A Year-End Medley (2021)

Profile:
Movie: Happy New Year (해피 뉴 이어)
Release Date: December 29, 2021
Distributor: CJ Entertainment, TVING
Country: South Korea

Main Cast:
Han Ji-Min – So-Jin
Lee Dong-Wook – Yong-Jin
Kang Ha-Neul – Jae-Yong
Lim Yoon-A – Soo-Yeon
Won Jin-A – Yi-Young
Seo Kang-Joon – Yi-Kang
Lee Kwang-Soo – Sang-Hoon
Kim Young-Kwang – Seung-Hyo
Ko Sung-Hee – Young-Joo
Lee Jin-Wook – Jin-Ho
Lee Hye-Young – Catharine
Jung Jin-Young – Sang-Kyu
Lee Kyu-Hyung – fortune-teller
Jo Joon-Young – swimmer
Won Ji-An – figure skater

Review:
Released at the end of the year with a star studded cast, this movie mostly revolves around the people working in a hotel and the events leading to the new year.

I love that there are a variety of stories that are connected to each other.

1. A girl with a one sided love for her college band mate/best friend – reminded me that when one door closes, another one opens
2. The friendship between a star and his manager – reminded me to be grateful for the support of my family, friends and colleagues
3. A romance between the hotelier and the housekeeping staff – reminded me that love has no boundaries
4. High school students falling in love – reminded me that you sometimes have to take risks
5. Former lovers reunite – reminded me that it’s never too late to start a new life, romance, career
6. A guy who wants to end his life on the last day of the year – reminded me that life is precious and we should cherish our time on earth

I liked 1,2 and 6 story line the most.

The movie is quite long, almost 2.5 hours but needed to squeeze in all the stories. We dont get a background of who they are since there’s no time, it looks like we are just getting a glimpse of their lives a week before the new year.

Perfect to watch during the new year or if you just want a simple and light movie.

Rating: 8.5/10

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Hellbound (2021)

Profile:
Drama: Hellbound (지옥)
Network: Netflix
Episodes: 6
Release Date: November 19, 2021

Plot: A person receives a decree and dies. Is this the work of God or something else?

Main Cast:
Kim Hyun Joo – Min Hye Jin
Yoo Ah In – Jung Jin Soo
Park Jung Min – Bae Young Jae
Won Jin Ah – Song So Hyun
Yang Ik Jun – Jin Kyung Hun
Ryu Kyung Soo – Deacon Yuji
Lee Dong Hee – Kim Jong Chil
Kim Shin Rok – Park Jung Ja
Lee Re – Jin Hee Jung

Review
Great acting from the cast. It makes me think what will I do if I receive a decree? Do I spend my last remaining hours hiding in fear or do I spend it saying goodbye to people I love? I know everyone eventually dies, it’s just that here, the way you die is too scary and merciless. The decree also doesn’t say the reason why you’re going to hell. And how come Jinsu got the decree 20 years ago but others only had a few days to live? The ex-Arrowhead also received a decree 3 (or 5?) years before too.

The story is very relevant to us because the kind of religious fanaticism is happening right now and everywhere in the world. Not just religion, even in politics and social media we have this scary cancel culture. Some people are so righteous thinking their way is the right way and bullies everyone else who does not conform to their truth. And if their truth is wrong, instead of correcting them, they hide the truth and call the others as fake news or historical revisionism or whatever names that will invalidate a person’s opinion. As they always say, no one owns the truth. There are different sides of truth, depending on whose side you want to believe in. I wish everyone would be more compassionate towards each other and less self serving. The world is full of hypocrites and double standards, I wish we are more understanding and loving towards each other.

Since there are only 6 episodes, there are too many unanswered questions thus it’s hard to feel satisfied with the ending. Hoping for a season 2 to explain not only the last scene but also the overall phenomenon.

Rating: 8/10