As promised, I'm going to critic about Son Ye Jin's films after watching them all (well,not completely all since I skipped 2 of her first movies because there were no available links of it online) during my quarantine period. SYJ has been in the industry for 20 years and she's known to be the "Melodrama Queen" which she truly deserve!🖤 Her acting skills are amazing having said that she has taken different kinds of genre from rom-com to crime/thriller/adventure. Generally, most of her movies are mere tear-jerkers with unique storylines and unpredictable endings. Hence,here are my thoughts on each of her craft in chronological order (so it won't be biased!Haha)
Lover's Concerto (6/10)
This is a tale of a guy who became an acquaintance of 2 best friends who are both terminally ill, one whom he fell in love with. I thought the story would be something related to music based on its title but I can't believe how tragic it was. 😅 Yejin is somewhat like a supporting actress only here but likewise, it's not my cup of tea.. :l
The Classic (10/10)
The actors + plot + OST= PERFECTION. "Pachelbel Canon" has been one of my fav classical songs and it suits the story alongside the other piano covers heard on it. I like the idea of how the mother's love story has been passed on to her daughter's generation. The most heartfelt part was how everything got connected at the end. So did it make me cry? Yes. Was it a sad ending? Nope, not really! ;)
A Moment To Remember (9/10)
"I got an eraser in my head" 🥺 Honestly, I felt bored and corny during the first part. It was too shallow until the second half where the early onset of Alzheimer presented to the lovely Kim Sujin. ;( To my mind, I began to think how this was possible to occur at a young age (late 20's) and as the story went on, my heart continued to sank. The efforts that Choi Chul-soo did to restore his wife's memories were so touching up to the point that he almost lost her 🥺 Although, it was a nice story despite that poignant ending.
April Snow (7/10)
I don't understand why many people likes this film so much?! It was Yejin's first film with an intimate scene and she handled it well at the age of 23. The guy isn't just good-looking in my opinion.lol.Nevertheless, I find the plot so simple with just them having a change of heart after knowing that their own spouses are having an affair. In addition, there were many quiet scenes on this one---or have I watched a cut version of this?I'm not sure.
The Art of Seduction (8/10)
The perfect tagline for this film could be, "mauna ma-inlove,talo" (I'm a sucker to fall in love first). I enjoyed this witful romance even if the whole idea was how to deal with the perks of dating. I loved the moment where Han Ji Won danced in a club and the time when she was brought in the hospital. Whatta feel-good movie 👍🏻
Open City (6/10)
Korea's Money Heist of 2008. This is is Yejin's first boss lady role but as an antagonist being the leader of a pickpocket group. Her fierce looks caught the heart of the protagonistic cop inspite that she was the villain he was looking for. Story-wise, I find them complicated (or I don't know, maybe crime films never really interest me)with several flashbacks in order to solve their current issue.It bores me especially to parts with dull conversations, I dislike that.
My Wife Got Married (7/10)
Is love similar to a game of football in which 2 opposing teams kicked-in to reach that "GOAL"? Perhaps that's how Joo In-ah and her spouses percept it. I was trying to guess that this might have a bitter ending but apparently it wasn't! Though in my opinion, I wouldn't consider it as a happy one because come to think of it, having 2 partners can be a handful right?Funny how our girl makes a schedule pleasure for her 2 beloved men of her life. I felt bad for Deok-hun but kudos to him being the most loyal and understanding hubby! Here's an odd romance with a touch of sports and sex (of course they're married, why won't they do it?!Haha!)
White Night (7/10)
I am also inlove with this film's melodic tune 🖤 I forgot what classic it was yet it suits this mystery/thriller. The x-rated scenes here were once compared to MWGM and I believe these were more intense than the latter. It dealt with the case of our heroine who got molested at a young age and as she matured, her childhood guy friend came to protect her despite of his killer efforts until he surrendered. Just like "Open City", there are various flashbacks portrayed again but this one comes with a heavier drama.
Spellbound (10/10)
This is my most favorite of all favs!🖤 I love the awe-eccentric tandem of Kang Yeori and Ma Jo-Goo: a street magician meets a girl who can see ghosts. This is definitely a rom-com that teenagers will also adore in terms of its cute, cheesy scenes. There's a tinge of drama but I laughed at most parts of it; I like it when a certain point gets serious then suddenly, the humour kicks in. Haha! This film might get a remake in the Philippines but hey, no one can beat that Son Yejin acting prowess ;)
The Tower (8/10)
In fairness, I thought this is a rendition of 911 but nope, this one feels like "Titanic" for me. The whole 120 minutes of the film will literally just take place around this twin building however they manage to add a little laugh and love in it---can you imagine a brewing love couple in a fire-burning tower?Wicked!So yeah, it was alright; the behind the scenes video of this film is very impressive.
Blood and Ties (09/10)
"It ain't over, 'til it's over!" I never wanted to watch it after reading the synopsis. But with my curious mind (and boredom during quarantine), I gave it a go and thereafter, I couldn't get over with the story. WTF for those twist of events, napaka-husay!! It'll make you feel sorry and upset for the father at hindsight but it'll wither as it goes on, trust me! ;p It almost has the same gist with "White Night" for it investigates a previous crime case.
This was the last Yejin movie that I watched because I never thought I would like such an adventure genre type but apparently, I did! I was expecting a very serious movie but it wasn't at all. Most of the scenes are hilarious; I love how Yejin (Yeo Wol) showed herself as a fierce pirate ☺️ On the other hand, I find Kim Nam Gil's character (Jang Sang Ju) annoying. Even if I would see them first before Hyun Bin, I wouldn't stan this two together. Hindi sila bagay.(they don't look good together) 😏
Bad Guys Always Die (8/10)
It's a simple feel-good movie in which they are tracing another long time crime case;They said it's action-comedy but I didn't laugh much compared from "The Pirates". The movie is fine but the jokes? Hayyz, forgive me but i find 'em boring.
The Truth Beneath (10/10)
Among her works of crime/mystery/thriller films, this one's my fav 🖤 I knew that this would be very interesting the moment I saw the trailer, nakakakilabot(it gave me chills!)!I was so stunned on how they solved the case and, remember the guy from MWGM?! Yep, it's him again and he remains a shagger here!Hahaha.His slap-fight with Yejin was intense as well. Moreover, the ending was just "WOW"; superrr hands down to Yejinsshii 🖤
The Last Princess (10/10)
This is the other movie that I had no interest with seeing it at first glance; But suddenly, I had a change of heart again when I saw the behind the scenes and interview footages. It was phenomenal! Yejin certainly nailed her role in becoming Princess Lee Deokhye. And I like her tandem with Park Hae Il 🖤 I cried bigtime during the near-ending scenes; there's not much of a love story here but rather, the love and loyalty of her own kingdom.
Be With You (9/10)
The first SYJ movie that made me baul bigtime! Although I watched it during the lenten season out of curiosity, it's a very heartfelt story about a little boy who believes that her dead mother will come back on a rainy day which once happened however her memories got swooned so the husband took her down memory lane until suddenly, she had to leave her family again. Basta sobrang nakakaiyak nito ;( I guess this hit me hard because I'm currently far away from my family ;(
The Negotiation (9/10)
I'm saving the best for last! 🖤 I've said it again and again, I love #BinJin so much and the only reason why I gave it a 9 is because they just have ONE scene together in the movie. The rest were all virtual interactions which brought them the best LAN chemistry 🖤 Inspector Ha Chae Yoon and the psychopath Min Tae Gu have a one of a kind criminal loveteam in which you would wonder why had they promoted this movie like there's some spark of romance in it?! Hmm. ;p Nevertheless, the plot is fine and cheers to those Filipino hostage takers! Consider them very lucky to work with Korea's well-known stars.
Stay tuned for my BinJin blog entry soon!I'm very eager to share how I started to support them and its fandom 🥰
So, doesn't she deserve all the "Best Actress" in every award show? YES.YES.YES! She's the "cow" who works hard for a multitude of projects, a "meldodrama queen" who immerses her audience further to her movies with the aid of her superb acting skills and "Korea's First Love" since her eye smile often captures the hearts of her leading men ☺️ Therefore, I continue to pray that she'll win this year's Baeksang "Best Actress" award.
I'm currently in the process of watching her TV series plus maybe next time I'll share my thoughts about her 2018 series, "Something In the Rain".Indeed, Kdrama has eaten the heck out of me especially for being a BinJin stan. Oh well!🖤
