Huhwihaji anha

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 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!

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.

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!

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.