Primeiro Beijo

The concept is simple: what happens when a pair of twenty-something's meet, and don't know that neither has ever kissed before? Given the good looks of the leading couple, the project may not be the first word in realism, but it turns out to be a surprisingly winning story. Much of its poignancy stems from the quiet realization that some people never get the chance to enjoy common intimacies, and the reasons can be as complex as they are sad. Elements of the story so seem rather typical, but the lead actors pull you into this light comedy.

And that's what makes the film refreshing and fun. There are some underplayed comic sequences, but that works into the film's gentle feel.

When watching a korean (or asian in general) romantic comedy, we have to understand the meaning of relationship in these cultures. To people from America (the continent, not USA) or Europe this might be very strange; a 25 year old couple that have never been kissed. Intimacy is not to be taken for granted in this kind of society. The male roll is just too primitive, as well as the women's. Technological advance contrasts with its social part. Therefore we see dominant males and masochists women in rolls we know by heart, but the outcome is different. The story of a (not so) young girl, her low selfsteem and her search for love might not be a new one, but the treatment given by the director makes it enjoyable. The plot is weak and sometimes it seems to lead nowhere, and I say it because after the first part of the movie I was waiting for the big first kiss, and it comes right in the last sequence. As I said before, this is an asian film, with this said, the argument seems OK. The photography is sober, nothing fantastic, with nice dolly movements and still camera with pannings. The acting is OK, as well as the casting (the man is a bit too old though). I love korean films, and when watching and judging them I take in consideration the context of its culture. For all those who love the genre might want to check "My Sassy Girl".