Have posted this on KOB and Quilt and initially refrain myself from posting here thinking I have written some details of the movie which may be unfair for those who have not watched it. However, after 2nd thoughts, guess good things just need to share. Have highlighted the spoiler, hence if you do not want to know the details, please skip it.
Have just returned from Korea, and realized that I need to write this down as it has been “haunting” me for days, and I can’t get going without voicing/praising it.
April Snow is really a fabulous movie! Both BYJ and SYJ are terrific and Director Hur did a wonderful job. It is definitely a fine piece of work!
It actually describes the details of 2 mature married adults internal struggling and reactions when they both realized their beloved husband and wife actually betray them.
What would one react when such thing happen? Director Hur impressed me deeply by having so delicately describing these 2 characters. Reactions between a typical Man, In-Soo and a gentle women, Seo Young. The way Director Hur puts it is so wonderful and fabulous.
Having say this, off course that doesn’t mean that I will support the content of the story. Well, adultery is never my stand but I like the way Director Hur films it.
Well, prior before this movie is released. I do know that I am going to watch it in Korea, during the Sept 10th Bunggae. So I deliberately did not see any trails or preview, as I would like to watch it with my own eyes and have the most direct feelings of this movie. I do know the outline, mentioning a couple whom their husband and wife betray them and both of them subsequently fall for each other.
Well, this is my 1st attempt in attending a Bunggae and watching a movie in a foreign country. Hence, was kind of lost when the film started, without subtitles. I was like : Oh, no, how….??????
Hence, Truthfully, I watch it with feeling of my heart and interpreted it with my own sense.
I was really immersed in the characters and was really impressed by Director Hur delicacy. His patience in describing small details, and I view that as the magic of the movie.
Would like to share some of the scenes below.
During In Soo and Seo Young went to police station to collect their partners’ belongs (left behind after the accidents) A condom is found. This act is actually indirectly describing the relationship of the accident’s couples. And who should be the one to pick up that belonging? That split seconds of thoughts???? Director Hur capture it well.
While watching In-Soo drinking with his friends and when all the sorrow flush up and as he shared he wanted to cry, hence asking his friend to go off first, or to leave him alone. I realized this man is really a “Man”. A typical man whom even in sorrow would not want his friend to see him tears. That scene is painful. He is in sorrow and pain and yet he need to control his emotion. (Because he is a man?)
On the other hand, when seeing Seo Young crying on the road side, realizing Seo Young is also having a really heart breaking time too. Hence, finally she breaks down, let out and cry loudly. (At least she can cry out loud, that part is really tearing too)
In Soo seeing this scene, could also realize how tough Seo Young is being through. She is also a victim after all. She is also being hurt as badly as him. Think that this is the time, when In Soo finally put off his shield against Seo Young. He does pity her after all.
Seo Young while seeing In Soo throwing those snow balls against the wall, (venting his frustrations and anger?) finally smile. Well, in this case, I do think In Soo is even more pitiful than Seo Young. I mean as a man, being betrayed by his beloved wife, that pain is even more hurting. In fact, very insulting and humiliating. Seo Young starts to pity this man too.
Seo Young, asking In Soo if they could take a photo with his Hand phone, is also a very nice gesture. (This is taken after they have an intimate relationship) After asking, Seo Young suddenly realized that In-Soo might not want to leave any evidence behind hence quickly follow up by saying is ok if not convenient? (I guess these wordings thru body language)
However, In-Soo obliged to it.
I do feel that In Soo is actually a very introverted person. After having a relationship with Seon Young, think he did feel sorry for her. I mean, he is a married man, and yet he has relationship with Seo Young, and worst, he can’t promise her anything.
Watching him cleaning his unconscious wife. Yes, this man is really a man. A very responsible man. After all, the one lying on the bed is his wife, if he doesn’t take care of her, who would?
On the other hand, do feel that Seo Young has fallen for In Soo, when allowing the intimacy. (For women, love and sex do come together, but for man, love and sex can be treated separately?)
So, when In Soo’s wife finally gains her consciousness and while watching In Soo taking care of her, Seo Young does realize that it is time she has to face reality. He is still her husband after all, and she on the other hand wanting to seek some comfort from her husband too by lying on his Chest.
While Seo Young’s husband passed away and In Soo visited her in the wake. That kind of speechless situation. Yes, what can he say? What can he promise? What can he do?
All these above little actions, put a lot of life to the characters, and really would like to salute Director Hur, he really capture them well.
Finally, Seo Young decided to leave, and while watching In-Soo going to her room from the opposite café does comfort her. As in her heart, she knows he cares and that’s make a difference. She is contented and leave silently.
In Soo cries, I do feel his contradictions. Yes, he has feeling for Seo Young (you can call it Love, pitiful, or anything) yet, he could not stops her from leaving. (Powerless in some extent)
Being a responsible Man, do think he could not just leave his wife in her current state. (At least, not for now) Hence he just has to bear all his sorrow and life still has to carry on.
May be, 1 day, In Soo and Seo Young will be together again. (years later?) I do not know the actual endings. Cause I do not know who make the last call, and what is the meaning of their conversations. Guess I would only get to know the answer when April Snow is shown in Singapore on 13th October.
Director Hur is really marvelous. April Snow is really a fabulous movie. He really impressed me. Being such a young Director (He looks young, so would think he is young, less then 40?) and yet could film such terrific, emotional, intact, details and beautiful movie. It seems that I have just read a very delicated nice love Novel. It does not have a very complex content (no long grandmother story), the story is very simple, and yet Director Hur captures it in a very detail way. It is a tough work, but definitely a very good piece of work done. I really want to give him 2 thumps up. Good work Director Hur and keep it up!!
The only thing, I do feel kind of wasted is that there seems to be a lot of editing, between the relationship development between In Soo and Seo Young. May be I do not understand Korean, hence do feel that if only more scenes will be shown to emphasis their growing feelings towards each other would be better. The scene where they just hold hand and enter the hotel did give me a very absurd feeling. (as not having enough time to feel their growing emotions yet)
Do hope that the producing company will release a DVD without edition version? Any Chance?
After watching, I just feel like crying, although I dislike sad movie, but I am still a realistic, knowing life is not always on a smooth path. One just needs to face with reality.
I could not help but keep asking myself what if this thing happens to me? Logically, I think I will also behave like Seo Young, I would not want to be the 3rd party. But I also know I would not know the real answer, cause one would only know the true answer, when situations really happen to each individuals.
Wow, seems to be a long passage, however, feeling so relieved after penning it down.
Not to forget to mention Yong Joon performance in this movie. Frankly, through out the whole movie, I am so immersed in In-Soo’s world that I forgotten that he is acted by Yong Joon ssi. Needless to say, he has done an excellent job in portraying In-Soo. In any case I see them as totally different people. A quick one will be : In Soo is a married Man, and Yong Joon is still single. A married Man and a Single Man’s world are different, and he portrays them well. (I mean, asking a single man to act as a married man and also fighting against internal emotions to behave all the “what if” situations) It is definitely a tough one too. Good Work!!! Yong Joon ssi. Do keep it up too.
Frankly, am still very much disturbed by the movie, I mean, is too heavy, and guess it also arouse me to think too much. Hence, by writing it down, hoping I could hook off sooner. (But I guess I won’t cause I still want to watch the one with sub title, and follow up by DVD release)
So I can imagine, how could one (Yong Joon) be hook off In-Soo character so easily? Must be very painful and disturbing. Just hope his commitment to the new projects (Great king 4 Gods drama) will ease him a bit.
Son Ye Jin, she is definitely a very natural actress. Get to know her since “Classic”. Like the way she naturally portray each characters, Need not be a lot of words, but just a simple nod or smile tells all. She is simple, not exaggerate, and nice. She always gives me a very soothing feelings and I do like her a lot. It worries me, as she seems to film quite a number of dramas, or movies in a year. Will she drain out soon? Aja!!! Fighting!!
Side Note : To the Bunggae Team.
Really want to give you all the loudest round applause. This is my 1st Bunggae trip. The idea initiated just because I want to know what a Bunggae is and off course wanted to see Yong Joon new movie and best of all is that I wanted to give myself a holiday break after all my tight work schedules. So off I go free and easy with a friend (a Yong Joon supporter too) to Korea for 8 days.
Having the chance to watch movie with so many Yong Joon’s fans is definitely a very lifetime experience and truly very exciting. Seeing all kinds of fans from all over the world is also an eye opener for me personally. Having to see Yong Joon just a few minutes on stage is also a bonus to our trip. I never expected that to happen, but it happens. Ha…….
The session held in KNTO is also very unforgettable. I especially like the VOD that is played in the Auditorium. Am really touched by all the hard works that fans put in. I watch the VOD with enthusiasm, smile and laugh together with the others.
There is 1 part when a VOD was played (think is a VOD prepared by 1 China fansclub) it comes with a song. (think is a Korean song), Fans who know the song, just sing and hum together, that moments is so touching. (Imagine the whole hall is singing when the monitor in front is flashing all kinds of Yong Joon’s photos) I can’t help but to think, if only Yong Joon is here to see and feel the atmosphere, he will definitely be very touched. The whole atmosphere is like a re-union. Really, 1 dream 1 love. How I hope he is here to enjoy what the Fans club has done. I am so glad that Yong Joon has such a great group of fantastic Fans in Korea. They are truly very nice people. I am so impressed. They (without thinking of any rewarding) organize the whole events. I heard that they even prepared BYJ Badges for other fansclub members from overseas to bring back to their own country’s Bunggae. (Yong Joon ssi, how could you reward these guys?? They are really terrific!!)
I enjoy the whole event heartily. I am also 1 of the last few persons who left KNTO on that day. (after 8pm?) Leaving with a smiling and contented heart. A big THANK YOU to all who make this event so successful.
The rest of the days in Korea, we roam around cities and outskirts free and easy. We experienced the kind hearted and overwhelming services of Korean people, and are also very impressed. We survived the trip even through we do not even know words of Korean. These 8 days will definitely be in my sweet memory throughout the rest of my life. I will remember forever.