Wanee and Junah - 戀愛素描

Wanee and Junah (戀愛素描) is 2001 film out of Korea. The film stars Kim Hee-sun and Joo Jin-mo.

The movie is about a relationship of convenience for Wanee, played by Kim Hee-sun, and Junah, played by Joo Jin-mo. Wanee is an animator in a predominately male profession and Junah is a struggling screenwriter. We see the two in the same house that Wanee grew up in. The two seem to float through life together, no matter the ups and downs. However, when Wanee's half brother returns, things get interesting. Because of Wanee's taboo crush on her half brother. How will Wanee decide?

I rented this movie from my local Chinese video store back in 2002. The movie had been dubbed into Mandarin. I picked it up mainly for Kim Hee-sun. Because Kim Hee-sun is amazing beautiful and this film doesn't try to hide it either. But the story was very slow paced and than the whole half brother thing came up.

A very good watch indeed. Kim Hee-sun is a sight to behold and the movie itself is pretty darn good. But be prepared to put your thinking cap on.

Bichunmoo - 飛天舞

Bichunmoo (飛天舞) is a 2000 film out of Korea. The film stars Kim Hee-sun and Shin Hyun-jun. At the time of the films release, it had been the most expensive Korean film to make.

The movie is about Shin Hyun-jun as Jin. Jin is a descent of a long line of great martial artists. Jin grows up with Sullie, played by Kim Hee-sun. The two fall in love. But Jin's bloodline would prevent him from staying around. Sullie is married off to another noble and Jin wants to kill Sullie's father.

Lots of fighting happens. Lots of background stories are also explored.

When I went looking for this film in 2001, it was very much hyped because it was the first big wuxia film from Korea and the lead lady, Kim Hee-sun, was amazingly beautiful.

Was I disappointed? Yes. The story was quite hard to follow and the fighting seemed a little d-list. Would "wuxia" type films from Korean improve in the future, you bet your heart out. But as the first major entry into the wuxia genre, this was acceptable. But by wuxia standards, it was quite cheezy.