Springtime (2004) User Reviews

Maybe a bit slow-placed but still a good movie.

[TrentReznor · 8/10 · 3 March 2007]

After receiving a call from his ex-girlfriend confirming that she is going to get married, Hyeon-woo lefts Seoul and his mother behind and moves to the countryside with the hope that he could start everything from the beginning. There, he starts working as music teacher for the music band of the middle school of Dongye which hasn't won a competition in years. Furthermore the music program of the school is in danger of disappearance if they don't do well in this year tournament.

Despite what could it seems, the movie doesn't focus on the music tournament, but in the personal life of Hyeon-woo and his relations with his new neighbours.

Like happens in every movie he stars in, one of the best things of the movie is Min-sik Choi's performances (for me, the best korean actor and one of the best worldwide) though this time he plays a different role we are accustomed to. Also the music is notable (somebody knows if Min-sik Choi himself plays the trumpet and the saxophone?). On the other hand, "when spring comes" suffers the most extended defect in todays korean cinema, that is to say, the almost obligatory necessity to run all their movies over the two hours.

To sum up, this is a very good drama, that should please people who likes dramas like "christmas in august" or "one fine spring day" (indeed the director worked in both films)

PD. For some inexplicable reason, this movie seems to be very unknown, even to the Asian movies fan people, so don't miss it.

Dogye

[kimkegaard · 10/10 · 5 May 2008]

I just went to Dogye where the movie was filmed last weekend and savored each corner of that town. The town is very slow with only a small number of school kids and elderly people and none between those two demographic groups because most of them went out to the city for a job or university.

Imagine you are one of them... one of them who is working in the city restlessly... just beaten by the fierce competition and do not even have time for an occasional introspection. The main actor is one of them-- a bombarded city person who finds out that his ex-girlfriend whom he still dearly loves is getting married soon. His career seems to be also uncertain because he does not want to sell out to money and holds onto his genuine integrity for music.

He is one lost soul.

If you know what it feels like to be him, which most city people are, you'll surely love this movie.

The movie is slow but isn't fragmented or forced. Each character shows different walks of life. If you liked movies like Cinema Paradiso you'll like this one.