Slow and Steady

"This is a Genre Possible Only in Japan!" The Essence of Absurdist Comedy The single thought lingering in my head throughout the movie was, "Whose head did this concept come from?" The movie Hell's Garden (Jigok-no-hanazono) is a work that encapsulates the unique B-grade sensibility of Japanese culture, also known as the "sick taste" (byeongmat) code. The direction feels like comic book imagination transferred directly to the screen, and the actors' acting—which is funnier because it is so serious—makes the viewer let out a wry smile before eventually getting sucked into that worldview. It confirms once again that this is a distinct domain that Hollywood or Korean cinema wouldn't dare attempt, one that only the Japanese film industry can digest. It is the birth of a truly "mind-boggling" movie with zero realism but a substantial pleasure derived from its brazen setting. Continuing the Lineage of School Violence Films? An Office Versio...

A Pleasant Surprise from Channel A Dramas, Landing High on Netflix Compared to other terrestrial broadcasters or comprehensive programming channels, Channel A produces significantly fewer dramas. Because of this, it is common for even drama fans to miss the fact that a new drama has started on Channel A. However, the atmosphere is different this time. As soon as the new weekend drama The Baby Has Arrived (literal translation) was released on Netflix, it vomited a spirit (showed impressive power) of rising to 5th place in 'Today's Top 10 Series in South Korea.' It is even more surprising because this achievement was made solely through word of mouth and the ripple effect of the OTT platform without much special promotion. I also discovered it by chance while browsing Netflix, and the moment I clicked, I started binge-watching it in one breath due to the unstoppable immersion. It is the protagonist of a pleasant surprise that feels like discovering a hidden gem. Verified Web ...

Dreaming of a Korean 'Thelma & Louise', The Birth of a Rare Female Buddy Movie When we say "Buddy Movie" in the film industry, we usually picture two male protagonists bickering while solving a case. From the masterpiece of Korean cinema history Two Cops to numerous recent detective films, this genre has been regarded as the exclusive property of men. It is a reality that buddy movies where women are the subjects leading the narrative can be counted on one hand. Globally, director Ridley Scott's Thelma & Louise is revered as the bible of female buddy movies, showing a perfect narrative arc along with a charming villain played by Brad Pitt. The movie Project Y is a work that ambitiously throws down the gauntlet in this barren market of Korean female buddy movies, featuring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, the two hottest actresses in their 20s right now. I visited the theater with both anticipation and concern about whether this movie could open a new horizon ...

The Dignity of K-Romance, The Whole World Falls in Love at Once The Netflix original series Can This Love Be Translated? has caused an unusual box office sensation, entering the Top 10 in 76 countries worldwide from the very first day of its release. Now, "Korean Romance Drama" has established itself beyond a simple trend in Asia as a definitive box office genre trusted by the world. It is proof once again of the potential of K-Romance, which touches upon the universal emotion of excitement in the most sophisticated and sensory way, crossing barriers of language and culture. In particular, this work is receiving explosive responses in Western countries such as South America and Europe immediately after its release, proving that the unique sorrowful emotional lines and witty humor codes of Korean dramas are passing as a global standard. While the Korean Wave was limited to specific regions in the past, the current phenomenon of targeting home theaters worldwide simultaneously ...