complaint for this role.
Lee Jun-Ho plays as Dong-Wo, the struggling cartoonist who must face the reality of his
situation when his parent’s company runs bankrupt. He plays the role with well.
And then Kang Ha-Neul who is Kyung-Jae,
the wanna-be company employee plays the straight-forward straight shooter. Kang
wins awards for his portrayal of his character; he earns the title of Best New
Actor at the 15th Korea World Youth Film Festival and the Korean Film Actors'
Guild Awards. Overall a good cast.
(4/5)
On Production: The Creativity
Production is good
and goes well with the story and theme of unfettered youth. Especially,
marketing is good. Overall a good production
(4/5)
On Resolution: The
Conclusion
The resolution is quite good. Arguably better than the
entire run of the movie. And the irony is classic. An overall good end to an
overall good movie.
(4.5/5)
The Verdict: A fun,
light-hearted comedy but don’t wait for the risqué bits. The movie was over-sold
in that aspect. If however you’re looking to smile at the idiocy and struggles
of youth, then this is your film.
Overall Score = 16.5/20
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