[Movie 2011] Eerie (Chilling) Romance 오싹한 연애

[Guest farstrep]

[HanCinema's Film Review] "Chilling Romance": Overcome your Fears one Date at a Time...

2012/12/01

Film: "Chilling Romance"

Director: Hwang In-ho

Stars: Son Ye-jin, Lee Min-ki, Park Cheol-min & Kim Hyeon-sook

Review Score: 3.5 / 5

Also Try: "Love Fiction", "You Pet" or "Penny Pinchers"

Hwang In-ho's 2011 romantic comedy "Chilling Romance" (aka "Spellbound") had a tough time when it was released late last year. This quirky, and curiously attractive, little romantic comedy had to wrestle the likes of "Mission Impossible 4", which claimed more the 7.5 million admissions during its marathon run at the box office. Credit then has to be given to Hwang's playful and quaint twist on the romantic comedy genre and the film's ability to convince more than 3 million people in Korea that it was worth the price of admission.

Like any memorable love story worth renting, "Chilling Romance" comes down to science, specifically chemistry and, here, a twist of physics. Son Ye-jin plays the nervous and introverted Yeo-ri, who just so happens to be a living in a nexus between our world and the next. Ghosts often haunt her as well as those around her, forcing her into a loveless self-seclusion. She does this in order to protect those around her from the spirits that plague her. However, the stage magician Jo-goo (played wonderfully well by Lee Min-ki) forces her out of her comfort zone and awkwardly ends up discovering the daily horrors that surround her. Jo-goo must then decide whether or not to ditch her and run for his life, or stick around to face the fear.

Hwang had a great feel in the film for suturing suitable flecks of the horror genre into this unusual love story. Watching Jo-goo's goofy and naive character reacting to the threatening figures was quite amusing and well cut together for effect. Quick jumps and great make-up also added authenticity to the film's blond premise of overlapping cinematic domains. It is this creative mixture, the blending of the horror genre within the film, that gives it its allure and keeps the 'lightness' of the piece on its toes and the audience second-guessing. It's an unnervingly appropriate combination, or at least aptly whisked together by Hwang, that seems to enhance or 'zoom-in' on the central aspect of the 'rom-com'-Love and the challenges that get it to work.

Throughout the film there is the constant play between opposites, as well as the forces that exist between them. Yeo-ri's introverted and shy nature is countered in this magical world through Jo-goo and his own showmanship and proficient social skills. Their duo was nicely shaded and symbolised through the couple's role in Jo-goo's magic show. Yeo-ri is the victim of the 'dark magic' and her role/ performance ultimately ends in her crawling out from under the stage when the crowds have left. While Jo-goo finishes up the show above and is showered with praise from the crowd and his co-workers, Yeo-ri sits in this small and dark chamber under the stage, alone.

As the film progresses you will also see the shift in how the two characters react to their new connection to one another. Will Yeo-ri allow herself to share the burden of her curse with someone else? Does Jo-goo have the "guts" to accept her, flaws and all, and suffer through it? Questions like this, as well as actually a couple more surprisingly ones later, kept the film fresh enough, but by no means crisp, to make it all the way to its very familiar final moments.

"Chilling Romance" is not so much about the destination, but the seemingly fated journey of this clumsy and adorable couple. Throughout the film it is clear that the two have strong and unavoidable feelings towards each other, but other worldly forces hinder their exploration of those attractions. It's as much about letting your self be loved, as it is loving; a simple notion that Hwang incorporates through his blending of different genres and their themes. "Chilling Romance" generally keeps things light, self-reflexive and even bashful, and avoids gazing too deep into its interesting and creative use of horror conventions and themes. Great dialogue and character exchanges keep you invested in each scene, despite the fact that, if you actually wanted to, you could map out the rest of the plot yourself without much in the way of effort. "Chilling Romance" is also humbled by a few troublesome blemishes that scarred my memory of it, but Hwang In-ho swung me over to his side with some fun, unapologetic and fruitful layering of love on the darker side of life.

 

- C.J Wheeler (chriscjw@gmail.com)

* Christopher is a film writer and a graduate arts student at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He lived and worked in South Korea for four years and there he channeled his passion for film into the Korean cinema scene. Driven by his rampant cinephilic needs and Korea's vibrant cinema, Chris now enjoys watching Korean films and writing about what he thinks of them.

source: http://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-film-review-chilling-romance-overcome-your-fears-one-date-at-a-time---50352.html

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South Korean actress Son Ye-Jin

Source | 2012/02/25

South Korean actress Son Ye-jin appeares in front of the camera in a movie preview of "Love Fiction" held at Mega Box theater in Seoul's Samsung-dong on Feb. 20, 2012.

Son Ye-jin has taken on a variety of roles in her career to date, propelling her to fame both in Korea and in other Asian countries. She first appeared in a supporting role in Park Ki-hyung's film "Secret Tears" in 2000, and then went on to take the lead in TV dramas such as "A Delicious Proposal", "Sun-hee and Jin-hee", and "Daemang". Her first high-profile role in cinema was in Im Kwon-taek's "Strokes of fire", which screened at Cannes and took home a Best Director award in 2002.

The biggest success of her early career was in the subsequent films "Lovers' Concerto" and "The Classic". Both were solid mid-level hits in Korea, and "The Classic" in particular-being a work of "My Sassy Girl" director kwak Jae-Yong - received wide exposure in countries such as Hong Kong and China.[1]

Son further solidified her status as a "hallyu" (Korean wave) star in 2003 by taking the lead in TV drama "Summer Scen"t, a part of the hugely successful series of TV dramas including "Autumn in my Heart" and "Winter Sonata" (though this drama would not attract the attention of the previous two).

Her next two films also proved to be huge hits in Asia: "A Moment to Remember", based on a famous Japanese TV series, set box office records in Japan and sold over two million tickets in Korea, while "April Snow" in which she co-starred with superstar Bae Yong-joon was also a smash hit in Japan and China (though not, incidentally, in Korea).

Son's most recent work sees her cast off her nice girl image. She took on the roles of a con artist in "The Art of Seduction", an ambitious reporter in "Spotlight", a femme fatale in "Open City", and a divorcée in the critically acclaimed 2006 TV drama "Alone in Love" opposite Kam Woo-seong.

In 2008, her portrayal of a polyandrous woman in "My Wife Got Married" bagged her Best Actress honors from the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards and other local award-giving bodies.

After filming the dark mystery "White Night", Son wanted to do a more fun project, so she chose the romantic comedy Personal Taste, followed by the supernatural love story Spellbound (Korean title: "Chilling Romance").

She next stars in her first blockbuster action flick, "Tower", a remake of the 1974 Hollywood film The Towering Inferno.

Profile
Name: 손예진 / Son Ye Jin (Son Yeh Jin)
Real name: 손연진 / Son Yun Jin (Son Yeon Jin)
Profession: Actress and model
Birthdate: 1982-Jan-11
Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea
Height: 165cm
Weight: 45kg
Star sign: Capricorn
Blood type: RH+A
Family: Older sister
Talent agency: Barunson Entertainment

TV Series
"Secret Garden" (SBS, 2010) cameo
"Personal Preference" (MBC, 2010)
"Spotlight" (MBC, 2008)
"Alone in Love" (SBS, 2006)
"Summer Scent" (KBS2, 2003)
"Daemang" (SBS, 2002)
"Sun-hee and Jin-hee" (MBC, 2001)
"A Delicious Proposal" (MBC, 2001)

Movies
"Tower" (2011)
"Chilling Romance" (2011)
"White Night" (2009)
"My Wife Got Married" (2008)
"Open City" (2008)
"Yobi, The Five Tailed Fox" (2007)
"The Art of Seduction" (2005)
"April Snow" (2005)
"A Moment to Remember" (2004)
"Crazy First Love" (2003)
"The Classic" (2003)
"Lover's Concerto" (2003)
"Strokes of fire" (2002)
"Secret Tears" (2002)

source: http://www.hancinema.net/south-korean-actress-son-ye-jin-39237.html

[bobsavero]

@myphim and @farstrep : YES. I WILL BE HERE WITH U NEXT WEEKEND. 
farstrep: of course the ferociously kissing part ahhahahahah. and when he outside his home, scared by little cutie ghost. he was soo pitiful,,, hahahah 
@myphim : when we watch it, i hope u can make a gif after this scene

[Guest farstrep]

More movie stills of "Chilling Romance":

source: hancinema.net

Random shots:



source: hancinema.net

[Guest myphim]

bobsavero said: @myphim and @farstrep : YES. I WILL BE HERE WITH U NEXT WEEKEND. 
farstrep: of course the ferociously kissing part ahhahahahah. and when he outside his home, scared by little cutie ghost. he was soo pitiful,,, hahahah 
@myphim : when we watch it, i hope u can make a gif after this scene

[bobsavero]

@myphim : i dont mind. 
but, i have a raw vid without sub. how can i share it with u?? i never upload a video with torrent... just download it. hhahaha

[Guest myphim]

bobsavero said: @myphim : i dont mind. 
but, i have a raw vid without sub. how can i share it with u?? i never upload a video with torrent... just download it. hhahaha

[Guest farstrep]

bobsavero said: @myphim and @farstrep : YES. I WILL BE HERE WITH U NEXT WEEKEND. 
farstrep: of course the ferociously kissing part ahhahahahah. and when he outside his home, scared by little cutie ghost. he was soo pitiful,,, hahahah 

[bobsavero]

@farstrep : u almost give us all of the scene. hahahah.. save it for myphim. hahahha
@myphim: i have it in my own harddisk. ottoke?edit: i found this, maybe u can download it  

[Guest myphim]

farstrep said: @myphim: When did you become so enthusiastic about a romantic horror comedy? ) Or did LMK win you over with his dorky character?

[Guest myphim]

bobsavero said: @farstrep : u almost give us all of the scene. hahahah.. save it for myphim. hahahha
@myphim: i have it in my own harddisk. ottoke?

[Guest farstrep]

bobsavero said: @farstrep : u almost give us all of the scene. hahahah.. save it for myphim. hahahha

[Guest farstrep]

credits for all: tumblr.com or as tagged

I love this scene. It's so sweet.







 
 
 

[Guest farstrep]

Chilling Romance OST

[Guest farstrep]

class="post-title entry-title"Son Ye Jin on men, it’s all good if “2-3 years younger, or up to 10 years older”

Ceridwen November 2, 2011

Son Ye Jin‘s personal thoughts on younger men is drawing attention.

Son Ye Jin was a guest on the November 2nd installment of SBS TV’s ‘One Night of TV Entertainment’ and she made mention of Lee Min Ki who is younger than Son Ye Jin and has played a character opposite her in the movie ‘Chilling Romance’. Son Ye Jin opened up to say, “I think right now is the age for Min Ki where he is exuding the charm as a man. I feel that he is growing more as a man”.

When asked who she liked better between Lee Min Ki and Lee Min Ho who she had worked together with before, Son Ye Jin answered, “Min Ho doesn’t even keep in touch so I like Min Ki much better” making Lee Min Ki happy.

When a question of ‘Would you like a younger guy (as a boyfriend)?” was asked, Son Ye Jin answered, “If too much younger, I don’t think we could connect. Two to three years younger is ok. Older-wise, I think up to ten years is possible”.

Son Ye Jin also explained about revealing that her ideal type is pianist Baek Gun Woo stating, “He seems like a really thoughtful husband, and I really thought Baek Gun Woo and Yoo Jung Hee sunbae looked beautiful as a couple”.

Image: SBS ‘One Night of TV Entertainment’
Source: TV Report via Nate

source: http://kpopfever.com/2011/11/son-ye-jin-on-men-its-all-good-if-2-3-years-younger-or-up-to-10-years-older/

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class="post-title entry-title"Son Ye Jin in grannie fashion but her beauty completes the fashion

Ceridwen December 10, 2011

Actress Son Ye Jin‘s grannie fashion is creating a buzz.

In the movie ‘Chilling Romance’, Son Ye Jin mostly wore outfits with knit items and the style has been dubbed ‘grannie fashion’ drawing attention.

In the movie, Son Ye Jin appears wearing a grey dress with a red polka dotted cardigan and a vest sometimes. There is also a heavy grey sweater that she seems to wear a lot throughout the movie.

The ‘grannie fashion’ in the movie emphasizes the pure and lovely character Kang Yeori.

Netizens commented, “The beauty completes the fashion”, “It’s actually stylish when Son Ye Jin wears it”, “She’s wearing grannie vest”, and “You beauty never changes.”

The movie ‘Chilling Romance’ is about a woman, Yeori, who is able to see ghosts after an unexpected accident and her thrilling romance with a horror magician, Jogoo who is actually afraid of ghosts.

Source: Xports News via Nate

source: http://kpopfever.com/2011/12/son-ye-jin-in-grannie-fashion-but-her-beauty-completes-the-fashion/

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class="post-title entry-title"‘Chilling Romance’ beats out ‘Breaking Dawn-Part 1′ at the box office for #1

Ceridwen December 7, 2011

Movie ‘Chilling Romance’ beat out the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Breaking Dawn-Part 1′ for the #1 spot at the box office in Korea.

According to the Film Promotions Council as reported on December 7th, ‘Chilling Romance’ attracted 69,276 moviegoers on 413 screens nationwide on December 6th, with the cumulative total audience tally of 625,502, taking the #1 spot at the box office.

The #1 movie over the weekend, ‘Breaking Dawn-Part 1′ attracted 48,220 moviegoers on 531 screens nationwide, with the cumulative total audience of 879,089, dropping to 2nd place.

‘Chilling Romance’ premiered on December 1st, but from the very first day through the first weekend, it stayed on the 2nd spot topped by ‘Breaking Dawn-Part 1′. On the second week after the premier, the results have reversed and ‘Chilling Romance’ topped the box office chart. ‘Special Investigation Unit’ with Uhm Tae Woong took the 3rd, place, Yoo Ah In’s ‘Wandeuggi’ the 4th, and ‘Arthur Christmas’ took the 5th spot.





The movie ‘Chilling Romance’ is about a woman, Yeori, who is able to see ghosts after an unexpected accident and her thrilling romance with a horror magician, Jogoo who is actually afraid of ghosts.

Source: Newsen via Nate

source: http://kpopfever.com/2011/12/chilling-romance-beats-out-breaking-dawn-part-1-at-the-box-office-for-1/

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class="post-title entry-title"Son Ye Jin’s sexy dance at ‘Chilling Romance’ theater stage greetCeridwen December 6, 2011

Movie ‘Chilling Romance’‘s sensitive couple Son Ye Jin and Lee Min Ki took over the Seoul and GyungGi area.

For the theater stage greets that have been ongoing since December 2nd, Son Ye Jin, Lee Min Ki, and Park Chul Min have been making surprise appearances. The actors said to the audience, “Seeing so many of you in the audience filling the theater really gives us strength and we really thank you. ‘Chilling romance’ is a fun, scary, and touching movie. Please publicize our movie a lot.”

The highlight of the weekend theater stage greet was the dance time with Son Ye Jin and Lee Min ki. Park Chul Min appointed himself the MC of the greet and as he asked the audience to publicize their movie, asked the two actors to dance each time. Son Ye Jin and Lee Min Ki both danced without any hesitation.

Lee Min Ki dance a cute dance as if shy, and Son Ye Jin danced a sexy dance enough to gather all males eyes on her in the theater heating up the greet.

At the theater stage greet on December 3rd in GyungGi area, the main actors personally delivered books and posters of ‘Chilling Romance’ with their autographs, giving the audience members a special memory. In the picture revealed this time, Park Chul Min and Son Ye Jin are looking affectionate having a meal and making funny faces.

The movie ‘Chilling Romance’ is about a woman, Yeori, who is able to see ghosts after an unexpected accident and her thrilling romance with a horror magician, Jogoo who is actually afraid of ghosts.

Source: TV Report via Nate

source: http://kpopfever.com/2011/12/son-ye-jins-sexy-dance-at-chilling-romance-theater-stage-greet/

[Guest farstrep]

class="post-title entry-title"Lee Min Ki “whoa” at Son Ye Jin’s killer heels Ceridwen November 21, 2011

The meeting with the press for the movie ‘Chilling Romance’, took place on November 21st at the CGV in Wangshipri, Seoul with the leading stars Son Ye Jin and Lee Min Ki among others.

During the photo time at the meeting with the press, Lee Min Ki looked quite shocked at the pink killer heels Son Ye Jin was wearing, drawing the attention of the members of the press. The ultra high killer heels helped to elevate(?) the beautiful Son Ye Jin.

   

 

The movie ‘Chilling Romance’ is about a woman, Yeori, who is able to see ghosts after an unexpected accident and her thrilling romance with a horror magician, Jogoo who is actually afraid of ghosts.

Source: Dispatch via Nate

source: http://kpopfever.com/2011/11/lee-min-ki-whoa-at-son-ye-jins-killer-heels/

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class="post-title entry-title"Lee Min Ki, “Son Ye Jin is all around beautiful” Ceridwen November 21, 2011

Actor Lee Min Ki raved about the look of the beautiful Son Ye Jin that he worked opposite in the movie ‘Chilling Romance’.

At the meeting with the press on November 21st at the CGV in Wangshipri, Seoul for the movie ‘Chilling Romance’, Lee MIn Ki was asked about the charm of Son Ye Jin and he repeatedly emphasized, “She was really pretty”.

Lee Min Ki introduced Son Ye Jin saying, “She was cute when we were filming, and beautiful in everyday setting”. Lee Min Ki shyly confessed blushing, “I couldn’t help but like her, like in the movie”.





As Lee Min Ki, who has tons of noona fans (sometimes dubbed the national younger man/boyfriend even), raved about Son Ye Jin, she didn’t know what to do holding her face with both hands but seemed happy nonetheless smiling a bright smile the whole time in the flurry of flashes from the cameras trying to capture her beauty. (noona = an older sister or an older acquaintance from a male point of view)

The movie ‘Chilling Romance’ is about a woman, Yeori, who is able to see ghosts after an unexpected accident and her thrilling romance with a horror magician, Jogoo who is actually afraid of ghosts.

Source: SPN via Nate

source: http://kpopfever.com/2011/11/lee-min-ki-son-ye-jin-is-all-around-beautiful/




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class="post-title entry-title"Son Ye Jin, “Drunken confessions? Possible experience for anyone” JJ October 24, 2011

Actress Son Ye Jin possibly suggested an experience of a confession made thanks to alcohol.

Son Ye Ji attended the production reports for the movie ‘Chilling Romance’ at the CGV in Seoul on October 24th and said, “When you’re dating, many times you need to borrow from the power of alcohol. Anyone could have such experience”.

The MC of the production report, Boom asked her opinion about someone drinking 30 bottles of beer in from of somebody of the opposite sex and Son Ye Jin answered, “I don’t they would drink because they like to drink but probably ended up drinking 30 bottles because they were nervous because they like the other person”.

When asked “Is that based on experience?”, Son Ye Jin interestingly answered, “It’s something anyone could have experienced”.

Son Ye Jin also added, “I don’t really drink much but after I was done with shooting ‘Chilling Romance’ I can hold my liquor better. When I drink, my face gets red and blotchy with dark red so didn’t actually drink in the movie”.

‘Chilling Romance’ tells the story between Yeo Jin (Son Ye Jin) who has issues with dating because she can see ghosts and a scardy-cat horror magician Jo Goo (played by Lee Min Ki).

Son Ye Jin also said, “It feels new to film a movie after a while away from it. I hope the movie does well with a lot of moviegoers”. ‘Chilling Romance’ will premier in December.

Source: StarIn via Nate

source: http://kpopfever.com/2011/10/son-ye-jin-drunken-confessions-possible-experience-for-anyone/

[Guest farstrep]

YT review of Chilling Romance

[Guest arch00]

OH MY GOAT chilling Romance thread  :-/ :-/ :-/ Now am making my home here :x :xLove Lee Min Ki 
my fav scenes


gifs cr to the maker

[Guest farstrep]

@arch00: Hello! :-h I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance on this thread. I look forward to our future interactions and sharing our love for "Chilling Romance".

While the rom-com (romantic comedy) genre has been a staple formula within general cinema for quite some time now, the South Korean film industry, within the last decade or so, has shown considerable favoritism towards the genre as whole. With one of the most prominent entertainment industries throughout Eastern Asia, the genre of rom-com has permeated throughout popular South Korean films, with such examples as My Sassy Girl (2001), My Little Bride (2004), and 200 Pounds Beauty (2006) being some of the country’s biggest box office showings. What’s there not to like—with a formula that subscribes to two relatively cute leads that eventually fall in love, the recipe couldn’t be simpler. But for every smash hit, there is a plethora of disappointing and shamelessly uncreative films that have plague the genre as well, with the overly exploitative nature of the genre being used simply to garner a quick return profit for film studios. So how does Hwang In-Ho’s Spellbound fare considering its connotations as a film subscribing to the relatively stale rom-com genre?

Surprisingly, Spellbound provides a refreshing albeit familiar take on a genre that is more miss-than-hit these days. Known more for his work as a screenwriter for such films as Sisily 2km (2004) and Love Phobia (2006), Spellbound is Hwang In-Ho’s directorial debut, and given his shared responsibility of both screenwriter and director for the film, shows considerable promise in the latter and continued expertise in the former. The film’s unique premise is as a great example of transcending the tired tropes of the rom-com genre while still retaining elements that have made the genre as accessible—and successful—as it is today. Horror and comedy often exhibit a sense of ambivalence within film, but Hwang handles the two with careful attention as to not have one take precedence over the other, even though the aspect of horror may appear as gimmicky as first. He elicits the elements of horror within Spellbound in a reasonable fashion, effectively bringing about a frightful take on the character’s predicaments but also inserting elements of humor and romance at just the right moments to ease and reassert the film’s genre-specific attributes.

Where the film really shines is the chemistry between Yeo-Ri and Jo-Goo, played here by Son Ye-Jin and Lee Min-Ki respectively. The film humorously builds upon their relationship as co-workers and subsequent budding romance, with Jo-Goo comically attempting to understand the terrifying world in which Yeo-Ri experiences on a daily basis. Son Ye-Jin is fantastic as her role of the loner Yeo-Ri, always attempting to avoid personal contact with individuals and simply accepting her fate as a medium of ghastly supernatural entities. On the other hand, Lee Min-Ki is also great in his role as the rather suave magician J-Goo, who slowly gets absorbed into the world of Yeo-Ri as he takes a liking to her—even if he gets easily frightened at the mere sight of a ghostly figure. Hwang uses the idea of horror in a creative fashion though—we slowly begin to see the aspects of horror within the film as an allegory towards the anxiety stemming from new relationships, in which going out on a limb to date someone that you like is just as scary as experiencing a paranormal encounter. While not as philosophical as one might hope, it complements the film’s creative narrative and removes it from simply following the superficial offerings that the genre widely offers.

Spellbound is rather uncommon in that it successfully combines romance, comedy, and horror within a framework that is supported through its strong cast. Hwang balances these elements in a way that doesn’t produce Spellbound as simply another addition in the long list of unforgettable and substandard rom-com fares, but rather creates a welcoming experience for even the most jaded of film viewers. While the film does become slightly formulaic towards the end—with an elongated conclusion that is just a tad too long for its own good—it certainly provides quite a promising future for director Hwang In-Ho as Spellbound is simply one of the better experiences to come about from one of the most overcrowded genres within contemporary South Korean cinema, reinvigorating it as one still worthy of being innovative, engaging, and just playing fun.

source: http://japancinema.net/2012/05/08/spellbound-review/

[Guest arch00]

@farstrep awww thanqu thanqu 


Chilling Romance is my latest fav rom-com movie :x :x 

[Guest arch00]

@bobsavero u here my dear chingu   ><  ) )I too loved this movie Lee Min-Ki hot hot :x :xLee Min-Ki for u dear