Top Korean Movies To Watch

200 Lbs. Beauty: South Korean Movie Poster

I started watching Korean Movies before I became Korean Drama addict. I like Romantic and comedy movies of South Korea. South Korean Movie makers makes also great horror movies and psychological movies. There are many south Korean Movies have been re-made in to Hollywood such as My sassy Girl and Oldboy, confirming the power of South Korean Cinema.

Here are some of the South Korean Movies that I think makes a great viewing. Watching with subtitles has became a second nature to me, until I learn and understand enough Korean language to make it without someday.

100 days with Mr. arrogant:

Guy who bullys a girl in a slave contract and falls for her. After being dumped by her boyfriend just before their 100 day anniversary, Ha-Yeong (Ha Ji-Won) meets a college guy named Hyung-Jun (Kim Jaewon) when she kicks a can that accidentally hits him in the face and causes him to scratch his Lexus. He demands she pay him $3000 on the spot or be his slave for 100 days.

200 lbs Beauty:

Fat girl goes through cosmetic surgery to feel beautiful and find love. This is 2006 South Korean comedy film based on a Japanese manga, Kanna-san, Daiseikou Desu by Suzuki Yumiko. The story is about an overweight girl who undergoes extreme plastic surgeries to become a pop sensation. The film was a financial success, and critically well received.

Daisy:

Under-rated love story about artist and cop and hit man who are in love with her. Daisy is an urban romantic melodrama involving young painter Hye-young (Jun Ji-hyun), Interpol detective Jeong Woo (Lee Sung-jae), and professional hitman Park Yi (Jung Woo-sung).

Always/ Only You:

Beautiful love story about reformed boxer and blind girl. Love overcomes it all. This South Korean film directed by Song Il-gon. Starring So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-joo in the lead roles, it is about a romance between an ex-boxer who has closed his heart to the world and a telemarketer who remains spirited despite slowly going blind. With online tickets selling out a 2,000-seat outdoor movie theater in a record seven seconds.

Nineteen:

Story of 3 teens who are all 19, gets entangled in a murder case. Three nineteen-year olds, two boys and a girl, are accused of murder and forced to run away. Everyone, including their parents, believes they are guilty, but the experience makes their bonds strengthen as they attempt to find the real killer and prove their innocence.

A Millionaire’s First Love:

Sad love story with hope and finding what is important, money or love? Jae-Kyung (Hyun-Bin ) is a rich grandson and tough guy, his family lawyer informs Jae-Kyung about the will from his grandfather that he can only become a millionaire after he graduates from Boram High School,a countryside local school. In his class, he meets Eun-Hwan (Lee Yeon-Hee)a pretty girl. She’s some kind of different from others. Things change Jae-Kyung’s mind and became close to their new friends. Sad ending but still beautiful.

My Sassy Girl:

In this modern classic romantic comedy, a chance meeting with a drunk girl on the train puts Gyun-woo in a masochistic relationship he never wanted. But despite her bullying ways he finds himself falling in love. It tells the story of a man’s chance meeting with a drunk girl on the train which changes his life. It is ostensibly based on a true story posted on the internet in a series of blog posts written by Kim Ho-sik, which was later adapted into a novel. The film was extremely successful in South Korea and was the highest grossing Korean comedy of all time.

Almost Love:

Childhood friends realize that they love each other despite the tragedy hits. Ji-hwan is a taekwondo student with a part-time job as a stunt man, who dreams of becoming Korea’s answer to Jackie Chan. Dal-rae is a drama student and aspiring actress, but tends to fail auditions because of her timid personality. The two are old friends who have grown up together, but their relationship becomes complicated when they each start dating other people.

Baby And I :

Jang Geun-suk plays teen who find a baby on his doorstep that is not his, but takes care of the baby. Baby and I is the story of a high school student (Han Joon Su) who is a troublemaker. He takes care of abadoned baby in his shopping cart and reforms as he takes responsibility for a baby.

Cyrano Agency:

Agency that makes people fall in love, but can it really work? As the title suggests, it is a modern take on Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, and the plot focuses on a dating agency that helps its customers win the hearts of the people they desire.

The Man From Nowhere:

Tae-shik, an ex-special agent, who lives in solitude, befriends So-mi, the young girl next door. When So-mi disappears, Tae-shik is drawn into a frantic search for their whereabouts. The film follows the story of a vengeful man who embarks on a murderous rampage when the only person who seems to understand him is taken from him

Dating On Earth:

Not easy to find, in this DBSK group movie where high school student is married to a teacher. It talks about married and school life of couple, student Park Yoochun and So Hyon Jin, class advisor. Jaejoong plays troubled transferred student and rest of 3 members played Yoochun’s classmate during thier DBSK5 time.

War of the Arrows (2011):

Set in 1636, the Manchurians kidnap childhood sweethearts, Ja-in and Seo-Goon on their wedding day. In an effort to save his sister, Ja-in and brother Nam-Yi sets out to defeat the enemy and save his sister and other Korean victims with only 1 bow.

Masquerade:

Political intrigue, betrayal, peril and forbidden romance play out in this lavish, critically acclaimed, historical epic set in the royal palace of Korea’s ancient Joseon Dynasty story of King and his body-double.

The Righteous Thief:

Fun movie! Mu-hyeok Hong is the 18th generation descendant of Hong Kil-dong (famous Robin Hood like character). By day, he works as a high school music teacher, but by night becomes a Hong Kil-dong like thief.

My Girlfriend Is An Agent:

A huge box office hit in Korea, this action-packed romantic comedy pits two former lovers now both working a secret mission to infiltrate the Russian mob.

Seducing Mr. Perfect:

Min-jun is yet again pondering over a recent break-up when she gets into a fender bender with a man named Robin Heiden, who turns out to be her new hotshot boss from the US.

Oldboy:

Pyschological thriller, after a drunken night on the town, Oh Dae-su wakes up in the morning to discover he has been locked up, without explanation, in a mysterious prison for the next 15 years.

The Thieves:

A stylish mix of light romance and dark crime caper, with nothing going on as planned. It was the one of the best crime heist film I have seen that will leave you guessing until the end.

There are many great south Korean Movies that are great to watch.

What South Korean Movies have you seen and liked?

January 18, 2014January 25, 2014

Dating On Earth: Park Yoochun’s Early Movie

Dating on Earth: Image Source

This is an early Banjun Theater production featuring all 5 DBSK members when they were all part of SM entertainment. I am not sure which years this movie production came in as finding much information about it is not easy, nor finding a copy of this movie is easy. I believe, Dating On Earth must came in 2005 or 2006 or later but surely before 2009.

Why I am writing about it if it is hard to find? Because, it is wonderful to movie production that we get to see all 5 members of DBSK together, after the kpop Idol DBSK broke up in 2009. Even though it is early production, Park Yoochun shows promise of acting style which is clearly more evident in Roof Top Prince, Missing You and other dramas that has starred in. It may not have mainstream apeal and hard to find in netflix and drama streaming site, I got to watch through youtube once and it is my one of treasured movie that I like to watch once in awhile still.

Park Yoochun In Dating on Earth: So Young and Cute: Image source: DBSKnights

This movie story about Park Yoochun who is 2 year behind, so still in 3rd year of high school. He is already married at young age to So Hyon Jin and they seemed to be happily married. Yoochun has tried to save a junior (Max Changmin) from bad guys before so he had to go to prison for 2 years, that is why he is behind and still in high school. There are not many school who would take him.

Park Yoochun seemed to be popular in his school and class liked by both girls and guys. Jung Yunho plays smart and quite class president. Xiah Junsu and Max Changmin plays Yoochun’s friends and classmates. Kim Jaejoong plays transfer students with troubled past.

Dating on earth: Couple’s Outfit: Source Youtube Freeze frame

Yoochun’s wife comes one day to school to work as Home room teacher to Yoochun’s class. He is surely not happy about it, but they keep their relation of marriage secret from school for time being. That causes some issues when Jaejoong’s character gets smitten by So Hyun’s care as he is orphaned and hardly showed love and care from anyone. That create love triangle and rift between Yoochun and Jaejoong.

Yoochun and Jaejoong: Love Rival

Yoochun Finds Out His Wife is now his teacher

Trouble in Marriage: Korean Hand Pulling

Caring Teacher to Jaejoong

Deep Thinking: source for all above image: Image source

There is also side track story of bad guys trying to recruit Jaejoon and So Hyun’s trying to save him. At the end, who class get together against bad guys and everything ends well between friends and married couple.

I like this movie very much, although it is hard to find, you can find it occasionally on you tube. Here is a current version on You Tube, so you can watch it for free and it has English subtitles too.

Watch Dating On Earth on You Tube for Free: Dating on You Tube

January 17, 2014January 18, 2014

Bollywood Movies For Beginners

There are lot of people who watch Bollywood movies and dramas. I was surprised to find a few non-indian people can even sing a song of Bollywood movies. Bollywood gets his name from Hollywood and movies are made in Bombay (now called Mumbai). So Bombay + Hollywood makes kind of bollywood, at least that is what I think how name came about. If anyone knows, do let me know. Indian bollywood movies are fun, the outfits are colorful and bright. Girls look pretty and guys are rugged and handsome. There is a song and dance every 15 minutes or so in a movie and it feels like it is part of movie like old hollywood musicals. If you ever want to see the craze for bollywood movies and check out movies, here are some movies that I think are perfect for new beginners to bollywood scenes.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai:

The story is about 2 girls and 1 boy in college. One of the girl is a tomboy and in love with a guy name Rahul for a long time. They are best friends as well. Until one pretty girl comes in the college, who is not only beautiful but also has a good heart. a boy falls for Tina the pretty girl. Anjali, the tomboy girl, leaves broken hearted to another city as wishes the pair well. Then story skips after 8 years, when Anjali is no longer a tomboy and has became beautiful but still harbor love from the past and unable to forget Rahul. She is about to get married to great guy whom she likes as a person but not in love with him. Meanwhile, Tina has died and she has 8 years old girl, Rahul is widower now. Tina has written a letter for her daughter when she turns 8 to read, as she feels bad about coming between Anjali and Rahul in college, so she ask her daughter and mother’s in law to help reunite Rahul and Anjali, can this happen? Do they have a chance at love second time around. Watch this very entertaining story of love, chances and dancing in this very popular and box office hit, Kuch Kuch Hota hai, which stars ever famous ShahRukh Khan, Rani Mukharji and Kajol.

Click here to get: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Bollywood Movie

Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai

I simply love this movie and Hritik Roshan who debuted with this movie and plays a double role of one rich and one poor guy who are not related by blood, but just happened to look alike. Rohit is an aspiring singer who meets Sonia. Their attraction turns to love when their cruise ship abandons them on a deserted island. Upon return to civilization, Rohit meets with an accident and is killed. A grief-stricken Sonia is sent to New Zealand to her cousin to recover. When she reached there she meets Raj, who looks exactly like Rohit. Raj accompanies Sonia back to India, and at the airport, he is shot at. That s when they realize that Rohit s death was not an accident… I have also written a review about this movie as it is my favorite movie and I watch it a few times in a year. Read the review here: Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Bollywood Movie Review.

Click here for: Kaho Na Pyar Hai Bollywood Movie

Om Shanti Om:

In this revenge and re-incarnation story that take place around movie industry. Shahruk plyas Omprakash Makhija is a junior artiste in the film industry. He yearns to be a top star like Shantipriya whom he admires and also loves. One day, Omprakash saves Shantipriya s life while shooting for a film. Shantipriya feels obliged towards him. Top film producer Mukesh Mehra is married to Shantipriya but he is not prepared to go public with the marriage. When she tells him that she is carrying his child, he locks her in a studio and sets it on fire. Omprakash is in the studio compound and all his efforts to save Shantipriya are futile. He dies thereafter. Shantipriya also breathes her last in the fire. On the same day on which Omprakash expires in hospital, a top star s wife delivers a baby boy in the maternity ward of the same hospital. The baby boy, Om Kapoor, grows up to become a top star. As time passes, Om Kapoor gets visions of his past life till it is clear that he is Omprakash Makhija reborn. Thirty years after Omprakash and Shantipriya s deaths, producer Mukesh now called Mike because of his base having shifted to Hollywood resurfaces. Om now seeks revenge on Mike by planning a film with him.

Click here for: Om Shanti Om Bollywood DVD With English Subtitles

3 Idiots:

3 Idiots is loosely adapted from the novel Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat. The film stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Omi Vaidya, Parikshit Sahni and Boman Irani. 3 Idiots went on to become the highest-grossing Bollywood film. The story is about 3 friends in elite and hard to get in University and pressure they feel, friendship, love and learning from sake of knowledge is all blended well together. It made me cry in happiness.

Farhan Qureshi and Raju Rastogi want to re-unite with their fellow collegian, Rancho, after faking a stroke aboard an Air India plane, and excusing himself from his wife – trouser less – respectively. Enroute, they encounter another student, Chatur Ramalingam, now a successful businessman, who reminds them of a bet they had undertaken 10 years ago. The trio, while recollecting hilarious antics, including their run-ins with the Dean of Delhi’s Imperial College of Engineering, Viru Sahastrabudhe, race to locate Rancho, at his last known address – little knowing the secret that was kept from them all this time.

Click here to watch 3 Idiots Instantly

Click here to get 3 Idiots with English Subtitles.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

This multi stars movie is about a loving family who gets separated due to a misunderstanding and how younger brothers grows up and vows to bring back separated older brothers and parents together. The movie title means “Sometimes happiness, sometimes sadness”. Although often times movie tend to focus on sadness, there are plenty of laughter, dance and song sequences and love stories amid all chaos.

Yashovardhan Raichand (Amitabh Bachchan) and his wife Nandini (Jaya Bachchan) have raised their sons, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) showering them with love and affection. Yash has tried to pass on to his sons the values, heritage and traditions of their family. Nandini has different dreams for her sons. Dreams of love that she wanted both her sons to experience, more so Rahul as she shares a special bond with him. A bond that has been cultivated with love for a child that was never meant to be… a child who was adopted.

Rahul marries Anjali and brings her home but his father doesn’t approve of her. Rahul thus decides to leave home causing his mother’s every waking moment to be spent eagerly awaiting his return. Seeing this the younger son Rohan makes a promise to reunite the family and bring back the happiness they once shared.

Click here to get: Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham With English Subtitles

Dhoom:

This movie and Dhoom Series franchise is not about award winning story or performance, however it is 100% fun and entertaining films that is keeps you edges of your seat until the end. This movie is thriler which has shades of Hollywood movies such as Fast and Furious and Ocean’s eleven, but still different.

Yashraj. Jai (Abhishek Bachchan), a smart assistant police commissioner has a tough time finding a clue to the theft committed by four helmeted men on bikes. They do it so deftly that nobody gets a clue. The only evidence is the super speed hi tech bikes they use for the heist. Jai’s investigation follow the bikes and he meets Ali ( Uday Chopra )an exceptional racer who works as a garage mechanic cum bike dealer. He is an easy going character and his weaknesses other than his bike are women and money.Although they are just the opposites and don’t get along well, Jai and a reluctant Ali form a team to book the culprits.

Meanwhile the gang of bikers lead by Kabir (John Abraham) carry on with their heists at night and work as pizza boys in daylight. Once they almost get caught by Jai but escapes leaving just a bike behind. Kabir informs Jai of their next venture and throws a challenge to either catch him or leave him alone. Even with all the planning the cops fail and the robbers goes scot-free. Jai feels dejected and wants to quit his job. Kabir plans his final robbery at a casino in Goa. Jai and Ali are ready for him. Will they succeed?

Click here to get : Dhoom With English Subtitles (under $10)

Krrish

This is India’s first true super hero kind of movie and sequel to Koi Mil Gaya. As a young boy Krishna played by Bollywood Hunk Hritik Roshan, was born with super intelligence and power that came from his father and an Alien called Jadoo (Magic) from the previous movie. His parents are supposedly dead and he is raised by his grand mother in remote village, as she does not want scientist and people to use and experiment on his super ability, so she lives in small remote village with him and asks to never reveal his talents to anyone.

As Krishna grows up to be in peace and sheltered environment from the world, he meets a girl who is visiting small town with her friends and falls in love with her. She is a reporter and promises to come back but when she does not, Krishna goes to a city to look for her. Does she really love him or want to use him? Will Krishna be able to help people, hide his true identity and win love? You will have to see this amazing Bollywood movie to decide for yourself.

Click here to see : Krrish with English Subtitles

Kal Ho Naa Ho

Kal Ho Naa Ho takes place in Manhattan, New York, and is the story of three people, Aman, Rohit (Saif Ali Khan), and Naina (Preity Zinta). The plot is fairly simple. We have a love triangle with a twist. Boy loves girl, girl loves another boy, other boy loves girl. The twist comes when everyone finds out that Aman has a secret. He knows this and pushes Naina away from him and towards her long time friend who has fallen in love with her. It has nice catchy music beat and songs.

Naina lives in bickering, semi-Christian and Punjabi family, has handicapped brother and younger sister and widowed mother and is depressed in life but still tries to live and make best from it all. One day Aman who relocates in her neighborhood and makes her realize how beautiful she really is and brings love in from of Rohit. Rohit likes Naina but is unable to confess his love to her. Aman helps them both and shows them how to live, only to see he has dark and painful secret of his own that he is hiding.

Click here to see Kal Ho Naa Ho with English subtitles

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

This is entertaining movie about a con man Ricky Bahl, who frauds girls very intelligently and dumps them. 3 dumped girls get together to get revenge on him by hiring con-woman of their own. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, as the title suggests, is primarily a tussle between a charismatic con man Ricky Bahl (Ranveer Singh) and three lovely ladies- Dimple (Parineeti), Raina (Dipannita) and Saira (Aditi). The war begins when Ricky (in disguise of fictitious names) cheats on the ladies by disappearing with their money.

Raina being the smartest of all, along with Dimple and Saira, plans to take revenge from Ricky, with a help of small-time sales-woman who works in a mall- Ishika Desai (Anushka Sharma). They are on the verge of winning the battle, when Ishika falls in love with Ricky, who too claims to be all hers. Now, will Ishika remain loyal to the ladies and con Ricky or will she get carried away in love is what follows next in the story.

Click here to get Ladies vs Ricky Bahl With English Subtitles (Under $10)

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

This is unlikely love story between a shy guy and energetic and extrovert girl. When they get married in family emergency situation, he is in love but she is not.

Shy, introverted, and kind-hearted Surinder Sahni is an office worker for Punjab Power. He quietly falls in love with the daughter of his former professor, beautiful and vivacious Tania Gupta, whom he first sees during the preparations for her wedding. Upon their first meeting however, Taani jokingly berates and blames him for setting an impossible set of standards that she was never able to meet as a child. A short while later, Taani’s father suffers a heart attack when the entire wedding party learns that her fiance and his family were killed in a traffic accident. Fearing that Taani will be alone in the world, the professor asks Suri to marry her. Suri concedes; Taani tearfully agrees only to please her father. However, Taani tells him that while she will try to be a good wife, she can never love him due to having no love left within her. Suri still continues to indulge her every desire that includes him becoming a extrovert alter ego Raj for dancing class, just the way Taani would like. Will she choose Raj or Suri at the end?

Click here to get Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi With English Subtitles

Indian bollywood movies are fun to watch, has plenty of funny scenes, colorful outfits, song and dance routines and of course love, revenge, suspense story that is entertaining to watch for even non-indians and Indians alike.

Click here to check out more Great Indian Bollywood Movies

January 12, 2014January 17, 2014

Kaho Na Pyar Hai: Say It Is Love Movie Review

Kaho Na Pyar Hai: Hritik and Ameesha

Kaho Na Pyar Hai (Say It Is Love)

I like Hritik Roshan since I saw this movie! KAHO NAA…PYAAR HAI . Kaho Na Pyar Hai is a 2000 blockbuster Bollywood film which first introduced Hrithik Roshan to the world and made him an overnight success. Rakesh Roshan who has directed many other successful movies, director of the film is also Hritik’s father. Debuting actress Amisha Patel, who looks like sweetness and light personified, also became,an instant commodity as well. Certainly, without the two leads (and specifically Hrithik), the movie wouldn’t be all that and a bag of chips. As it is, it’s box office bonanza.

Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai was the biggest Bollywood commercial success of 2000 and won many awards, including eight Filmfare Awards. Rakesh Roshan collected his first ever Filmfare Award, which he won as producer and as director. Hrithik became the only actor to win both, the Filmfare Award for Best Debut with the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the same film. He was praised by young and old for his acting and dancing abilities.

Hritik and Ameesha in Kaho Na Pyar Hai

Get this movie under 7 bucks at Amazon: Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai Bollywood DVD (With English Subtitles)

Cast

Hrithik Roshan as Rohit / Raj Chopra
Ameesha Patel as Sonia Saxena
Anupam Kher as Mr. Saxena / Sirjee
Dalip Tahil as Shakti Malik
Mohnish Behl as Inspector Kadam
Ashish Vidyarthi as Inspector Shinde
Satish Shah as Anthony Uncle (Rohit’s landlord)
Farida Jalal as Lily Aunty (Rohit’s landlady)
Rajesh Tandon as Atul Malik (Shakti Malik’s son and Sonia’s friend)
Asha Patel as Mrs. Chopra (Raj’s mother)
Tanaaz Currim as Neeta Saxena
Vrajesh Hirjee as Tony (Rohit’s friend)
Abhishek Sharma as Amit (Rohit’s younger brother)
Johnny Lever as Inspector Parab
Kamya Punjabi as girl on cruise ship

The first half of the film indulges in some pretty sappy romantic fluff, cruise scenes that are mushy. Suddenly movie takes turn with murder. Then the scenery changes to New Zealand and the story gains serious momentum as the oh-so-gentle love story turns into a gripping crime drama and chase film.

So, exciting action for the guys. For the girls, a leading man with flashing green eyes, a muscular physique, explosive dancing skills, and one other thing. Boyfriends and male buddies of the female audience might end up loathing this dude,but one can’t really deny that the man can actually deliver his lines and effectively perform in his dual roles. Amisha Patel, cute and lovable as she is, is still overshadowed by Hrithik.

KAHO NAA…PYAAR HAI is almost three hours long, which gives the movie ample time to plug Coke and Popcorn. The songs are mostly fun and are, in turns, wistful and hopeful and romantic.

Pyar Ki Kashti Mein: Kaho Na Pyar Hai Song (Double Role _ 1st Guy)

Ek Pal Ka Jeena: Kaho Na Pyar Hai Song (Double Role_ 2nd Guy)

I loved this movie so much. have already watched it several times. Hrithik Roshan does great playing two totally different characters. I could watch it again and again. Loved the music. And the dance scene, especially the one in the club was spectacular!!! If you like Hrithik Roshan, this is a must see!!! Not only is he the most gorgeous guy I have ever laid eyes on, but he is an extremely talented dancer and actor. I don’t like too many action flicks, but this movie kept me captivated. What I love about Bollywood movies as opposed to Hollywood, is that they are so clean. They are far more romantic than most Hollywood movies without all the physical and not enough emotional connection. This movie is no exception.

If you are interested in getting this movie with English Subtitle, you can get it under 7 bucks at Amazon: Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai Bollywood DVD (With English Subtitles)