What does it mean to feel?

I honestly think that the pace of this movie is slow. But you have to ride with its slow pace, if not, its soul won't open up. Skipping even a second of it makes huge of a difference. Scenes from the movie were genuine enough to seize the status of many ordinary families. Whilst watching the funeral scene, I felt I was forcing myself to cry when my eyes had gone dry. This film made me feel desolate just as A Ho felt apathetic before he had thrown a fit. A Ho did not shed a single tear for the death of his brother. For the family, A Ho was nothing but a remnant that cannot even be in comparison with his older brother A Hao. Which made sense for A Ho's rigidness. His presence was toned down after A Hao gained all the expectations of their parents.

The Chen parents' reactions state their partiality towards the kid, creating a gap between each of them. A hard-to-swallow fact, "Both of them liked one better than the other". A Hao was that 'one', and because he was, he was at the peak of the tower but it was too exhausting for him that he had to give up. Remember when he said, "Sima Guang saw a child, and it was himself." When people expect a lot from you, you live up to their expectations to the point that you lose track of yourself. Of who you really are even without them telling who you are. A Hao is in the same situation as Sima Guang. Except that depression ate him. Expectations drowned him.

While A Ho remained detached from the rest of the family. He knew he had enough of Radish's manipulative actions. And yet he was dragged into another trouble. The prison cell was his awakening of the life distant from the crimes he was brought up in. I felt blue seeing A Ho so lifeless and without dreams in life even after his release. All the brightness was seeped out of him. He didn't even bother getting released earlier.

How many joys and sorrows does life hold?
I don't know

But I could say that joys and sorrows come hand in hand
And if there's someone, who, regardless of his role, is not crying nor laughing but rather numb. I hope they can feel again.

Read More

It didn't hurt a lot but it left a message

They were all friends. Shame how the same thing called love, required in friendship, ruined theirs.
They were two people, too young and they fell in love. It wasn’t because they were too young to fall in love. It was because they were too clueless. Regardless of your age, 16, 21, or 34, it doesn’t matter you may be too clueless to fall in love. But it wasn’t just cluelessness though, it was their mutuality and their identity. A couple loved each other almost equally, but one of them had sought after something else, something that the other cannot provide. Like, Chen Xun said, Fang Hui was the land, but the bird who can fly just like him and can accompany him was Xiaotang, and to him, it's what Fang Hui did not have. Hui wasn't the person whom he can associate with when achieving his dreams. Chen Xun with Xiaotang is just him wanting to be expressive of his individuality. The point was that he dreamt and loved but sadly Fang Hui cannot be with him to chase after his aspirations.

This film answers a question and concludes with another question. You just can't decide who's at fault. Was it Hui? Was it Chen Xun?
Hui did not know that Chen Xun sacrificed for her (Gaokao), however, Chen Xun cannot keep on sacrificing for her because he also has his own endeavor to go through. Hui cannot go through that endeavor with him. With that said, both of them lack a fragment, so important in a relationship. Things did go their way, and the only way was for them to separate for them to introduce themselves as their pure self. This film is centered on relationships and the identity of a person. I understand that people will say you have to full-on sacrifice for your loved one, but the grit to stick to your identity isn't bad as well. I guess the message this film is trying to convey is that our ties may possibly serve as a medium for us to determine our individuality. And that we might not actually understand how the other person feels unless we're in their shoes. One of the fundamental things in life is to know yourself before getting involved in a long-term romantic relationship.

The acting was acceptable although it didn't pierce too hard. The songs, I loved them. Storyline I was a bit doubtful when Qi Qi appeared. Regardless of that, I think they did a fine job giving an essence out of a film.
People fear death, but hou hui 后悔 regret is the scariest
It became a cycle, these young people did not want to regret and so they did these things but ended up regretting them.

The real question is:
When did we become like this?
And the answer is:
When you all started to question who you are as a person.

Read More

A Taxi Driver

If you've watched this movie you would hate the taxi driver in the first half of the movie. I hated his cowardice seriously. How could someone not feel angry about an issue pertaining to the society where injustice dominates. But later on, you'll realize that Kim Man Sup, the taxi driver embodies us, individuals. Whatever race we're from, we have an innate characteristic such as consciousness. Unless we have the consciousness of the person's situation, we cannot relate to them. We may lack empathy at first but that's because we're clueless about the feeling. The only way to understand is to listen to them and be with them. This also applies in personal situations.

I thought I wouldn't feel the satisfaction in this movie, and I thought wrongly. I was utterly satisfied by it. The storyline was on point. The sequencing of events was chef's kiss. And the acting of the taxi driver was great. My only concern was the one who played Peter.

Before I come to conclusion, I've got to say the nerve Man Sup had to pull away from his comfortable life was sympathetic. He had the choice to stay there and not come back. He had the choice to live a comfortable life but he chose compassion over comfort. Man Sup was disturbed by living with ease while the others were fighting for their life. Goo Jae Shik's death, on the other hand, was the turning point for Man Sup. He was already having second thoughts at that time, and when he finally saw the body, he felt more secured to go full-on in this war against those in authority.

The reporter in the film was risking everything he has, for the news to be delivered to the international media, despite it not being his own country. I don't despise the local reporters though, they did their best but it was meant for Peter and Man Sup to finish the mission. Their strong friendship made it easier for them to trust each other.

Another part I've noticed was when the soldier saw the plate number but still let them pass. That soldier knew his service, for the people not against them.

Read More

A WORK OF ART!!!

As a person who has been bullied before, I give this a solid ten. It reopened the wound, however, it also gave me hope to be vulnerable. I guess that's what movies are for, to let people feel.
I've watched this a year ago, never knowing that I did not let it end at its very ending. And rewatching it, I noticed the huge difference in the emotions I've felt a year ago and this day. I was dejected towards the notion that Bei's dialogue "You protect the world, I'll protect you" happened. With that being said, I was so sad when Bei's protection had to mean him getting executed. But I was grateful that I'm able to share this movie with a friend and that I realized that I was latching onto the wrong ending. To be able to witness Bei's consistency with his feelings towards Chen Nian was heartwarming. This is where the statement "Risk it all or nothing at all" comes into being. The series of events have that touch of reality that pulls you in, to better relate to their situation whether you've been in their situation or not. When it was the nearing end there's a scene when an officer, if I'm not mistaken, is telling Zheng Yi (the detective that has encountered Chen Nian a lot of times in the movie) "Must you drag both of them down", I highly I agree with that. Already sensing what has happened and the reason behind it, you should be empathetic enough to give at least one of them a chance. I can't blame Zheng Yi though, as I was looking for a laudable ending.

I was lowkey happy that Chen Nian, did not let Bei face these things alone, instead, she received her fair share of punishment. Hence, reminding us that she still cared. She didn't feel the need to be untroubled and just move on with her life.

The ending, I should say is true to life. Perfection. Bei walking behind Chen Nian, and Chen Nian accompanying the little girl. It still elaborates Bei's dialogue "You protect the world, and I'll protect you". This is by far the best ending and the most meaningfully constructed film I've ever watched. Every scene holds a meaning. No scene should be missed.
The surge of emotions was what I expected but the mark it gave on me, even 'till this day shall remain a recognition to the superb performance of the writer, actors, director, and every cast and crew.

Read More

It is such a meaningful movie

I'm a bit hesitant about the choice of the actress because I felt I needed more at some point in the movie.
I love the music choice, and the flow of the plot is just excellent.
I don't think I've watched a lot of movies such as this one.
Bullying is a sensitive topic to talk about, especially in school, but this one elaborated on how bullying isn't something to be underestimated. Anyway, you'll get an accurate concept better when you watch it. But it's a very heart-wrenching movie, so you better prepare yourself. And if you are not into tear-jerkers, you might want to reconsider finishing this movie.

Read More

It was a good movie

I actually almost dropped this film. The beginning of the movie was great until it started going so slow yet so sudden. He was just fighting with the bully then abruptly he planned a fake suicide. Regardless of that because of how highly rated this film is based on the reviews, I gave it a chance. And I didn't regret doing it. I've observed Qu Qu who as a teenager yearned for the love of his father. He started becoming rebellious just to receive attention from the person whom he had always waited for.
The father, however, did not see through his son's misconducts that it was for him to turn up more frequently and spend time with them. Obviously, it was bad parenting, it was the father's fault. He did not give time to his son, he just comes back when it's time for the scolding. Which isn't how a parent should be. The father did that to acknowledge himself as a responsible father when in fact in the most crucial life transitions of his son, he wasn't present.

Money isn't to begin with, after all, some people already comfortable in life are still too busy earning money not considering how their children craved to do so much with them. This film did a great job tackling the problem. In spite of not having dialogues to pinpoint, the roles filled it in. I was happy that Yo Yo and Qu Qu relate with each other regarding their families' situations. Yo Yo influenced how Qu Qu decided for himself. He had it all sorted out at first, but it was toxic. It wasn't all his fault, but doing the same things without improvement becomes useless. And due to Yo Yo's empathy, Qu Qu felt loved. If Yo Yo had become so distant would things go differently?
It could've gone differently, Qu Qu could've been so exhausted and even more helpless than he was. The only thing constant in this world is change. Yo Yo helped bring out that spirit Qu Qu lost. And that was the change for Qu Qu. Qu Qu was also part of how Yo Yo came out of her bubble. She began being courageous for herself, to put into words the feelings she had been holding in for a long time. Imagine how agonizing that is. You've spent your whole existence pleasing your parents, not complaining, and dreaming one day you'd go to parties with your friends. Even asking for permission is rehearsed. It's fine to be strict as a parent but you've got to give your child the freedom of choice. Trust them with it. That's what many parents lost focus on. The freedom of the child to grow, to carry on with what they want in life.

It was somewhat all over the place when Qu Qu accidentally stabbed his mother. That scene and the hospital scene were bothersome. I was surprised to see his mother alive. I just didn't think that the plot twist was necessary.

All in all, the acting required more push, and the storyline as well. It was still a great movie to watch.

Read More

Dark and deep

Like, really, this discrimination against the lower classes is bothersome and disgusting. Though I only have a few dialogues that I liked, the bottom line of the story, I think lies in the characters' attitudes and the setting itself. This family is on a whole other level of racking their brains. If this family living in poverty is so desperate to live, just to live, and so are the other impoverished families. But it's sad to affirm that the scene where Kim Gi Wu's family was fighting against Guk Mun Gwang and her husband, is the situation of many of the indigents. Poor versus poor, while the rich remain unbothered is a real thing in our society. If pulling each other down is an individual's solution then it would never work out. Sometimes people get too blinded by the idea of being comfortable that they would take chance to commit some things, not deeply comprehending how it would affect the other party. Yes, that's because they want survival, and it's their choice, but why choose to survive alone when you both can survive together, just with cooperation.

That's one of the points the movie is trying to point out, I suppose. Another scene is the erotic one, that's the turning point, they started to realize that they were opposed to the wrong enemy. This adds up to the meaning of the title parasite and how intensely linked it is to the storyline. The needy people all gaining from the host (rich). They were the parasites, but they had to taint each other's hands with blood to gain better.

And the part when Mr. Park was sickened of the blood is so horrifying. A rich person, who did not care if someone died because of the rivalry for his riches, is apathetic, cruel. He obviously did not care about anyone. He only wanted a comfortable living with his family. Not in a bit, empathetic.

The poor can be greedy, the middle class can be greedy, and the rich can be greedy. No exceptions. No matter how poor you are, once you step upper in the ladder, you will want more. No matter how rich you are, you will aim for more. Money isn't the solution happiness is, but if money is your happiness you will never be happy.

I was only thrilled once, the acting was superb as I hated whom I was supposed to hate. The climax left me perturbed. The only reason I didn't rate this a solid because I wasn't feeling the thrill more than I should be feeling it. Besides, the genre is a black comedy, thriller. I had picked up messages from this movie, which is better enough since I always call a movie "superb" if it's meaningful. Sure enough, this movie is meaningful.

Read More

Society's issues and the consequences

What Goes Around Comes Around (Episode 1)
Turning a blind eye on an issue
That's the gist of the episode. It's also quite ironic how Nanai is a model student who is awarded for his intelligence but chose to be ignorant instead. We cannot ward off the fact that girls were also in the wrong, but the inability of a man to take responsibility for his actions is such cowardice. And his understatement of blurting out words like "You can just go for an abortion" is astonishingly ignorant.
It's true what they say, "Those who don't care, feel more comfortable in life" And they just get away with it.
This statement tackles many more issues other than Nanai's. It also speaks about how an apathetic person values his desires over someone else's necessity.
Also, another notion that must be given the limelight in this episode, is people's lack of empathy. Just as Nanai did, he did not bother to understand why the ladies were in dire need of support. But as Nanai went through that same experience, he started realizing how lacking he is in empathy. And that same empathy was what he neglected in the first place.

Everyone is this way but as odd as it may sound, we seek someone who is obtaining the qualities of a perfect being, which doesn't exist. People are hypocrites at some point but being in that situation hones them to be more empathetic. To believe that only changing is the way to reduce that hypocrisy. And despite not knowing anything at all. In spite of noticing the surface of things, we must bear in mind that empathy is a must.

After talking about how the episode has interpreted these ideas, I'd like to say that the actors did great in their roles. And the music suits the ambiance and the theme which is amazing. I have to thank the director for doing such an excellent interpretation of the issues revolving around society.



How acceptance alters a person's perception (Episode 2)
This episode centralizes on being traditional ladies. It reflects upon the segregation of male and female students and a teacher who is hiding behind the closet. This female teacher is stuck to her past, it somewhat seems like she had an interest in her female friend who liked a male. This left Ms. Naruemon hostile to relationships in general. She isn't just in denial of her own sexuality but also in denial of Love being an existential thing.

Due to this, Ms. Naruemon became too unbearable for students to handle, and they were overly restricted. Considering the extent of restriction, it is without a doubt that these female students ache for interaction with the opposite sex. Apparently, their curiosity contradicted Ms. Naruemon's belief that ladies are ought to be distant from love. She concludes that the presence of the boys taints the minds of the ladies. But the way she brings it up is not fully because of how boys put troubles into being, but the absence of something within her. It is that absence prompting how she conceives the intolerance of guys.
Some scenes even amplify the superficiality and close-mindedness of Ms. Naruemol's rules. Like, when boys were deprived of saying the word "Milk". And when ladies were prevented from laughing at the boys' jest. All these useless rules were a fruit of Naruemol's unaccomplished love. The breakthrough from the confinement was the significant reason for her to love again. It was satisfying to observe people justifying how love is not reliant on gender. Just as the teacher said "Love whatever it looks like, it still is love, right?"
That sentence can change a person's perspective. It altered Ms. Naruemol's thinking, from close-minded to open-minded perception.

If you look at the mood used in the cinematography was fascinating especially the scene when Ms. Linda kissed Ms. Naruemol. The story was obviously captivating. However, the actors did a great job but some extras were lacking, despite that the episode captured the essence of why close-mindedness is undesirable in a society.



The court doesn't decide if you're guilty or not, but instead, it depends on how much money you have. (Episode 3)
Corruption is corruption no exceptions, your placing in the society does not give you the honor to accept and be in possession of that money. And whoever is behind that money shall be proclaimed guilty. The money-hungry society has drowned itself in money and would go through heights for the sake of comfort while the victims keep silent of it. Because money measures your innocence.

Minnie a student who lies to appear righteous while deep in her is carved the misdeeds she'd committed. She doesn't own up to her wrongs but goes in circles since it doesn't matter, money can save her. Continually doing these things, she ceaselessly disregards the consequences of such actions. And even after murdering 4 students, Minnie persists in having a life with ease. I must add how the 4 female students following Minnie can be an embodiment of the inability to escape from our mistakes. Situations or people can remind us of our errors. The length it takes for the well-off to be declared guilty is enormous. Corruption is mainstream in this world. It will never end unless we think past money.

The family's concern for shame rather than the misdoings of their daughter is utterly disgusting. Let innocent lives be taken but my money will always be my image. A sickening behind the scenes of powerful people. Smiling in the camera without capturing the bodies outside the frame. Minnie's, however, was just a satisfactory end to depict how certain actions lead to consequences.

Read More