This review may contain spoilers
I've watched this a long time ago, but I came back to watch it after completing Sweet 18 and I probably enjoyed it less this time though it still has its moments. I do have a few spoilerish parts in Story review below so be warned.Story (6.0):
It's got all the elements of a fun movie and the setup is okay. There are little parts throughout the film which are fun to watch; however, I couldn't help but gripe at the two main characters. I don't like how they act in the movie and I don't find their connection very convincing.
Let me compare it to Sweet 18 because I think that did a much better job. First off, I know I can't truly compare the two because Sweet 18 got the full 16 episodes to show them fall in love. But it didn't take that long to show it, and it started out with one character already crushing on the other which I thought was a good idea. Here neither particularly likes the other at first, but at least they've known each other their whole lives.
My main gripe was the tension they threw into the movie with dating while married. A similar concept came into play in Sweet 18 but I thought it was handled a lot better. Since the female already liked the male lead in the drama, it was natural for her (especially considering her already developed character traits) to get angry at him for supposed female meet ups and after threatening to go meet guys (to which he replies 'alright!' in a huff) to keep her word and go on a blind date. But that doesn't go very far, and she gets a dressing down from her mother which ends up playing into a major character development arc that she has throughout the drama.
However, in My Little Bride, I couldn't understand the FL. I understand her liking the guy before she got married, and can even condone her playing a little bit with her feelings, but as it went on and her friend kept prodding her how it wasn't right, I just got annoyed with the character and it left little endearment towards her.
Then there's the main guy, who was almost more unlikable in my opinion. He's displayed in the movie as a playboy (and pervert if Bo Eun is to be believed), and there isn't much to convince you he's changed until maybe the very end. Compare this to the traditionally raised and mature lead from Sweet 18 who tells his ex-girlfriend, long before he's in love with his wife I might add, that he doesn't want her to come visit him because his wife wouldn't like it. This is while he is still apparently wrestling with old feelings for that ex. Of course, this lends to less of a potential character development arc for him, but he still gets one and he doesn't get stuck as a jerk in my brain.
Fortunately however, there were a few scenes in the movie with the two getting along and getting to know each other better that didn't make the ending too jarring. I think I'm just having trouble liking it after just finishing Sweet 18.
Acting/Cast (6.5):
I think the hardest part of the cast for me is that I don't like Kim Rae Won a whole lot especially in this role. He's okay 12 years later in Doctors, but I still can't claim I like him. Moon Geun Young on the other hand is not a genius, but I enjoy watching her act. The side cast was okay, but I love her friend Hye Won played by Shin Se Kyung! She didn't have a major major role, but she was the voice of reason when Bo Eun was being stupid, and I love Shin Se Kyung from other dramas (Girl Who Sees Smells).
Music (5.0):
Not distracting or detracting, but not notable or intriguing...
Rewatch Value (6.5):
I've actually watched this twice now, though I skipped the boring parts on the second time through... I don't think I can watch it very often, because I didn't like it the second time through as much as I remembered, but that also might be because I just finished Sweet 18 which I thought did a much better job with a very similar premise.
Overall (6.0):
Maybe someday I'll come back and watch the fun parts again, but actually I'll probably just go watch my favorite parts from Sweet 18. Literally, I don't know how they aren't related, they have so many similarities. Anyway, if you're looking for something cute and a bit mindless, go ahead and treat yourself. I've also just watched Moon Geun Young's Innocent Steps and I'd recommend this story over that one. EH, I didn't intend to write so much about this movie.
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This review may contain spoilers
Rare modern arranged marriage
8/10 is my rating. This is a 2004 South Korean romance movie 115 minutes in length.The movie is about a 16 year old high school student and the boy she grew up around. Both the girl Bo-eun (Moon Geun-young) and the boy Sang-min (Kim Rae-won) really love the grandfather enough to grant his wish to see them married before he dies. Their marriage also fulfills a pact Sang-min’s grandfather and Bo-eun’s grandfather’s made with each other during the Korean War which was to unite their families through marriage. Bo-eun wants to please her grandfather but, despite the marriage, continues with her high school life by dating her crush, the school’s star baseball player, Jun woo. Sang-Min actually loves his young wife and ignores her hurtful behavior realizing she is extremely young and was not ready for marriage. Things are further complicated when Sang-min does an art internship at Bo-eun’s school and the two agree to hide their relationship. Over time Sang-min’s patience and kindness toward Bo-eun to cause her feelings of resentment fade and she remembers the love she felt for the boy that was always b her side.
Spoiler ? I really liked this and thought it was cute for what it was. In movie form the story felt very rushed but I am more used to the deep character development and evolutions that occur in tv series. My mother was 15 and my father 18 when they married and I married my husband at 18 so that part was not strange for me at all. Just 35 years ago it was not at all strange even in the western world to have a young woman date or marry someone several years older. I saw Moon Geu-young in “Mary Stayed Out All Night” and enjoyed her performance in that role as well. Seeing this one cleared up why she is known as “Korea’s Little Sister“ as she did seem incredibly young in this one. I enjoyed it despite it feeling rushed.
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You can't compare it to today's movies because of that 14 yrs gap and at that time Korean film making was not as good as what it is now. The only thing i didn't like in this movie was that, movie was only revolving around the main leads. It is the right thing to do, but that would have been much better if they had shown about characters too.
Overall i'm giving it 7.5/10 this is not the best movie but definitely worth a shot.
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Acting/Cast: The actors and actresses are all good the characters have a lot of interesting traits for themselves.
Music: I didn't pay much attention
Re-watch Value: If are looking for a movie to watch on a weekend or you're just bored this is a great romance story time killer
Overall: The movie was good and I would watch it to kill time
Where to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Okx00Ij7ho or Dramanice
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I know some Western viewers were turned off by the plot with the underage girl, but seriously the romance in this was VERY innocent and appropriate for the supposed age of the female lead. The 2 leads go way back and the husband is not the player he tries to make himself out to be. He is very caring and understanding towards his new bride who is understandably reluctant due to her age. She just wants to be a teenage girl with a crush on the star baseball player. It takes her a little time to realize she may just have feelings for her husband after all.
Overall, I enjoyed this movie and would watch it again sometime.
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Must watch!
Okay, I’m in love with this movie!!! I’ve watched it over 5 times and I can’t get over it!! It’s so cute!! Now I know what most people are thinking. “Omg that’s so gross! How can a 15 year old and a teacher get married and live together!?”.Listen, it’s not as inappropriate as it sounds!
1. They were forced by his grandfather as his last wish.
2. They didn’t do anything too bad with each other.
3. They grew up with each other so they have seen, heard, and smelled (you know what I mean?) everything about each other! It’s nothing new or unusual to them! (Which is why they’re more friendlier with each other then most people would be).
I really want people to give this movie a chance because I can GUARANTEE you will love it!! And if by chance you don’t like it, then move on. You didn’t pay to watch it so it’s fine!
This will forever be my ultimate favorite movie out of all movies of every culture, race, and language I’ve ever seen put together.
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(Music is 1 because I can't remember what the music was like.)
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