InFilm to Watch: I Hate Luv Storys (2010)

I Hate Luv Storys (2010)

Jay (Imran Kan) is an assistant film director, but his boss only makes sappy romantic films. Jay is forced to work with a new set designer, Simran, and she loves everything sentimental. Simran falls for Jay, but he does not return her affections, so she returns to her childhood sweetheart Raj. It's not until she's gone that Jay realizes he loves Simran, so he chases her, gets rejected, then has to decide to go for it one last time. Some funny moments when Jay is acting lovey dovey even when he used to make fun of it all.

*Pretty cute film, but it was almost trying too hard NOT to be a cliché. Might watch again.*

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.*

KFilm to Miss: Penny Pinchers (2011)

Penny Pinchers (2011)

*UPDATE* Song Joong-ki plays in the film "A Werewolf Boy" and he is adorable! I knew I liked him when I watched this movie :)

Hong-sil is a cheapskate, taking advantage of every situation possible as she lives an extremely frugal lifestyle. Everyone is going to be evicted from their homes and receive a few thousand dollars to relocate, so Hong-sil pays the landlady to kick out her neighbor Ji-woong early and then rent the apartment to her under Hong-sil's father's name, thus receiving another relocation allowance. Ji-woong is basically a deadbeat, but Hong-sil lets him stay outside her flat and teaches him her frugal ways, and eventually the two start to have feelings for each other. She teaches him to respect the monetary value of things, and he teaches her the value of actually enjoying life.

*There were a few F-bombs in the translation, and while Ji-woong's lovable buffoon act is endearing, the movie didn't quite hit home with me. (I might even look up the actor's history because I wouldn't mind watching him again.) There were mostly sad moments as the couple struggled to earn a living. It wasn't bad, but it's not something I'd want to watch again.*

KFilm to Watch: Fortune Salon (2009)

Fortune Salon (2009)

Tae-rang is a famous fortune teller, but she is bound by destiny to marry a man based on predictions her mother had made when she was young. One day Tae-rang hits a rough, lazy, ugly poor guy with her car – Seung-won – and while filing a claim with her insurance, she finds out his birth date and time matches the prediction her mother had made. Begrudgingly, Tae-rang dates Seung-won, only to discover he had lied about his birth month. In the end, will Tae-rang decide to defy her destiny and love him anyway?

*Might watch again. Seung-won's character was charming.*

KDrama to Watch: To the Beautiful You (2012)

To The Beautiful You (2012)

Grade: B+

16 Episodes

Goo Jae Hee, a Korean girl who grew up in America, decided to join track as a means of boosting her self-confidence, all because of famous Korean high-jumper Kang Tae Joon. She then finds out that her idol sustained a serious injury and has lost his own confidence. As a means of repaying this stranger, she decides to return to Korea and infiltrate his all-male boarding school, disguising herself as a boy and figuring out how to help him fully recover. She is hiding her secret well until her older half-brother Daniel comes to visit, and once he realizes Jae Hee's plot, Daniel demands that she return home to America. Tae Joon overhears everything, but realizing she did all of it for him, he decides to keep Jae Hee's secret. Meanwhile classmate and friend Cha Eun Gyeol is starting to develop feelings for Jae Hee, not knowing she is actually a girl. Will Tae Joon jump again? Will Jae Hee keep her secret?

*I LOVED the quality of cinematography for this drama – it felt and looked like a high-quality film, especially with the smooth camera movements and angles. The music was more so-so, but overall it is higher-caliber than usual for the Korean dramas I've watched. It was interesting seeing a white person as a main character in a Kdrama, too (the half-brother from America). Eun Gyeol's character is especially endearing, and while it does drag in the last few episodes, it's fun, upbeat, and almost cartoonish at times. Top 5 for film quality, top 10 because it drags toward the end.*