Love, Lies (2016) User Reviews

Vulnerability breaks my heart

[lthan · 7/10 · 19 September 2016]

I first watched the movie because my favorite actor from DongYi, Han Hyo-joo is one of the leading actress. This movie really has my tears, because it portraits such vulnerability and regret that any human being could go through. The leading actress, Soo Yol, was so innocent and lovable in everything she did. But she was too, a child that never grows up, and she was buried in the thought of revenge. I felt sorry for this character, she lost the love of her life. Her best friend dies, and although she is the one who survives, she suffers more than anyone could know. And sadly, her suffering was caught mostly by herself. She killed her inner-self and became someone that I felt like herself would have disdain greatly, just to desperately gain the acceptance of her beloved, not anyone else. The male leading actor, is someone who you could just see in real life: A person who thought he is in love until he meets someone else. Many people cannot accept him for betraying Soo Yol love and belief, but all I feel is pity for him. He could not understand himself, and hurt all of them three.

So I have learned in order not to hurt people, we must learn ourselves and be aware of our illusion.

Strangely relatable

[josepaul-68510 · 7/10 · 6 October 2020]

True human emotions Random actions It's aftermath All wonderfully illustrated Her actions are not justifiable but can be understood Her pain can be felt It is so strangely relatable

Characters swept by the current of colonial history

[crchew · 8/10 · 27 December 2016]

For me, the enchanting aspect of the movie is that it explores the relationship of arts with the people. The two characters, best friends So-yul and Yeon-hee, start off as young trainees in a house for gisaeng. Gisaengs were like geishas, and the women played the role of (traditional) artists and entertainers for aristocratic events. This movie's setting is in the Japanese occupation era, so the gisaengs are mainly entertaining the Japanese military personnel. So-yul is exceptionally talented in the traditional arts and she could sing the 'jangga' (a type of trad song) very well. However, her boyfriend Yoon-woo is a pop song composer. As much as he respects the Korean traditional arts, he thinks that the entertainment by gisaengs are for the upper class and are unable to provide comfort to the general public suffering under the colonization. He tries to persuade So-yul into singing pop, but she realizes that her interests still lie in the traditional arts. Meanwhile, the gisaengs look down on pop-singers, stating that pop is just an inferior form of art appreciated by those with no refined taste.

I was expecting the story to be about So-yul changing her path from a traditional artist to a pop-singer, but that happens to Yeon-hee instead. So-yul watches as her best friend Yeon-hee, is discovered by people as the uprising talent in pop and grows close to Yoon- woo. Eventually, So-yul goes down the road of revenge after she learnt that both her boyfriend and her best friend betrays her.

Haeuhhwa itself is not only a personal story about a thrilling triangle romance but it is also a depiction of the greater circumstances that the characters are living in. Sometimes I wonder if So-yul would end up better if she does not take drastic measures to prostitute herself to the highest power in the Japanese military in exchange for the power to take revenge. Given her talents, she would have become a legendary figure in the history of modern gisaeng. However, when one thinks from the perspective of So-yul, it is clear that any accomplishment means nothing because she would only be an object of desire by the colonialists who claimed to have 'fine taste' in traditional arts. The status and dignity of a gisaeng in that era, clearly put, was tainted by the foreign occupation. Towards the end, there was a scene where the Korean people ransack the houses of gisaengs post-liberation. It was so sad to watch because as time changes, a different group of people become the target of criticism. The gisaengs were only trying to make a living under the colonization, but they were perceived as 'traitors of the Korean people' because they entertained the Japanese power.

I also want to commend the cast for their acting skills. Han Hyo-joo is good at portraying both the pure side and the vengeful side of Yeon-hee. I have never seen her playing a dark role before (hence the surprise at the plot twist), and I think she did it well.

Jealousy is dangerous

[h-79973 · 7/10 · 12 July 2018]

Of all human feelings, jealousy is one of the most tangled and unending feelings, because other feelings come into being and develop in a particular time and scope. Sometimes it happens only occasionally.

Love in the war time

[heniekb · 9/10 · 10 December 2018]

I watched it mainly to see Yeon-Seok Yoo however i must say i got totally enchanted by the historical set up of the movie. It reveals a Korean struggle in the music industry under Japanese occupation. I thought this is a very original idea to add some light to these unusual historical facts. Also the singing was so very exotic and beautiful. Overall it was unexpectedly a very enjoyable experience. Though the love story wasn't that exceptional it was greatly compensated by the set up.

SAD, Not just love about man and woman, but about Friendship

[patriciaangelica-49164 · 10/10 · 20 January 2021]

This is one of the best film I ever watch. The background of time, the cloth, the place they took to shooting was really good and detail. The story is commonly in people live. It's really make my heart sad, because of the character was very good. The artist and actor can make all the things on this film alive.

You must to watch this, because it's a beautiful film. Love, Lies.. it's just not about the love between the man and woman, but it also about love in friendship.

Beautiful haunting movie

[phd_travel · 10/10 · 21 March 2022]

Absolutely loved this exquisite and beautifully filmed movie set in the dangerous 40s in occupied Korea. Passion jealousy and betrayal combine to male this a mesmerising movie. The songs are haunting. Led by the beautiful Han Hyo Joo the cast is perfect. As if anyone wouldn't choose her!

Un festin pour les yeux et les oreilles !

[kokkena · 10/10 · 1 July 2021]

« Love, Lies » est un excellent film historique disposant d'une histoire originale, d'une intrigue classique et d'un développement remarquable. Le rythme est homogène, le récit est fluide et la narration est linéaire. La photographie proposée par Jo Eun-soo est sublime, le travail de Cho Sang-kyung aux costumes est remarquable, les coiffures présentées par Kim Seo-hee sont admirables. La bande musicale offerte par Lee Byung-hoon (The Battle: Roar to Victory / Hit-and-Run Squad / Fengshui) est impressionnante et le montage orchestré par Lee Sang-beom et Lee Jae-beom débouche sur un film d'une durée de 120 minutes pleinement captivantes. La distribution offre de très bonnes prestations, mais c'est Han Hyo-joo qui livre la meilleure performance. L'ensemble est d'une très grande qualité et mérite amplement une recommandation...

If only people can be honest

[nikhithavkn · 9/10 · 26 September 2022]

This story beautifully illustrates the emotions of a person who is betrayed and left behind by the people she most trusted. If only her friend and boyfriend were honest and did not make her not belonged, all of this havoc would have been avoided and she would have appreciated her skin. Just for a sense of appreciation and recognition by her people, she lost herself and for what at the end her friend blames that it's her fault that she has nothing when she and boyfriend were the one who had an affair and for once till the end she never felt like acknowledging her fault nor telling her the truth. She chose affair and betrayal over her friendship.

Love Really Lies

[itstahsina · 10/10 · 1 June 2023]

"Love, Lies" is a timeless classic that captivates viewers with its poignant tale. The movie delves into two profound themes. Firstly, it emphasizes the danger posed by a wounded lioness, drawing a parallel to the destructive potential of a woman who has experienced betrayal in love. Secondly, it explores the idea that love can be deceitful, hurtful, and even ruinous. Love possesses the power to profoundly transform individuals for better or worse.

Spoiler alert! The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of Korea era. It revolves around the lives of two best friends, Jung So-yul and Seo Yeon-hee, who are both traditional singers. Growing up together, they shared a deep bond and honed their singing skills in unison. However, everything changed when So-yul's boyfriend, Kim Yoon-woo, returned with the promise of marrying her in two years, proclaiming his unwavering love. Sadly, circumstances took a turn when he chose Yeon-hee to sing a song for his upcoming album, leaving So-yul feeling abandoned and alone.

Gradually, So-yul discovered the painful truth: her boyfriend had fallen for her best friend. The ultimate betrayal occurred when she caught them kissing. Overwhelmed by the deceit, So-yul found herself utterly betrayed and sought revenge against both of them. She employed every means possible and achieved some measure of success. However, the story revolves around these events.

Now, I would like to provide my feedback on the emotional journey portrayed in the film. "Love, Lies" encapsulates a tapestry of emotions, including love, hatred, friendship, revenge, and self-realization. It is only natural for any woman to react as So-yul did upon discovering such profound betrayal from the people she trusted the most. What angered me the most was her boyfriend and best friend's lack of remorse for their actions, as well as their failure to provide a proper explanation or display any concern for So-yul's feelings. To witness such a sudden change in their character, after breaking So-yul's heart and promising to marry her, was deeply unsettling. It justified So-yul's decision to seek revenge, yet it also highlighted the absence of satisfaction she ultimately experienced.

Although she achieved a measure of revenge, So-yul felt that she had lost everything in the process. Her boyfriend, her best friend, and, most importantly, her own sense of self were casualties of her actions. While she succeeded in exacting vengeance, she found no solace. Instead, she endured further pain and anguish. In the final moments of the film, set in 1991, she presented herself as So-hee and performed her song, hoping for the recognition she believed she deserved. However, a poignant incident reminded her that her relentless pursuit of revenge had cost her true identity and her inherent talent. Had she continued her path as a traditional singer, she might have gained the respect, acclaim, and even the revenge she sought, thereby finding complete satisfaction. Alas, a single betrayal brought it all to an end.

"Love, Lies" serves as a masterful depiction of how love can be deceitful, and it is up to individuals to navigate its treacherous waters. A single decision can turn one's life into a living hell. Although an older film, it never fails to captivate viewers from start to finish. I wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful movie to a wider audience.