님은 먼 곳에

i didn't start watching korean movies until recently. I've seen "My Sassy Girl," "My Tutor Friend," the obligatory romantic comedies and such... but not until recently have I really started appreciating the film industry of my ancestry (i just wanted to use some alliteration there :) ).

Last night, I watched a movie called "님은 먼 곳에".



It's about a woman in a loveless marriage who has a passion for singing. Her husband, broken-hearted by a letter of farewell sent by his real love, decides to enlist during the Vietnam War, and the woman ends up joining a Troop entertaining none-to-do-well band as a singer in hopes of finding him.

She is the center of the film and the plot revolves around her growth and strength as a woman surrounded by males that are constantly looking to take advantage of her.


The music, indicative of the war-torn, identity searching times of Korea in the 70s, is both uplifting and heartbreaking. 수애, the main character, does an incredible job and her band mates, are both culpable, comical, and lovable as the men who first rebuke her, and then later, support her in her search for her husband.

The film is TRULY entertaining, if slightly more obvious. It could have used a bit more character development in terms of the supporting characters... but in the end, it is a one woman show, and as it is, it does a great job of concluding in a satisfyingly open ended way.

Apparently, there are three korean movies that are taking part in the renown Cannes Film festival this year. Just saying, we Korean know how to tell a damn good story.

:)