[KFCC] Love Review

Story: A marathon runner goes to LA to live with his brother and an adopted sister he never met. He feels an attraction towards her, but she can't seem to stand him and just ignores him at will. While he admires her from afar, a team-mate of his finds him in LA and begs for his return to Korea. His story unfolds before the brother and adopted sister's very eyes. And at that moment, she begins to respect him and the feeling gradually becomes mutual.

Review: I remember the first time I ever liked a girl. We talked on the phone constantly and we could never, or at least I couldn't, say good night or "Hey, I'll see you later." I remember how I would lie to her when she would ask me if I was doing anything important when I was actually taking a big fat dump. It was called "Puppy Love;" a type of love that wasn't love, but it felt just as good. This nostalgic innocence manifested itself after a viewing of a little understated Korean movie called "Love."

Despite the recent slew of smash hits from Korea, "Love" was not a dramatic masterpiece nor did it vaguely take us to a magical place that could only be imagined. However, it did take us to an American city we call Los Angeles. With the main lead being the guy who played the spear expert/slave in MUSA (Jung Woo-Sung), I knew I had to check this movie out. And of course with another cute Korean girl (Ko So-Young) playing the opposite role, how could I resist? The film does have that likable nature that movies like Il Mare and My Sassy Girl had where the romance between the couple slowly and gradually builds.

With that in mind, you'll enjoy this movie. The plot maintains that slow paced trudge throughout the film. Woo-Sung was a star marathon runner that suddenly gave up his will and determination when he felt he couldn't keep up with his team-mates anymore. So-Young was a foster child that now, though unknowingly, lives with Woo-Sung's blood brother. To get away from his team-mates and Korea, Woo-Sung contacts his brother in Los Angeles asking if he could go live with him. And so our romance begins when So-Young is sent to pick up Woo-Sung.

While it's not the greatest plot conceived, it has it merits. The romance between the two truly captures the feel and warmth of getting to know someone. You'll recognize this as the director Lee Jang-Soo uses the same scenes over and over until we viewers begin to see a slight change in the couples' interactions with each other. It didn't feel drawn out nor did it lag as much as I felt it was going to be. It was probably because the film made me want to see a change and it made me want to see the two FINALLY get together. In that sense, the film truly works its wonders.

Give yourself some time on this movie. You have to get through the slow beginning until you'll see the gem this movie is hiding. This film will make you remember the times you had talking on the phone for hours with your significant other. And I can honestly say it will make you feel wonderful inside. Watch it with someone special and you'll both be happy you did.