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Reviews
Akmong Sunsaeng (2016)
Learn through your nightmares
Initially Nightmare Teacher (or Nightmare High) seems like your typical highschool drama but after the first episode it becomes clear that the story is far more deep and innovative. The plot focuses on personal desires of young people whether it may be popularity, appearance, intelligence etc and the consequences of not being content.
Teachers are meant to lead us along the right path through learning, in some circumstances the only way for one to learn is through experience and consequence and Nightmare High explores this concept in a fantastic meaningful way.
There is a light element of horror mixed in with some mystery. By the end of the series you are sure to have more questions instead of answers, particularly about the antihero. The ending of the series is left largely open to interpretation where the viewer will try to piece together everything and come up with their own unique conclusions. It also stuck with me for a few days!
I thoroughly enjoyed Nightmare High and I hope a second season is being considered. Perhaps with a lot more focus on the mysterious antihero. On the side note, the soundtrack for this series is beautifully composed.
Eungyo (2012)
Love, jealousy, devotion, loneliness, foolishness and more, all in one movie.
Based on the novel by Park Bum-shin, Eungyo looks at the different types of relationships between the young and the old. We have the philosophical teacher, the devoted student and the foolish schoolgirl. The movie explores the author's personal thoughts on ageing, human psychology and desire in a remarkable down to earth fashion allowing us to empathise and relate to each of the three main characters on their own level.
Student's often tend to admire, love and look up to their teachers but is that admiration and love reflected back by the teacher onto their student? What happens when the relationship between the student and the teacher eventually becomes a one way love regardless of the events which unfold?
Romantic relationships between the old and the young are usually despised, looked down upon and pitied. Yet those individuals who are so quick to judge never truly understand the truth of the matter. This movie captures that truth perfectly for all to understand, far from biased but will almost certainly alter opinions on the subject both negative and positive.
There is only so much that can be said about Eungyo in one review, especially when the film explores so many strong emotions as themes. In the end, who was wrong if any? Was it the student, teacher or the schoolgirl? Perhaps all had their own faults? That is for you and you alone to decide. All that can really be said is that this is NOT your average drama.
On a side note, the score for the film is absolutely beautiful and truly reflects the different emotions occurring in crucial scenes.
You may be left with tears, you may be left with a frown, you may be left cross or you may just be left emotionless...
If only things could have been different.
Janghwa, Hongryeon (2003)
A truly fantastic movie which you'll have to think about very deeply.
Unlike many other movies, A Tale of Two Sisters really requires you to think about everything that's happened when you reach the end of movie because it won't be clear to you at all. This is movie where memory, speculation and intuition of the watchers all come into play to sum it up for you.
Another thing that makes this movie truly magnificent is the fact that many things aren't explained even through all the information you have gathered and this is all left down for the individual viewer to decide. Let's take the example of the father, he always appears strangely calm and comfortable yet there was a scene where he was laying next to his own daughter. Many people would class this as incest however, there was no sexual activity going on perhaps he was just laying down next her trying to make her feel more comfortable and not scared/frightened? Who knows, this is never explained and all left down for you decide.
Each scene carries such in depth meaning that you really need to pay attention to. This is why I would compare this movie with a crime book because you need to pay attention to every last detail. The horror side of the movie mixes in the fictional world of ghosts and demons to realistic and harsh reality of an individual's life story which many can sympathize and empathize with; the loss of a loved one, family secrets and family tragedy.
A Tale of Two Sisters will certainly not disappoint anyone expecting a movie about meaning, horror or reality. By the end of this movie you're almost guaranteed that you'll be eager to talk to someone about this movie to compare conclusions and speculations. Nearly everyone who watches this movie will have to watch it a second time so they can try to fully understand it. You most certainly won't be disappointed with A Tale of Two Sisters, with whatever you're looking to gain out of this movie because you will definitely find it.
P.S. I would also find and view the deleted scenes which may or may not explain a few of the important things which have been left unanswered for the viewer to speculate about.