User reviews

The English title might be a bit of a spoiler if you will, but it might also prepare for what you are about to see. It's a very strange movie, mixing drama and action in a way, most might not have seen before. It flourishes and cherishes some unique small moments (which are very funny to say the least). It's moments that characters and especially mentality shine through in a big way.

The theme itself will not speak to a mainstream audience obviously, because of what the main characters goes through. Despite that, this is a really good movie, that does not shy away from it's own subject matter and might leave viewers feel a bit uncomfortable too. Fight choreography is good

Man on High Heels is a good muscular and engaged dramatic thriller. Korean ingredients are there: it rains all the time, it fights with brutality and aestheticism, it cries, it laughs, it screams ... A little long and suffering from some weaknesses in the scenario, Man on High Heels is enough audacious and a damn good fist against man virility and machismo !

A cop who kills well bad guys with no guns. Change to his cross dressing. Wants to get a sec change. When the bad guys go after the people he cares about he comes back as bad cop. The things seem awkwardly juxtaposed.

Skip this one. Just shock tactics.

Man On High Heels follows a very tried and tested Korean gangster/cop formula but with a rather unusual quirk. Korean mega star and tuna salesman, Cha Seung Won plays against type as Yoon Ji Wook, a tough detective with a surprising secret. Cha's no mercy, gung-ho, bone breaking cop is about to go through with gender reassignment surgery.

Homosexuality and gender reassignment are topics rarely touched upon in mainstream Korean movies and all credit must be given for a serious attempt at broaching an oft ignored issue. Cha does put in a very good performance lurching from a deadly fighting force to an emotionally drained and confused individual struggling with his own identity. However the film is rather uneven; the emotional impact of the scenes illustrating Cha's treatment jar against the stereotypical ultra violence. Though the fight scenes are well staged they distract from the drama which should be the focus of the film. The story loses its pace and way in the last quarter and the ending is horribly predictable. An admirable attempt and a good performance by Cha but overall the film is a disappointment.

Its so weird seeing how this movie can be related by many people. I guess movies are more life-like when it reminds you of yourself in a way? I felt the actor deeply unlike any other movie i watched, maybe being able to understand the actor makes it seem more relatable. Having the urge to transition and liking someone who you cant be with is something i faced/facing, the movies second half turned into positive where people respected her but then became negative just like how you want to transition but then theres things holding you back. Dispite having the money which wasint rightfully earned but he still couldnt transition just feels so sad, i so happy for her but the joy was so shortlived. I regret watching this movie cause of the ending, she didnt transition and dint follow her dreams, kinda reminds of me, ye i hate this movie, i absolutely hate it.