InFilm to Miss: Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl (2011)

Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl (2011)

A cross between “Catch Me If You Can” (2002) and “John Tucker Must Die” (2006), this romantic comedy tells the story of con man Ricky Bahl and his lifestyle of wooing rich women and cheating them out of thousands of dollars. One day he crosses paths with Raina, an outspoken businesswoman, selling her a fake painting to hang in her building. She then vents her anger on the news, and two other women, Dimple and Saira call Raina to let her know they think the same man conned them. Raina hatches a plan to catch the “bloody scoundrel” with the other girls' help and enlists the help of her friend Ishika, a salesgirl with excellent conning skills of her own. Will Ricky's reign of thievery come to an end, or will the girls lose even more money in his greatest scheme ever?

*While this film was fun, I don't think Ricky was punished enough (or at all) for his misdeeds. I had the urge to slap this character at several points. The ending was unique but not really believable because he doesn't lose. There was some kissing, which is nice, and some language, but because of how it all ends, I wouldn't watch it again.*

KFilm to Miss: Sunny (2011)

Sunny (2011)

Wife and mother Im Na-mi is visiting her mother in the hospital when she happens to pass the room of her former high school classmate, Ha Chun-hwa. She has cancer, only has two months left to live, and she was the leader of their high school group of friends. Na-mi then takes it upon herself to reunite their old gang, “Sunny,” and half the movie is told in flashbacks as the group slowly reunites. In the process, Na-mi rediscovers herself and her life is enriched.

*Mixed feelings about this film. There are over two dozen F-bombs and lots of other swearing throughout, plus it is a bittersweet film as the friend with cancer does in fact die during the course of the movie. The way the plot was woven with back story was very interesting, though, and it speaks to the heart of true friendship – for the good times and the bad. I don't think I'd watch this again simply because it makes me too sad.*

KDrama to Miss: 12 Signs of Love (2012)

12 Signs of Love/Twelve Men in a Year (2012) 

Grade: D-

16 Episodes

Magazine reporter Mi Roo breaks up with her boyfriend Jin Oh and drunkenly writes an article about it as the famous Sophia, a fickle writer that had signed a contract to submit articles to the XX magazine. Mi Roo's editor in chief prints the article, it receives rave reviews, and Mi Roo then has to continue writing the monthly column since the real Sophia decides to breach contract and leave the country instead of write. The editor in chief gets the idea to make the “erotic column” focusing on a year of Sophia's dates, one article for each zodiac sign. Mi Roo doesn't actually end up sleeping with 12 different men; some of the dating ends before that point is reached, Mi Roo's editor submits one article, Mi Roo's friend ends up dating another zodiac sign for her, and so on. Jin Oh finds out about Mi Roo posing as Sophia and interferes with some of her dates – will they get back together by the end?

*This is a very unusual format for a Kdrama, since it straight up promotes promiscuity, and because the episodes were only 45 minutes long instead of the usual 65. I wouldn't watch this again or recommend it. There were some humorous parts and there were some cute actors, but overall I just didn't like it. I think it's because the buildup just wasn't there with all the sleeping around going on.*