I watched this movie because it played at the cinema when it was the world movies festival. It was the only Korean movie so I didn't chose to watch this movie because the trailer was good or because I've hear it's good.
One moment there was a smile on my face, the other moment my eyes were teary. It's a story that hits the hart.
In the beginning the writer doesn't give us all the information we need to know what's Han Gong-Ju's mystery story and background. The flashbacks tell us what we wanted, or maybe didn't want to know.
This movie is a little different. It's not the average Korean movie. What I like the most about the movie is the feeling I get from it. The movie/story feels 'real'. In Korean drama we often get a lot of lovey-dovy dramas and a lot of cry-with-buckets movies. But most of them are unreal and we let them go when finishing the story. Sometimes the truth is harsh. This one still stays in my mind, even if it's a few day ago that I watched it.
The actors don't get a lot of make-up which shows the real beautiful Korean beauty. It's Chun Woo Hee second main role, I have never seen her act before but I'm totally convinced of her great acting skills. You'll see that she's very talented. The supporting roles were also really good. I'm looking forward to more of these good actors and other works of the director. I'm definitely a fan!
The rewatch score is only a 4 because I think the movie is at it's best watching it for the first time because of the stepwise construction of the story.
I think the director, the writer and the actors did a great job. I really recommend this movie.
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While the director deserves acknowledgment of his dedication to this story and in bringing it to the spotlight, there are areas of the film where there was need for a more skilled, tighter hand. Nonlinear storytelling and an unreliable protagonists causes some confusion for viewers, especially those who might not be a native Korean speaker. Yet the overall moody and haunting atmosphere highlighted by a skilled use of light and music accentuates the ultimate tragedy of the film.
This is not a film that most people would rewatch; pre-knowledge of Gong Ju's story leaves the audience emotionally wracked and exhausted even before the first few minutes of the film. However, it is an important film all the same.
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This review may contain spoilers
Us walking along in those indifferent (?) shoes of Han Gong-ju is the great power of this KMovie
Among independent South Korean film productions, “Han Gong-ju” is considered one of the most successful to date. In fact, the number of viewers exploded within the first week - through word of mouth alone. In addition to this vote with feet, there were consistently positive (national and international) film reviews and awards."Han Gong-ju" offers relentlessly haunting independent KMovie quality, frugal, not easy to digest, yet calmly, subtly and sensitively told, too. Behind the seemingly indifferent attitude of the protagonist, highly concentrated emotional force blazes subliminally, which is released less in the protagonist herself than within the audience. By the way, the story is based on a true story. (More background below - but that's quite a spoiler... so if you want to watch the film, you might want to read it afterwards!)
The KMovie tells the story of the fictional Hang Gong-ju in a rather reserved manner. We initially follow the girl without knowing what it is about or what she actually has experienced. Over time we learn to understand, or better: vaguely guess what she was and is going through. Over 112 minutes we see and experience the world vaguely through her eyes. This is a great power of this KMovie. The girl´s everyday world is fundamentally threatening, unwelcoming and cold, almost merciless. Han Gong-ju herself is tough and clear, demure and mostly indifferent. (Hang Gong-ju may by now have learned to face her world with indifference, but we as audience? We may feel differently here and there…) Nevertheless, she also has learned to create islands in her life that offer at least some minimalist beauty, joy and perspective.
What happened and is happening to Hang-Gong-ju admits of no excuse. But unfortunately it happens everywhere. Not just in South Korea. Unfortunately, again and again, more and more often. *
The role of adults is also inexcusable. It is we so-called 'adults' who lay, or should lay, the foundation for a sense of justice in the upbringing of our children. However, in this story (and its true background) it failed spectacularly. On several fronts. The results can be considered rather grim.
As solid and reliable role models that 'we' adults are/should be: how do we actually relate to right and wrong? Parents who would rather protect their beloved children from the consequence of their (any) actions, than confront them with it – yes, that's understandable. But will the 'children' learn from their mistakes in the future (without any true feeling of guilt about having done something wrong)? So that they might not replay their misbehaviour in the future? Rather not. However, if everyone prefers to proclaim an exception rule for themselves (and their loved ones), that cannot work out well. So it always ends in fighting and stabbing... by any means.
The irony: For cinema and television this is actually quite wonderful, because thus there are always new, stirring stories to tell. In the case of "Han Gong-ju", fortunately the entertainment gain does not come from dramatically exaggerated voyeurism, but rather from the fact that we walk a part of the truly sobering track in those indifferent (?) shoes of Han Gong-ju. By doing so, clues putting the (difficult to digest) puzzle together accumulate...
Lee Su-jin's KMovie is consistently serious, unpretentious and at the same time convincingly authentic in the presentation of the protagonist. Chun Woo-hee in her difficult role as Han Gong-ju is also outstanding and masterly in this context!
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SIDE NOTE: --- Events at Miryang Middle School in 2004 ---
Over a period of just under a year, at least 44 (but possibly more than 120) high school students repeatedly raped three 13 to 17 year old girls and filmed them in order to blackmail the victims. The gang rapes obviously happened as a purely entertaining pastime for the boys.
The first 14-year-old victim was blackmailed with the film recording to bring her younger sister and her older cousin to the subsequent 'meetings', who then also became victims of renewed gang rape. In addition, the victims were forced to pay so that the footage would not be published. There may have been even more victims.
As unforgivable as these actions are, dealing with them was even more unforgivable. After the girls' aunt reported the case, of 44 clearly identified repeat offenders, only three were initially actually arrested. Due to massive public pressure, 9 more were taken into custody and a further 29 were officially arrested but not taken into custody.
There were no serious consequences for the perpetrators. On the contrary, the victims became victims again! On the one hand, they suffered psychological damage during the interrogation due to insensitive, confrontational confrontations and verbally abusive male officers (even though the victims had expressly asked for female officers). On the other hand, parents tried to force the actual role of perpetrator on the victims due to provocative behavior.
Finally, the defenders pointed out that some of the boys are already about to enlist in respectable universities and would soon contribute to the shining future of the city. In general, the parents of the perpetrators managed to build up pressure in various directions and also helped with money to box their boys out of the annoying situation. Among the victims' parents, on the other hand, one father unforgivably exploited his daughter's predicament for his own benefit. Ultimately, only 5 boys were tried in juvenile court. Without serious consequences. They are now probably fathers themselves and are firmly established in their careers.
In the meantime, this and that may have changed legally (and also when it comes to investigating), in South Korea and Germany and in other countries, too. But still, in current cases of juvenile sexual offenses, to date a strong tendency among parents here and there is increasing to wanting to box out their loved ones by all means possible, regardless of the losses. Far too rarely is attention paid to reflecting to their sons (and/or daughters) when they in fact tremendously misbehaved, that, yes, they are still loved and ok, BUT THEIR ACTING IS NOT OK at all. As a matter of course they will have to face the consequences – as serious misconduct that the social community we live in does not tolerate.
… However, our problem is: 'we' obviously DO tolerate it... Over and over again.
Sadly, in this respect, the KMovie “Han Gong-ju” is as topical as it was in 2013.
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This review may contain spoilers
Han Gong Ju is a high school student. The movie starts with Gong Ju being transferred to another school. The reason seems to be unknown. Her previous homeroom teacher, Mr. Lee, is helping her with enrolment at the new school. He also pleads his mother, who lives close to the new school, to let Gong Ju stay with her for a week. The mother hesitates. Back in her hometown, an investigation is taking place. The movie discusses pain, growth, friendship, broken families and above all - survival.
Here is a trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsQyHhusuP4
I would recommend anyone who is easily triggered by violence to read some comments and reviews on the movie before watching it. I will have a spoiler at the end of the commentary if you want to know about the triggering topic discussed in the movie. Is you want to know what kind of triggering topic that is discussed, click "Keep reading" on the post titled "Han Gong Ju - Thoughts and review": http://banghae.tumblr.com/tagged/hang-gong-ju
STORY/ACTING
I went into this expecting nothing, but ended up rating it a 10. I think it was extremely well put. It was pleasing to the eyes and if you search for gifs from the movie on tumblr, you’ll see how gorgeous the scenery was. This was an independent movie, but gained a lot of attention and the main lead, Chun Woo Hee, who portrayed Han Gong Ju, won Best Actress at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards. She has also won several other awards. She is now a much anticipated actress and recently came back to the big screen with Cart, which I also watched and enjoyed quite a bit.
I have never watched anything as raw and devastating as Han Gong Ju. Gong Ju is a fragile character and does not trust people easily. Chun Woo Hee did an excellent job at portraying such a scared and vulnerable human being.
I also found Kim Hyun Joon's acting to be very realistic. Min Ho is not a character you want to be around and I have so much rage in my heart because of him. Eun Hee (Jung In Sun) was a friend Gong Ju needed.
MUSIC
Gong Ju shows an interest in music throughout the movie and I loved the one song she sang. I'm currently listening to it as well. Woo Hee has a very sweet and mellow voice.
REWATCH VALUE
The rewatch value needs to a bit lower as there is a lot to take in here. The movie is based on the well known Milyang junior high school case: http://netizenbuzz.blogspot.no/2014/12/pann-movie-han-gong-ju-scandal-based.html
Watch with English subtitles: http://myasiantv.com/movie/han-gong-ju/
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Failure of the modern lawful society
●PLOT VIEWSOK, about one hour has passed am still not sure what's happening. Han Gong Ju is transferred, her personality seems normal but gets defensive whenever anyone clicks pics, she also is learning swimming.With past and present events, all combined it is very difficult to interpret the story.
Since there are so many good reviews am still going till the end and yes it wasn’t a bad choice. This movie is shown from Han Gong Ju's eyes, what she experiences the nightmares, the past memories, the unfair society, irresponsible parents, and untrustable police.
Within the second half, it tore to pieces that how she had still been hanging in there to just live. Whatever happens, she works hard to live, even if one day she wants to end everything she wants to live, because it's not her fault.
●ACTING
I was really moved by the exceptional range and raw emotion Han Gong Ju (CHUN WOO HEE) was able to show through this role. Her vulnerable personality is portrayed like a piece of art.
Lee Eun Hee (Jung In Sun) is a kind-hearted teenager who wants to befriend this new girl. She finally is able to make friends with her. She had that good girl-of-the-class vibe in her body language.
●MUSIC/REWATCH
The lighting and darkening were the moods of the movie showing the director's artistry. The music was subtle and clear. The movie is great but it is probably not a rewatch thingy for it has the ability to put you in depression. You can't see anyone's pain.
●AFTERTHOUGHTS
After finishing the movie I read the articles about the original case and it just shakes up the soul that how this case had been handled with victims left unprotected, harassed by families of perpetrators, and abused by the police officers. These types of cases are stark examples that our society is diseased. Adult entertainment has landed everywhere with cheap internet leading to sexual crimes. Last but not least being a teenager doesn't make the crime less guilty, but the f**king law just leaves them with juvenile punishment. If they can commit an adult crime they should be punished according to the adult punishment.
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