19 (Nineteen)
Warning: Be prepared for another mixed review - some things sucked and some things rocked.
What the Hell Am I Watching?
Today's review is about the film 19. It's a Korean flick from 2009 about teenagers, cops, murder mystery, and one lying bastard. The two male leads are Korean idols T.O.P and Seungri of boy band Big Bang fame. Fun fact: Both T.O.P and Seungri are using their stage names in place of their same real name, Seung Hyun.
Why the Hell Am I Watching This?
As is commonplace, oulan and I were browsing Netflix for a good (and by good I mean bad) movie to watch. When Netflix seemed too full of mundane or even above-average films, we turned instead to Hulu. And there, in the drama section, first item, was this gem. She looked close at the screen as I said, "That looks Korean." And she asked, looking at one of the male leads, "Is that...?" I replied, "It can't be...." Looking at the other male lead, I asked, "But is that...?" And she said, "No way..." AND IT WAS. T.O.P and Seungri. So we watched it.
Why the Hell Am I Still Watching This?
So this movie claims to be a "coming-of-age" film. Considering it takes place over the course of like 2 days, I'm finding myself doubing the whole concept. You don't just come of age in 2 days. But these kids do learn some stuff. In fact they learn a whole lot when the (actually pretty interesting) plot starts to really take off, and all three of our lead characters (2 male and 1 female, all age 19) are brought in for questioning about the death of a girl they all know or know of, and then escape the police station together. The reason I started watching was the presence of oulan's top classy guy (aside from Doojoon) T.O.P and my V.I.P Seungri, but the reason I kept watching was the interesting conundrum our teen cast found themselves in. That, and the hot Korean idols. I love hot Korean idols.
Oh, and for Seungri's awesome acting. I hope that my sarcasm came across there. As in, he is shit at acting and someone needs to tell him. It's not going to be me; I don't speak Korean. But someone. His character Park Minseo a.k.a. Number 13 did not deserve such butchery. At least he gets a scene where he gets to sing, which is Seungri's only discernible talent.
Still, T.O.P is incredible and incredibly good-looking, and that really helps to make up for the whole Seungri thing. If you're a Big Bang fan, or a fan of T.O.P or Seungri, or if you enjoy "coming-of-age" murder mysteries or Korean cinema, I recommend this film. But seriously, Seungri was shit in this flick.
What the Hell Am I Watching?
Today's review is about the film 19. It's a Korean flick from 2009 about teenagers, cops, murder mystery, and one lying bastard. The two male leads are Korean idols T.O.P and Seungri of boy band Big Bang fame. Fun fact: Both T.O.P and Seungri are using their stage names in place of their same real name, Seung Hyun.
Why the Hell Am I Watching This?
As is commonplace, oulan and I were browsing Netflix for a good (and by good I mean bad) movie to watch. When Netflix seemed too full of mundane or even above-average films, we turned instead to Hulu. And there, in the drama section, first item, was this gem. She looked close at the screen as I said, "That looks Korean." And she asked, looking at one of the male leads, "Is that...?" I replied, "It can't be...." Looking at the other male lead, I asked, "But is that...?" And she said, "No way..." AND IT WAS. T.O.P and Seungri. So we watched it.
Why the Hell Am I Still Watching This?
So this movie claims to be a "coming-of-age" film. Considering it takes place over the course of like 2 days, I'm finding myself doubing the whole concept. You don't just come of age in 2 days. But these kids do learn some stuff. In fact they learn a whole lot when the (actually pretty interesting) plot starts to really take off, and all three of our lead characters (2 male and 1 female, all age 19) are brought in for questioning about the death of a girl they all know or know of, and then escape the police station together. The reason I started watching was the presence of oulan's top classy guy (aside from Doojoon) T.O.P and my V.I.P Seungri, but the reason I kept watching was the interesting conundrum our teen cast found themselves in. That, and the hot Korean idols. I love hot Korean idols.
Oh, and for Seungri's awesome acting. I hope that my sarcasm came across there. As in, he is shit at acting and someone needs to tell him. It's not going to be me; I don't speak Korean. But someone. His character Park Minseo a.k.a. Number 13 did not deserve such butchery. At least he gets a scene where he gets to sing, which is Seungri's only discernible talent.
Still, T.O.P is incredible and incredibly good-looking, and that really helps to make up for the whole Seungri thing. If you're a Big Bang fan, or a fan of T.O.P or Seungri, or if you enjoy "coming-of-age" murder mysteries or Korean cinema, I recommend this film. But seriously, Seungri was shit in this flick.