Huhwihaji anha

This movie gave me one of those very rare and difficult to describe experiences, where I was completely riveted during the film, then literally ecstatic afterward thanks to the artistic brilliance on display here. I saw it at the San Francisco Frameline film festival 6/07. Maybe my experience was personal, and maybe I just enjoyed the movie more than anyone in the audience that night, I really can't say. But wow! I wanted to jump for joy when it was over. So unique, inventive, fascinating, unexpected, beautifully acted (beautiful in all senses of the word), and with direction so insanely brilliant it was a gift to this movie lover. There are some great films coming out of S. Korea; this is one. See it if you can.

I just finished watching this movie and I don't have words to summarize the emotion it places on you, the roller coaster ride of ups and downs and twists. I have never seen anything like this movie. The last 30 minutes of this film is unlike anything I have ever seen or experienced in a movie in my entire life. The visuals of the last 30 minutes -- I've never seen anything like that -- I've never had that kind of emotional experience from a film. There are so many scenes in this movie that stay with you, that pull at you, that are universal. You don't need to be gay, or Korean, or anything like the characters in this film because the emotions and experiences are universal, shared by everyone.

It is a must see. Do not doubt for a moment the payback you will receive from locating, buying and spending two hours with this movie.

If anyone connected to this movie's distribution or production is reading this -- please put out a high definition version of the DVD. Please!

NO REGRET (HUHWIHAJI ANHA) is an impressive film from Korea, especially in that it is the first venture for writer/director Hee-il Leesong who gives evidence of not only a his ability to create a film that examines life in Korea in a verismo style, but also knows how to cast and direct a crew of actors in a polished manner. He is most assuredly a new artist to watch.

NO REGRET takes many chances with the story of Korean orphans growing to the age of self- sufficiency without the guidance of parents, fending out a life with the sole support of their fellow orphans. The boys in this story come from the country with little exposure to the city life of Seoul and the tough choices that must be made to survive. The other side of the story reflects the wealthy young men who come from homes burdened with high expectations and preordained 'lives' of inheriting the family business, marrying the right girl, continuing the level of 'sophistication' to which they were born. NO REGRET places a member of each of these disparate groups together and the impact of opposite backgrounds is the thread that weaves so well through this love story.

Lee Su-min (the remarkably gifted newcomer Young-hoon Lee) is the orphan who works at menial jobs until he finds a source of good money as a rent boy in a company called XLarge. Su-min adapts well as he is apparently comfortable with his sexuality: his fellow ex-orphans who work at XLarge present the gamut of types that find prostitution monetarily if not emotionally rewarding. At a chance encounter Su-Min meets Song Jae-min (Nam-gil Kim) and while the attraction is one sided at first, Jae-min is bound by family expectations to marry and take over the family business and has not come to grips with his sexuality. Fear and recognition of class differences keeps Su-min from responding to the near stalking Jae- min, but eventually the attraction blossoms and differences seem to disappear. The two young men have found love, but Jae-min must cope with the expectations of his family - the results being devastating to both men in different ways. How the relationship works through this rocky road is the essence of the film and to discuss the ending would be to destroy the impact of the film.

Every aspect of this film - writing, directing, acting, lighting, music, editing - is first rate. No one who sees this film will be able to escape the impact of the characterization by Young- hoon Lee: his screen presence is magnetic and his range of acting is solid. He definitely is a rising star. As for writer/director Hee-il Leesong, here is a man who not only knows the art of story telling but also the sensitive insight as to the parameters of both economy and exposition when each element of the story calls. Highly recommended. Grady Harp

Su-min is a poor country boy raised in an orphanage who goes to the big city and gets a job working in a factory in Seoul. He also does odd jobs to make ends meet and one night while working as a driver meets a man Jae-min who propositions him. Su-min soon discovers that the Jae-min is the son of the plant owner and that he's being laid-off. While the son attempts to save his job, Su-min rejects the offer and walks out.

Shortly thereafter he finds himself working in a boydello and the rich man has tracked him down. Also working at the boydello is a jaded Hustler named Jung-tae who's only working where he is so that he can make a lot of cash to spend on his girlfriend. Later we meet another young country orphan who comes to work at the boydello and wins the affections of a local policeman.

With the story of how this life changes these three young men as a backdrop we see the relationship between Su-min and Jae-min grow from a stalker relationship to something more only to have Jae-min's parents intercede with plans of their own.

The subtitling could be better and some of the plot developments seemed to be somewhat abrupt, (at least to an occidental mind) but overall the film is watchable and better than most Korean gay films that I've seen. Some additional character development would have helped as well.

I saw this movie at PIGLFF (Philadelphia film festival). It was an incredible movie and I am so glad that it finally made it to DVD. It is one of the best GLBT Asian films to come out in the past 5 years. I judge a movie on whether it is worth paying full price/matinée/Netflix/"can't give it away" and this movie is definitely worth paying full price to watch. Some may comment it is over the top but American viewers have to remember that Asian sensibilities and their respective story lines are different. This movie is so worth watching and enjoying. I will admit the movie is a bit slow in parts but the overall product is highly satisfying. The actors do an amazing job especially the main protagonist, Lee Su-Min (played by the very cute Lee Young-Hoon). To get the full effect of this movie or any sub-titled movie, it is worth watching twice to capture anything that you miss. You won't be disappointed in watching this!