reel: SPELLBOUND 오싹한 연애

Title: Spellbound

Literal title: Eerie Romance

Revised romanization: Ossakhan Yeonae

Hangul: 오싹한 연애

Director: Hwang In-Ho

Writer: Hwang In-Ho

Producer: Ahn Young-Jin, Ahn Sang-Hoon, Lee Won-Tae

Cinematographer: Lee Doo-Man

Release Date: December 1, 2011

Runtime: 114 min.

Genre: Romantic-Comedy / Fantasy

Distributor: CJ Entertainment

Language: Korean

Country: South Korea

CAST

SON YE-JIN as Yeori

LEE MIN-KI as Jo-Goo

SYNOPSIS

Yeori (Son Ye-Jin) is a loner. She had a near-death experience when she was younger and this lead to her gift of seeing ghosts, but she is ultimately haunted by the ghost of her high-school best friend.

Jo-Goo (Lee Min-Ki) is an amateur magician. One street performance he saw Yeori in the audience and was intrigued by her sad demeanor. He followed her and this lead to them working together and creating a hit magic-horror show. A year later, Jo-Goo is so intrigued by Yeori's distant attitude towards her co-workers that he visited her at her home; and he will find out her secret. These series of events will lead their romantic relationship.

REVIEW

This horror-suspence-romantic movie is very entertaining and really different. If you like being scared and fall in-love all at the same, this movie is a must-see.

You migh like ~

The Master's Sun (korean drama) ~ So Ji Sub

NOTES

7^th Top Grossing movies in Korea in 2011

Most Successful Korean romantic-comedy movie ~ box office $18,813,919

2012 ~ June 16-24(15th) Shanghai International Film Festival - Spectrum

2012 ~ July 19-29 (16th) Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival - World Fantastic Cinema

GALLERY

credits ~ AsianWiki, Wikipedia, Google images

reel: PENNY PINCHERS 티끌모아 로맨스

Movie: Penny Pinchers (English title)

Revised romanization: Tikkeulmoa Lomaenseu

Hangul: 티끌모아 로맨스

Director: Kim Jung-Hwan

Writer: Kim Jung-Hwan

Producer: Ku Jung-A

Cinematographer: Hong Seong-Hyuk

Release Date: November 10, 2011

Run time: 114 min.

Genre: Romantic-Comedy

Distributor: Filament Pictures, CJ Entertainment

Language: Korean

Country: South Korea

CAST

HAN YE-SEUL as Hong-Sil

SONG JOONG-KI as Ji-Woong

SHIN SO-YUL as Gyung-Joo

SYNOPSIS

Hong-Sil (Han Ye-Seul) lives frugally and have many odd jobs and saves every penny. Ji-Woong (Song Joong-ki) graduated college years ago but still lives like a college student and relies on the money his mother sends him. These two are neighbors and their apartment is sold and they need to move out within two months. Because of this inconvenience each tenant is compensated $7000. Hong Sil saw Ji-Woong's situation and made him a deal how to save money in two months so he can find his own place. This is where their funny romance will begin.

REVIEW

This is truly a one-of-a-kind comedy romance. You will not stop laughing and will relate to the characters. We've all been there (unless you're a chaebol) - financial struggles that we put our life on hold but all along the only thing that we really need and want is someone to share our struggles (problems) with; and will bring meaning to our life. I highly recommend this movie if you want to laugh and fall in love.
HIGHLIGHTS
Ji-woong took Hong-sil to watch her favorite movie and he balled his eyes out. 
Hong-sil discovered Ji-woong's surprise and where he spent all his money. 

GALLERY

 OTP ~ Ji-Woong and Hong Sil

(Song Joong-ki & Han Ye-Seul)

credits ~ AsianWiki, Wikipedia, Yahoo Images

reel: TAZZA 2: THE HIDDEN CARD 타짜-신의 손

Movie: Tazza 2: The Hidden Card

Revised romanization: Tajja: Shinui Son

Hangul: 타짜-신의 손

Director: Kang Hyung-Chul

Writer: Kang Hyung-Chul, Lee Byeong-Hun

Producer:

Cinematographer:

Release Date: September 3, 2014 (Chuseok Holidays)

Runtime: 147 min.

Genre: Suspense-Thriller / Gambling

Distributor: Lotte Entertainment, Sidus Pictures

Language: Korean

Country: South Korea

CAST

CHOI SEUNG HYUN (T.O.P.) as Ham Dae Gil

SHIN SE-KYUNG as Heo Mina

LEE HONEY as Ms. Woo

SYNOPSIS

Ham Dae Gil (Choi Seung Hyun) has tazza (hustler) running in his blood coming from his uncle. He moved to Seoul and became a gambler. Heo Mina (Shin Se-kyung) is his first love from his hometown but they split ways when he moved to Seoul. In Seoul, he met Ms. Woo (Honey Lee) and they would have a passionate love affair but will also cause his troubles from his employer.

REVIEW

Tazza 2 is a suspense, action-packed, romantic movie. Although not my cup-of-tea movie, I watched it because of Choi Seung Hyun (T.O.P.) and it looked really interesting. I recommend it – there is not a boring moment, it is very intense and I love the creativeness on how the romance of Dae Gil and Ms. Woo was portrayed.

GALLERY

Ham Dae Gil's ENTOURAGE 

*super gorgeous and handsome* 

Ham Dae Gil (Choi Seung Hyun)

Ham Dae Gil and Ms.Woo 

(Choi Seung Hyun and Honey Lee)

Ham Dae Gil and Seo Min-a (first love)

(Choi Seung Hyun and Shin Se-kyung)

credits ~ AsiaWiki, Google Images, Yahoo Images

reel: CLOSE RANGE LOVE 近キョリ恋愛

Movie: Close Range Love (literal title)

Romaji: Kinkyori Renai

Japanese: 近キョリ恋愛

Director: Naoto Kumazawa

Writer: Rin Mikimoto (manga), Yukiko Manabe

Cinematographer: Hiro Yanagida

Release Date: October 11, 2014

Runtime: 118 min.

Distributor: Toho Visual Entertainment

Genre: Romance / Based on a Comic

Language: Japanese

Country: Japan

CAST:

YAMASHITA TOMOHISA as Haruka Sakurai

NANA KOMATSU as Yuni Kururugi

ASAMI MIZUKAWA as Mirei Takizawa

SYNOPSIS

Yuni Kururugi (Nana Komatsu) is an orphan child prodigy in her high school and everyone has high academic expectations from her. She is very shy and only have one friend. Her English class is the only subject with low grades. Haruka Sakurai (Yamashita Tomohisa) is the young, handsome, sexy and popular English teacher volunteers to tutor Kururugi to raise her grades. Their love story is out-of-the-ordinary due to their 11 year age gap and their student-teacher relationship as well.

REVIEW

Yamapi never cease to amaze me. How can he look so young at 30-years-old is wonderful?! He can even portray a student on his youthfulness. Yamapi and Nana Komatsu have a strong, good chemisty so one will be bored at this movie. Watch out for the kiss scene. Overall, I highly recommend.

GALLERY

credits ~ Asiawiki, Google Images, Yahoo Images