
Back by: withdonut on November 26, 2012 12:00 AM
ActorsSong Kang-ho, left, andSin Se-kyeongappear in a scene from"Hindsight", the latest film byLee Hyeon-seung.
/ Courtesy of CJ E&M Pictures
By Lee Hyo-won
In the 1990s,Lee Hyeon-seungshot to stardom with the visually lush "Blue In You" (1992) and became a household name with another striking film, "Il Mare" (2000), which went on to become the first local flick to be remade in Hollywood (into "The Lake House", a 2006 piece starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock).
"Hindsight"takes the director's art-school pedigree to new heights, by featuring even more breathtaking, color-coded visuals set to signature soundtracks from his previous two films.
Lee is an artsy auteur with a knack for painting beautiful scenes, capturing an ambiance and crafting subtle nuances between characters. His latest film is yet another unconventional drama exploring an intimate yet hard-to-nail-down relationship between a man and woman, but the script often resorts to laughably cliched elements to propel its rather choppy narrative structure. As a result, the striking visuals, particularly those set amid a blue salt farm (thus the film's Korean title "Blue Salt"), end up feeling like a very, very long and expensive music video.
However, fiendishly talented actors, including the irreplaceableSong Kang-hoin the lead, and screen veteranYoon Yeo-jeongspicing things up in a charismatic supporting role, give substance to the overly stylized story.
Song has worked with Korean cinema greats such as Lee Chan-dong,Park Chan-wookandBong Joon-ho, and is no stranger to playing a gangster. Following the press preview for"Hindsight"in Seoul Tuesday, he told reporters how he began as the youngest member in the gang in "Green Fish" (1996), rose to third in the ranks in"No. 3"(1997), became second in line in "The Show Must Go on" (2007) until finally portraying the boss in"Hindsight".
The actor brings a much more mature characterization of the guy-next-door-with-secrets persona he has portrayed in films like 2010's"Secret Reunion", aka "Blood Brothers". Here he plays Du-heon, a legendary figure in Seoul's underworld who retires and resettles in Busan in order to pursue his dreams of becoming a chef - to use the knife for healthier purposes.
In spite of Du-heon's wish to lead a quiet life, past ties do not let go easily. The former gang boss had been part of an alliance between once-feuding clans that united under the leadership of a veteran mobster. The president of this united league of gangs had always eyed Du-heon as his successor, and so his jealous peers keep tabs on his activities in Busan. StarletSin Se-kyeongcasts off her feminine image to play the watchdog Se-bin, a young rebellious type with a penchant for motorcycles and leather jackets.
Se-bin closes in on her subject by enrolling in the same culinary academy. Du-heon is far from exhibiting any signs of talent as a cook while Se-bin seems to be a natural. The two are drawn closer to each other as they bicker over proper ways of handling fish, and develop a strange friendship. Sin, initially awkward, eases into the role as her interactions with Song become greater.
Meanwhile, other gang bosses feel increasingly threatened by Du-heon, and Se-bin, who happens to be a former national shooting athlete, is ordered to kill her new friend. When our young heroine refuses to execute the mission,her best friend Eun-jeong (modelEsom), oblivious of the intimate ties the two have established, makes an attempt to kill Du-heon herself. But Eun-jeong meets a fatal end after the failed attempt and Se-bin decides to kill Du-heon out of vengeance. And yet, every time she has a good shot at her target, she hesitates. In the meantime, Madame Kang (Youn), the ruthless hitwoman whom Se-bin works for, decides to employ another sniper, K (Kim Min-joon), to kill Du-heon.
Du-heon on the other hand eventually learns that Se-bin has been ordered to assassinate him, but firmly believes she never will and does all he can to protect her.
The story here is simple: A young girl befriends her target, while the target is aware of the situation but pretends not to know. The film, though, strays too far away from its main idea to explain the background stories - the only saving grace is that the supporting actors, such as the surprisingly goofyCheon Jeong-myeongand veterans such asOh Dal-soo, make these unnecessary tangents interesting. The film's ultimate mistake is that it wraps up in a rush with a surprise ending that dispels the magic.
"Hindsight", a CJ E&M Pictures release, opens in September.
|
|
Sense of sunglasses and sneakers Match the look of a trendy trench coat 'interest explosion' Actor Shin Se Kyung is on the road to show off his sophisticated fashion sense to follow.On the morning of the 29th, Shin Sikyee, who departed Hong Kong via web reality filming, Incheo..... by HyonJoo.Kim
'Save me 2' has confirmed the cast of actor Taegu, Chun Hojin, Isom and Kim Youngmin. A combination of actors who are full of personality guaranteed by acting ability makes expectations about the drama that they want to see already. OCN A new tree drama 'Save ..... by asian
The boy group Astro member Cha Woo has confirmed the appearance of MBC new mini-series 'new officer Gu-Hae Hae-ryeong'. Cha is the first terrestrial star to debut after crying. The "New Embassy in Seoul" is a fiction drama based on the early 19th century. ..... by asian
Global video community YouTube has announced a new domestic channel that has grown the most in domestic videos and subscribers for the past year . In 2018, as the entertainers entered YouTube, the YouTube channel they launched has..... by asian
Shin Se Kyung shared the unique way she prepares for new projects in the recent pictorial with fashion magazine Cosmopolitan! Shin Se Kyung displayed two different styles in her Cosmopolitan pictorial featuring a variety of perfumes. While she gave off a mature womanly vibe i..... by HyonJoo.Kim
“Love Alert” Chun Jung Myung and the bloody atmosphere of joooojae is perceived, causing a pupil earthquake. In MBN's drama “Love Alert” which is broadcasted on the afternoon of the 21st, curiosity is getting bigger because of the tense..... by TaekYon.Kim
Shin Se Kyung talked about the hidden camera incident and shared that she will be taking legal action. On November 19, O’live’s “Pocha Beyond Borders” held a press conference, with Shin Se Kyung, Park Joon Hoon, Ahn Jung Hwan, Sam Okyere, and ..... by HyonJoo.Kim
Chewy Hyun (Chun Jung Myung) and Yun Yoo Jeong (Yoon Eun Hye), who are trying to learn each other's minds in the MBN drama "Sureum Cao" , An exciting development. In the broadcast yesterday (July 14), the two men succeeded in heart attack by shaking the hearts of vi..... by TaekYon.Kim
Esom discussed her character in JTBC’s “The Third Charm” with Bazaar magazine. The model-turned-actress used her experience in front of the camera to showcase all of her charms during the shoot. Esom displayed some trendy looks for this fall. Esom curre..... by HyonJoo.Kim
The model-turned-actress used her experience in front of the camera to showcase all of her charms during the shoot. Esom displayed some trendy looks for this fall. In the model I want to know only, I met actor Isom in the 'Bazaar' November, which was born again as an acto..... by TaekYon.Kim
Comments
We welcome your comments, but please be civil, DO NOT SPAM ON TOPIC. Comments deemed inappropriate will be removed and repeat will banned. Commention is a provilege that will be revoked for violations od our Comment Policy .
Comments from our old comments platform are still in the process of moving over. If you notice any comments missing they will likely re-appear soon. Thnk you for your patience.