Dec
26
2007
Happiness (Hengbok)
Posted by luna6 14 Comments
Movie Review: Happiness / Hengbok / 행복
Release Date : October 3, 2007
Country : South Korea
Director : Jin-ho Hur
Starring : Jeong-min Hwang, Su-jeong Lim
Runtime : 121 min
Editor Rating : 8.0
Users Rating: 7.79 
(34 votes)
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Jin-ho Hur’s name has become almost synonymous with bittersweet Korean romantic dramas. By now it’s hard to talk about that genre without mentioning his 1998 classic movie “Christmas in August.” Personally, its been over 5 years since I last watched that movie, but I can still vividly remember the angst I felt from waiting for an encounter that never came to fruition. Hur then went on to make two more films, “One Fine Spring Day” (2001) and “April Snow” (2005), that were similar in style, but lacked the freshness and punch of his debut film. Give the man credit at least for his resiliency, because his latest film “Happiness” covers similar ground.
Even though “Happiness” in its barest form is a romantic drama on the same level as Hur’s earlier films, the movie stands out for its captivating lensing, emotive soundtrack, and just plain darker theme. What you take out of “Happiness” I would guess depends largely on what you are looking for in “Happiness.”
After hitting rock bottom, night club manager Young-Su (Jeong-min Hwang) prepares to make an exit. He tells his friends and family that he’s traveling abroad and won’t be back for a couple of years. Where Young-Su actually goes is a small rural town, to check himself into “Hotel Hope” a sanitarium for alternative medicine. After years of heavy drinking Young-su now suffers from cirrhosis of the liver.
At the sanitarium he meets a bashful girl named Eun-Hee (Su-jeong Lim). Like Young-Su she also suffers from a debilitating disease (weakness of the lungs), but unlike Young-Su, she thinks of “Hotel Hope” as home. She doesn’t have family and has stayed at the sanitarium for over 8 years. Eventually the charming Young-Su sweeps Eun-Hee off her feet and they become a couple. At Eun-Hee’s insistence, they decide to leave the sanitarium and live together as a couple. Eun-Hee tells Young-Su that if he’s not happy he can leave.
Initially the couple lives like newlyweds but problems arise when Young-Su’s friends arrive for a surprise visit. One of his friends happens to be his ex-girlfriend and she still has strong feelings for him. Before they leave, they ask Young-Su when will he return to Seoul. After some time, Young-Su gets increasingly frustrated with small town life and is tempted to return to the fast life of Seoul. Where exactly can happiness be found?
The first half of the film recalls classic Korean dramas like Hur’s very own “Christmas in August.” While Young-Su and Eun-Hee encountered their initial courtship the backdrop had the simplistic look of those earlier Korean classics. Even though the visual style was almost reactionary in style, it did vividly express the feel of a small rural Korean community. You could literally feel the breeze from the mountainside while Young-Su and Eun-Hee walked along a path or smelled the aroma of the ramen noodles that cooked over a propane gas mini-stove. The warmth between Young-Su and Eun-Hee were tangible and it was a pleasure to watch Jeong-min Hwang and Su-jeong Lim perform together.
Once the couple moved out of “Hotel Hope” and into their own apartment, problems then arose. It’s easy at this point to think of Young-Su as just a despicable jerk and for the most part he was. But, what made it fascinating to watch was the manner in which the movie revealed small clues, not to justify his actions, but to give better understanding for his actions. Personally, one of the more impressive scenes occurred when Young-Su confronted Eun-Hee after drinking way too many bottles of Soju. Partially because of his weakness and partially because of his kindness, he couldn’t leave Eun-Hee straight out. Yet he was conniving enough to use alcohol to muster up the courage to demand Eun-Hee break up with him and if not…reveal enough secrets to push her into demanding for a breakup. Devious, clever, calculating and utterly fascinating to watch.
If you watch “Happiness” for a meaning or a message than you will be likely disappointed. The film offers a basic message that many other movies have, which is to cherish what you have. What drew me into the film was the character study on the flawed character of Young-Su, played by Jeong-min Hwang. He is a tortured soul and, quite frankly, an asshole, but there are enough redeeming qualities laid out to want to understand his mindset. Having Su-jeong Lim play alongside Jeong-min Hwang certainly did not hurt. Visually the film is fantastic, juxtaposing between simplistic shots of the countryside and edgier compositions in the city. The soundtrack is a throwback to classic Korean songs that sounded wonderful as well. As stated earlier, what you take out of “Happiness” largely depends on what you are looking for in “Happiness.” There’s enough ingredients stirring in the pot to make many different meals.
Cast:
Jeong-min Hwang (Young Su)
Su-jeong Lim (Eun-hee)Hyo-jin Kong (Su-yeon)
Seung-su Ryu (Dong Chun)
If you like this movie you may enjoy: Josee the Tiger and the Fish, Crying Out Love in the Center of the World, Failan
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2007 Movie Reviews, Korean Movies, Movie Reviews |
Comments
14 Comments so far
Luna6 I definitely will, however still haven’t got time to see that one. Or maybe I had so many other movies which have tempted me more so far ^^. Promise to let you know as soon as I get to see ‘Christmas in August’. Greetings from my corner of the world :D
Nalyah, let me know what you think of “Christmas in August” …cheers…
Thank you Luna. I have just got this movie and I am looking forward to seeing it :)
I am not really just into pure melo-drama hehe. But once in a blue moon, why not? :)
Nalyah if you liked Happiness you should check out the director’s classic tear jerker “Christmas in August” … that one came out 10 years ago, but still an unforgetteable film if you are into pure melo-drama.
It was a very good movie. Very sad, very dramatic and in some ways nostalgic.
I liked her in i am a cyborg and also in this movie, but i dont rate here among the top actresses in korea…
hi does anyone know the name of the old korean song that young-su plays on his guitar?
I really admire her as an actress. I haven’t seen this movie, but i’ve seen a few of her movies, and she was very good in all of them. She is still young, wish the best for her :)
Out of curiosity what do you think about Su-jeong Lim?
I watched this one in the weekend and it was a very beautiful drama which shed a tear to my eyes…
Jeong-min Hwang is an actor that i always enjoy watching and he did a good job here again :-)
Hey Rahat,
Criticism are valid with Hur treading water down the same path as Christmas in August. Yet, this time around I thought there was enough differences where I didn’t think about his other films.
The most glaring fault with “Happiness” would be with the subject matter that’s been covered by Hur and others countless of times. Yet, when I watched the film I was immediately taken by the presence of Jeong-min Hwang and Su-jeong Lim on screen. Two incredibly talented actors that performed on the money. The rest of the reasons were explained in the review. Cheers…
I have to say I’m surprised how well this film has been received. Personally, it feels like Hur will never surpass Christmas in August, and though he tries to pass off similar levels of subtle melodrama here, I think that he failed for the most part
How about “I’m a Cyborg but That’s OK”? She won me over after that performance.
This looks like a movie i want to see badly, cant wait to see it :-) The male lead is a very good actor imho, i am not sure yet about the girl, she hasnt convinced me yet of her acting abilities…