I started watching Korean movies when I was 14. My sister brought home a VCD-copy (so old-school!!!!) of My Sassy Girl. It was also around the time I became a fan of DBSK. Mixed with my newfound love for Korean movies and Korean boyband, I tried to get my hands on anything Korean, even snacks like Lotte Choco Pie.
My sister and I would visit 168 mall in Divisoria and buy DVDs of Korean movies. We’d buy about ten movies each visit since the place is about 2-3 hour drive from home. We devoured the movies like hungry people who haven’t eaten for ten years. We were just craving for more every time we finish one.
It’s only sensible that we attend our first Korean Film Festival 2011 together. We’ve been watching in our laptops and TVs for the past 8 years, we would be stupid to let this event slip by.
We went to MOA on September 19 for the premiere night, but my sister arrived there first. She informed me that only people with invitations could enter the screening. But would I hear any of it? NO. I mean, my sister’s already there and I was on my way, how could I just give up? When I arrived at MOA, Cinema 6 was packed. There’s like a soiree and even bright lights and little tables. Yes, it was my first time to see such thing. Heh.
Even though we already know that the event was invitational, I still persistently asked the girl in the entrance if there’s really no way we could enter. It just felt silly to give up easily. So we swallowed our pride and asked about a hundred times whether we could enter. Came 7:30, they finally said that we actually could catch the screening! They just had to wait and see if the other invites would arrive. Some didn’t so my sister and I grabbed the chance and bolted inside the cinema. (I don’t understand how they could deny anything free though. I grab anything free when it’s personally offered to me! I’m just not sure if that says anything bad about me.)
My sister and I watched Secret Reunion starring Kang DongWon and Song KangHo. It is so good! I’ve had a copy of the movie for a while now but I was too lazy to watch it. I’m glad I watched it for the first time in a movie house because it’s really so good! I’m a big fan of South Korean action movies, and I’ve already expressed how much I loved Secret Reunion here. Seeing Kang DongWon in a larger-than-life screen is a big plus, too.
I attended the event twice more. I watched Hwang JinYi with Ayessa last wednesday night. Let me just say that Yoo JiTae is one hot mess in that movie. Then on thursday night, I watched For Eternal Hearts with Ayessa and Alex (please don’t tell my parents ha). It’s not that good. In fact, it dragged on on too many parts, but Jung KyungHo is cute so it was tolerable. Alex fell asleep, though. Good thing it’s free!!!
I wanted to watch Happy Life last friday night because it’s one of my favorite Korean movies of all time but I missed it. Sigh. I wanted to watch this weekend, too, but I had to go back to Laguna. Sigh 2.0.
Despite having watched only three movies, it’s still an incredible experience. Reading the subtitles isn’t an easy feat since you had to deal with the people in front of you blocking some parts of the subs. But it was fun to watch South Korean movies with other people. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the collective gasp and laughter of the viewers.
I wish there’ll be another film festival next year. There was a horror-themed festival last year so I’m crossing my fingers that they’ll do it again next year. I really hope they focus on comedy or action flicks because they really deliver the best.
I don’t think I can ever get tired of South Korean movies. There’s just always something new to see. They just have a refreshing take on pretty much everything. I have watched almost every genre and I have a favorite from each one. Just please let me be obsessed with South Korean movie for a longer period of time and I’ll be a happy fangirl.
I also wish to watch more Korean films on the big screen. An in-your-face Jang GeunSuk will make me X100 happier than I am now.
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