Sisyphus’ Sigma: A Look into Mental Illness
Man on High Heels
Country: South Korea Year: 2014 Genre: Drama, Crime, Action
People judge one another so easily and thoughtlessly based on stereotypes and prejudice that they don't give a second thought to the people they attack. They care nothing about the pain and suffering they inflict or try to understand the terrible journey the other people followed in order to gather enough courage to make up their minds. They use words like immoral, wrong, inhuman, nature-defying, etc… Playing God, they sit on their thrones and pass sentences. They disregard humanity and freedom. Cast out and disregarded, the wounds of these hurt people never heal.
Yoon Ji Wook (the invincible Cha Seung Won) is a legendary detective who is feared by all criminals. He never uses weapons, and his skills are incomparable. Despite his manly appearance and fighting skills, he hides a woman inside. Though he tried his whole life to suppress her by enlisting in the Marines and losing himself in work, the woman stays. Not able to fight her any longer, he decides to face her. But will things go his way?!
I've watched Cha Seung Won playing all types of roles, and he never ceases to impress me. Not just anyone can pull off this role. Not just anyone can drag you into the pain the character feels in the way Cha Seung Won did. He might be the only actor whom I can never imagine others playing his roles. I have never held anything against transgender individuals; but at the same time I have never really sat down and thought deeply about them, about what they feel, what they think, what they face and what they suffer. Cha Seung Won did it all. He's simply led me there, held my hand, and made me see all I never saw... or never took the trouble to see.
Yes, the film might specifically tackle transgender suffering, but it generally lays bare the appalling realities behind what most people consider immoral and disgusting. How each word can literally and metaphorically kill people. How the moment a person considers themselves the Self and regards anyone with a different view as an Other, humanity bids the Self adios.
The Girl's Ghost Story
Country: South Korea Year: 2014 Genre: Drama, Horror, School
No matter how many works I watch on ghosts I never get sick of them. Wonder why!
In Soo (Kang Ha Neul) is a high school student who keeps transferring between schools trying to escape seeing ghosts. One day in his new school he meets the lonely ghost of Sae Hee (Kim So Eun) and they become friends. He realizes that Sae Hee has multiple personalities because of the depth of the pain she had to endure. Her other personality is back to resolve the grudge while In Soo is there to help her stop.
The film is not about ghosts as much as it is about karma and the consequences of everybody’s actions. Another work depicting extreme bullying in Korean high schools, it’s beautifully done. The horror element is not severe and pain has mystique. There are some comic scenes that freshen up the dark story. It’s worth a try.
Blood Rain
Country: South Korea Year: 2005 Genre: Historical, Mystery, Thriller
Sageuk, investigation, AND Cha Seung Won?! Well, too tempting for me.
Won Kyu (Cha Seung Won) is a young, diligent, upright and idealistic detective. One day he's sent to an island to investigate an arson case. Giving his all to solve the case, much more gets revealed to him. The young detective finds himself stuck in a serial killing case with grudges, vengeance and superstitions surrounding it. The more he digs, the deeper he sinks into the mud of the horrific tale. Though he solves the case, and though the world seems fine on the outside, Won Kyu’s own world completely alters. His ideals and what he always believed to be true scatter in front of him. Though living, he’s not alive anymore.
The film is a genuine investigation film set in the 19th century. The plot is well-written, and the twists are so interesting. Prejudice against Catholicism that became a sensation, hierarchy and classes, superstition versus science, and the gap between theory and practice are all depicted in the film. Once Won Kyu takes the case and sinks into the struggle, you can’t take your eyes away. The lighting, sounds, and effects are awesome. The abominable crime scenes are so realistically portrayed I couldn’t help but close my eyes. And Cha Seung Won! His superb acting gives the film a different and more fabulous air... biased as I am.
