I mentioned that I’ve been spending less time out and about and more time at home watching movies in my home theatre, such as it is.  With my Netflix subscription I’ve been taking the opportunity to watch some Korean films I’ve heard tell about.  Here’s three I recently viewed and recommend:

Shiri–a story about a female North Korean assasin living undercover in Seoul and wreaking a good deal of havoc.  A tad melodramatic, but then, that’s what makes a Korean movie Korean.  I also found it a tad sympathetic to the North Koreans.  I mean, you can’t blame the ROK for the f’d up situation in the North.  Still, quite entertaining although it wasn’t hard to guess the plot twist at the end.

Joint Security Area–A very interesting film.  I particularly enjoyed that it took place almost entirely at Panmunjon and brought back nice memories of my several visits to the DMZ.  It certainly appeared that it was filmed on location, but how they got permission to do so is something I’m quite curious about.  I think as an American I don’t fully appreciate the “deep national and cultural shame” Koreans feel about their divided country.  In fact, “Shiri” had almost the same exact quote regarding the shame and hurt that only reunification will heal.  Again, I thought the film was just a bit too easy on the NORKs, but here it was on a soldier to soldier basis and the point was well taken that Koreans are brothers divided only by politics.  Actually it was a pretty depressing movie in many ways, but still worth the view.  I actually dreamed about the DMZ last night after watching this.

Lady Vengence–This is sort of a “Kill Bill” lite type movie.  Apparently the third part of a trilogy, but even having not seen the first two it was still very watchable.  Not much more I can say about it without spoilers.  Again nothing great or inspirational here, but good entertainment.

As I have just proven, I’m not much of a movie reviewer.  But I need to post on subject other than darts occasionally, right?  Besides, I am fantasizing that the post title will generate lots of hits on Google from film gurus who will be so taken with my humble little blog that they become regular readers.

Speaking of which, I’m back up to almost 25 hits a day here.  Kamsamnida!

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