Huhwihaji anha

I recently purchased this film from dvdfromkorea.com & I have no hesitation in saying that it's one of the best films to have come out of South Korea in the last few years - and certainly the most memorable gay-themed Korean movie. It's also proof that a miniscule budget (of reportedly just US$100,000!) needn't compromise artistic standards. The acting is wonderful (including the superbly talented Lee Young Hoon, who is simply heartbreaking), and Leesong Hee-il's script and direction are top-notch - all the more remarkable when one considers that this was the first feature-length film for both men. Yes, the film does take an unexpected narrative shift toward the end - one that may strike some first-time viewers as implausible - but subsequent viewings should enhance one's understanding of the reasons for this change. And while it's also true that the English subtitles could have been better, I certainly had no difficulty following them.

A great film - and one that I've returned to many times. I can't wait to see what the very gifted Leesong Hee-il comes up with next.

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.

The one negative review here (at this writing) says a lot more about the reviewer than it does the movie. Someone who complains about the lack of nudity in this film was looking for something completely different. The art of this superb film flew directly over his head.

This story of obsessive love and desire between two guys who are at opposite ends of the economic and social scale is haunting and beautiful. I watched it. I thought about it for an hour or so. Then I had to watch it again to make sure the film was as good as it seemed.

It is. This story is completely unpredictable. It's kind of amazing that you're pretty sure you know where the story is headed, and then it takes a turn that knocks the wind out of you.

This is a first rate production--acting, script, cinematography, everything. I think this is going to bump something off my top ten gay-themed film list. But I will watch again to make sure. That's how watchable it is.

For me, this film depicts a time and place and circumstances that I am more than willing to get lost in.

An orphan's love story with a son of rich businessman. This is not unusual, but I like the character of su-min, he is very natural as a straight-acting gay guy. The depiction of the sea landscape is also very representative of the story. And when the story was almost slided by a korean twist of thriller, i held my breath. Then it turns out ok. Well, I was hoping something in between of suspense and happy-ending drama, though.

I was very surprised at the quality of this film. Script, direction and performances were superb. It is a gritty, often violent romance between two young men of different classes and the love that almost destroys them.

Su-Min is an 18 year old orphan who comes to the city of Seoul, Korea to find work so that he can put himself through college and gain an education. He works at a variety of jobs, one of which is a car service. Here he meets the tortured Jae-Min Song, a wealthy closeted young man, who is trapped by his parents into a soon to be heterosexual wedding.

Jae-Min falls hard for Su-Min, who rejects him because of his contempt for the rich and careless. When Su-Min loses his jobs, he turns to a life of prostitution in an all-male brothel, where Jae-Min tracks him down as a client, only further gaining Su-Min's contempt.

It is Jae-Min's true love and constant pursuit of Su-Min that finally wins him over. The jaded Su-Min allows himself to return the love, but the road to happiness is paved with many pitfalls, all arising out of the class hatred and opposite backgrounds of the two protagonists.

The film's first half occurs almost always at night in murky and oftentimes unpleasant locations. When love blossoms it is all sunlight playing over naked bodies. Then night falls once again.

The script is very believable in depicting the conflicts of the main characters, although it has some plot continuity problems at times. The subtitles are poorly written and spelled, but one can grasp what is happening at all times.

Both Lee Young-hoon as Su-Min and Kim Nam-gil as Jae-Min turn in extraordinary emotional performances - every nuance from elation to grief is superbly expressed. Director-writer Leesong Hee-il in his first feature has the firm control over every detail of a veteran film director and does an astonishing job here.

This is the best gay-themed film to come out of Asia and the Pacific Islands thus far and is close to masterpiece status. One of the great film experiences for gay audiences.