The Royal Tailor Movie Review

Title: The Royal Tailor
AKA: Sanguiwon
Genre: Drama
Origin: South Korea
Release Date: December 24, 2014
Cast: Han Suk Kyu, Go Soo, Park Shin Hye, Yoo Yeon Seok, Ma Dong Seok, Shin So Yul, Lee Yu Bi, Jo Dal Hwan,

The movie depicts the love lives, jealousies and desires of those that work within the Sanguiwon during the Joseon Dynasty period. The Sanguiwon are responsible for the attire worn by royalty. Dol Seok (Han Suk Kyu) is the best master artisan in charge of royal attire. He views set rules as paramount to his job. Kong Jin (Go Soo) is a genius like designer, born with dexterity and an excellent sense. He was brought to the palace by nobleman Pan Soo (Ma Dong Seok) who first spotted his talent. The King (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Queen (Parj Shin Hye) then become embroiled in a critical case because of the royal attire made by Dol Seok and Kong Jin.

As you probably can see from the rating I gave this movie, I REALLY liked it. Towards the end it literally gave me goosebumps, to be able to do that just by a Hanbok (korean traditional clothes) proves how well-made and thought-through this movie was, it was a right choice by the director in having invested so much money into the dresses. It really brings out the beautifull and elegant style there was inside and outside the palace under the Joseon time. The relationship between Dol Seok and Kong Jin was like fire and water, but they still held the fun tone between them, until as expected with Sageuk, it escalates quickly to a different tone. Somehow, I was invested enough with the characters to follow with the tone. They are men of art, and they understood each other well, but unfortunately, their background and values differ greatly, putting them at odds with each other. I liked Park Shin Hye as the queen. She's all class, so having her in a role where she may be looked at pitifully but still holds her elegance and class with dignity makes it perfect for her. Top notch cast of actors from top to bottom! I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

The Technicians Movie Review

Title: The Technicians

AKA: The Con Artists

Genre: Action, Crime,

Origin: South Korea

Release Date: December 24, 2014

Cast: Kim Woo Bin, Lee Hyun Woo, Kim young Cheol, Ko Chang Seok, Jung Man Sik, Jo Yoon Hee, Lim Ju Hwan, Shin Goo

Ji-Hyeok (Kim Woo-Bin) is an elite safe-cracker and counterfeiter. He works with Koo-In (Ko Chang-Seok) who introduces him to elite hacker Jong-Bae (Lee Hyun-Woo). There's rumors that Jong-Bae has betrayed other partners in his past. Nevertheless, the trio decide to work together to steal valuable diamonds held within a secret vault at a high-end jewelry store. The jewelry store is owned by President Jo (Kim Young-Chul). Meanwhile, President Jo is in search of an elite safe-cracker to help him steal millions of dollars stored within a Korean customs area in Incheon, South Korea. When he found out about Ji-Hyeok genius talent, he knew he was the one to help him succeed his mission.

This movie has a great plot and very mind blowing, it had so many twists that in the end I was so confused at what happened. Nevertheless, don’t worry, they wrap it up in a way that there is nothing to miss. I won’t get started at how amazing and praiseworthy Kim Woo Bin is, because we all know how awesome he is. He nail every role and character he gets no matter what, so Kim woo bin fan or not you will definitely fall for his charm in this movie (I’m specifically talking about that smirk face he does all the time gah!). Not to forget his two partners, they were really a spontaneous group of people. I liked their chemistry a lot. I don’t think I should be allowed to say more or else I’ll spoil something unknowingly! Definitly a great watch, so if you are reading this now and haven’t watched it, go get the movie ASAP!

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Running Man Movie Review

Title: Running Man
Genre: action, comedy
Origin: South Korea
Release date: April 14, 2013
Cast: Shin Ha Kyun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Sang Ho, Jo Eun Ji, Oh Jung Se, Joo Hyun, Jung Suk Yong, Kim Eui Sung, Park Sang Wook . . .

 Cha Jong Woo (Shin Ha Kyun) is a former criminal, a pretty small criminal, who got a son as an 18 year old. Now his son, Cha Gi Hyuk (Lee Min Ho), is a high schooler and Jong Woo works as both a cab driver and a mechanic at an auto repair garage, to supply for them. One night while driving cab a costumer jumps into his cab and offers him great money. Jong Woo blinded by easy money offers to be the costumer's driver and gives him his number. They make a stop at a place and while the costumer is out to ship something, Jong Woo goes to the bathroom. He returns to the cab and the costumer is in the car waiting. So they head on to the next destination. They arrive at a parking lot and Joong Won notices that the costumer is not awake, so he gets out to help him thinking he is drunk or so. But then he suddenly sees that the costumer is dead. Right at that moment a security guard passes by and sees that something is wrong. This whole thing even got filmed by the CCTV and Jong Woo is now the prime suspect. He starts running away and soon recieves a weird message, from the dead costumer's phone, the picture of the Eiffel Tower. This picture is worth more than he thinks and he is now chased by both the police and a group of men trying to get his phone.

I reeeallly enjoyed this movie. It is so much fun while still having that thrill. It is sad, serious, thrilling and fun all at once. This movie didn't get very good rating (3 out of 10 by Film Business Asia) which I in one hand understand and in other dont. I think maybe the movie is not on the same level as, let's say Thieves, but it is definetely better than many asian action movies Ive seen! It was exciting and funny the whole time. I really do recommend this movie if you like action, thrill and comedy. Its a movie you would enjoy on a weekend evening. It might not be for those that arent too crazy about the genre. But it worked for me. And the action scenes were quite alright. There was quite a lot of falling and you start thinking shouldnt there be some broken arms/legs by now hahah but there isn't and flying (Thank God!).

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Secretly Greatly Movie Review

Title: Secretly Greatly
AKA:  Covertness (Literal title)
Genre: Action, comedy
Origin: South Korea
Release Date: June 5, 2013
Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Park Ki Woong, Lee Hyun Woo, Son Hyun Joo, Kim Sung Kyun, Park Hye Sook, Go Chang Seok, Jang Gwang, Shin Jung Geun, Hong Kyung In, Lee Chae Young, Park Eun Bin, Choi Woo Shik, Joo Hyun . . .

A group of youngsters have been trained by the North Korean elite forces since they were kids, in order to become a secret spies, whom even the people at the top do not know about. Lieutenant Won Ryu Hwan (Kim Soo Hyun), a top agent, is on a mission in South Korea, he disguised himself as the village idiot Bang Dong Gu, and has spent two years, pretending to be a fool, while monitering the situation, though there is not much to monitor. He has amazing fighting skills as well as speaks 5 languages, yet he doesn't get to use them very much. All of this he does only because he believe that his mother is being protected by the government. As two years passes, another member of the secret spy group arrives at the same village, Rhee Hae Rang (Park Ki Woong). Hae Rang disguises himself as a rock star, yet to make his debute, so he goes around auditioning to become a star. As soon as he arrives, Ryu Hwan thinks there is something wrong, why would they send a spy where there is another spy, unless there is something going on. Things get even more fishy when their student/dongsaeng spy Rhee Hae Jin (Lee Hyun Woo) is sent to the village to check upon both of them. What is going on suddenly after no notice for 2 years? Is there a great mission coming, or are they in danger?

This movie starts of with comedy, however! (you know where im going with this) - It certainly changes your mood halfway through. It's very light in the beginning but you end up really wondering about their lives. And yes of course, it's typical since this is a north korea vs south korea movie, and yes north korea is not portrayed very positively. It get's really tough and almost meaningless. You just end up thinking "what the heck!". It is pretty terrible, especially since these "boys" are so young, and yet have these lives. The positive about it, ehmm hello~ pretty handsome boys/young men. What do I say, I loved Park Ki Woong's acting again, brought me back to bridal mask. And Kim Soo Hyun of course, amazing job. I really feel he is getting better and better at acting. This is only my second time seeing Lee Hyun Woo (first time in Equator Man and liked him since that) well I dont know how much I can say, I wasnt super impressed by his acting. The fighting scenes were great EXCEPT for those typical flying jump scenes that ruin the whole thing (for me!) and yeah dont you break your arm if it gets hit by a metal pole!? I guess not if you're Kim Soo Hyun. I recommend it, it's funny most of the time, with a serious note, it shows the lives of young agent.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

A Werewolf Boy Movie Review

Title: A Werewolf Boy
AKA: Wolf Boy, Neukdae Sonyeon
Genre: Fantasy, romance, melodrama
Origin: South Korea
Release date: 31st October 2012
Cast: Song Joong Ki, Park Bo Young, Lee Young Lan, Jang Young Nam, Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Hyang Gi, Yoo Sung Mok, Seo Dong Soo, Woo Jeong Guk, Gu Bon Im, Nam Jung Hee, Ahn Do Gyu, Shin Bi. . .

Suni (Park Bo Young) is a young girl who lives with her mother and her younger sister, she doesn't go to school because she has been sick. Her family decides to move to the countryside in order for her to get better. Ji Tae (Yoo Yeon Seok), the son  of her deceased father's friend buys them a house, in which a man used to study dogs died. One day as Suni and her mother are doing some chores around the house, Suni spots something by the house. At first they think it is an animal but realise it's a young boy (Song Joong Ki). They give some food to him and take him into their house. The young boy does not talk, doesn't really seem to understand what they are saying either, and behaves extremely unusually, like a wolf. They take him to the doctter and to the police in order to find out who he is, but do not get much information, and decide to take care of him for the time. Meanwhile, Suni, who is not delighted about the mannerless boy, finds an old book about dog training, she decides to take the case in her hand, teaching him how to behave. She names him Chul Soo and the two grow in affection for each other. However Ji Tae starts making trouble for them, which makes it hard for Chul Soo to control his nature as a wolf boy.

First of all I found the acting to be extraordinary, Joong Ki blows you away with his acting of a wolf boy. He does it so well that he makes it hard for you to recognize him. He does not really have any lines, so he must have put it all in his acting and body language. Park Bo Young as well, great acting, I am thinking of a specific scene right now which makes your hair rise. The theme of course we have seen a few times before and I kept having this one story in my head which made me expect things to go differently but then it took this very fictional turn, which at first I didn't like, but then I thought, wait I keep thinking of the other story, so if I judge this story for itself I understand it much better, and so I liked it anyway. I don't know why but the way the movie was made felt not so korean. Maybe I've watched a lot of bad korean movies lol. But very well done, I recommend it! It's cute story with a lot of cute moments, it is long but does not feel very long, since it is quite interresting.

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts