[movie 2002] Who Are You? 후아유

The poster:







A few days ago, I was browsing the forum looking for new movies to be watched. And I found this movie entitled 'Who Are You' under Jo Seung Woo thread. And I love him since 'The Classic' . I've checked the official threads directory hoping to find one for this movie, but to no avail. (Even though reading the comments of JSW fans on this movie kinda enough, tempting me to watch ) Luckily I found the review from lovehkfilm.com and I was ready to go...I just watched the movie today and I can say that it's not bad! I love both of the leading actor and actress. For Jo Seung Woo fan, I suggest you guys should watch this because he's just so cool!! And guess what? He sings one song in one part of the movie ( live..I mean) As you know, he got such a great voice!

Anyway, I just wanted to share the review from lovehkfilm.com...Hope you guys have a great time watching it! So, here it goes..


The Skinny:

Pretty much a Korean version of You've Got Mail, this film skews younger and hipper than the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan blockbuster. It's also a much better film.

Review by Kozo:

You've Got Mail goes to Korea with Who Are You?, a surprisingly winning romance that manages to be as charming as it is predictable. Cho Seung-Woo is Kyung-Tae, a co-founder of "Who Are You?", an online role-playing game which functions as both a dating simulation and an online chatroom. Now entering beta testing, the game affords the chance for Kyung-Tae to meet In-Joo (Lee Na-Young), one of the game's many beta testers. She happens to work at an aquarium in the same building as Kyung-Tae lives and sleeps (as a game designer, he never leaves the office), and quickly interests him with her mildly off-kilter behavior and independent attitude.

Intrigued, Kyung-Tae takes over as her online "partner," conversing with her via his computer avatar, Mello. In-Joo ends up unburdening herself to her new online friend, which only interests Kyung-Tae further. Unfortunately, In-Joo isn't too impressed with Kyung-Tae in real life, and makes it known via their online chatting. In person, the two spar and disagree constantly, but online Kyung-Tae is her "special friend", a personal confidante and trusted kindred soul. Ultimately, In-Joo's trust worms its way into Kyung-Tae's heart, which brings up the inevitable conflict: tell her, or not? And if so, how? Will she accept a "loser" computer geek like Kyung-Tae, or will she see that despite his deception, he's really not that bad a guy? Hell, this is a movie—what do you think happens?

Like its inspiration, Who Are You? mines an undeniably interesting personal dynamic. Kyung-Tae knows the truth about their online relationship, but In-Joo does not, which adds extra layers to their interaction. Thanks to the setup, Kyung-Tae becomes an infinitely more interesting character, as all his actions, words, and even expressions have multiple meanings beyond the obvious. Cho Seung-Woo handles the character with likable charisma and self-deprecating sensitivity, though he doesn't always show it.

By comparison, In-Joo should suffer, as her personal disdain for Kyung-Tae could make her seem less sympathetic. Still, actress Lee NA-Young (who was also in the horrid sci-fi flick Dream of a Warrior), is likable and refreshingly tough, and the personal pains she's given are handled believably and without egregious overdone drama. Both actors make their characters appear real and appealing, such that whatever predictable steps the script takes to get them together don't even seem to register. Though there are lots of words in the script, a lot of the emotions are related in a quiet, subtle manner.

Who Are You? is ultimately a better film than You've Got Mail because it resists the urge to be cloying and cute, and portrays the characters' lives with sufficient realism and unspoken detail. The appeal of the characters and their lives makes the film's more awkward steps less annoying than they could be. Like almost every film romance ever made, maudlin emotions and cheesy happenstance play a part in the final solution, and Who Are You? is no exception. When the denouement rolls around, whatever obstacles that exist are dispelled with little tension or emotional complexity. This is really just a glossy youth romance with attractive cyberspace trappings, and anyone who's looking for surprising or original stuff is expecting too much. But for what it is, Who Are You? accomplishes enough to make it worthwhile. (Kozo 2004)


Availability:

DVD (Hong Kong)
Region 3 NTSC
Timesmart Media Ltd.
Widescreen
Korean Language
Removable English and Chinese subtitles
Music Video


Btw, this is a YouTube link if you guys are feeling like watching an MV of this movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSKJRuCFSUw