[FILM REVIEW] COIN LOCKER GIRL aka CHINATOWN, 2015

Coin Locker Girl also known as Chinatown is a 2015 Korean movie that stars Kim Hye Soo and Kim Go Eun. I must admit I watched this because of my curiosity in Kim Go Eun's past works. Fans will know Kim Go Eun as the over-thinker Hong Seol from hit tvN drama Cheese in the Trap whom personalities I can relate so much but I guarantee you that she is different in this film. And what I mean by different is that she's BADDASS!

[SPOILER ALERT!!!]

[Plot] Coin Locker Girl aka Chinatown, 2015 - stars Kim Hye Soo, Kim Go Eun

A baby was abandoned in a coin locker of a train station. A beggar took the baby who was in fact a girl and was named Il-Young (Kim Go Eun). After some years, Il-Young with some other abandoned children were sold to a loan shark and organ traficking group from Chinatown. The organization was headed by a so-called Mother (Kim Hye Soo). Il-Young who is now 18 years of age grew up as a tomboyish and courageous woman. With this, she gained the trust of Mother and did tasks for her. One day, as per Mother's instruction, Il-Young went to a house of a debtor but instead met the son's debtor (Park Bo Gum). Their meeting will eventually open Il-Young's mind to new experiences but then little as she knows Mother is on watch of her every move.

Coin Locker Girl aka Chinatown 2015 Trailer

Korean films especially those action and thrilling ones can be quite gross with all the blood and killings. But its a good thing that I am not allergic with those kinds of scenes so I still managed to finish this movie. I haven't watched Kim Hye Soo's past works so I have to Google her first. Then, I found out she is actually an award winning actress and she is glamourous with her outfits and appearance so her portrayal of Mother is something new for her. I love actresses that loves portraying challenging characters.

Just like what I said, if you just know Kim Go-Eun as the curly college girlfriend of Yoo Jung sunbae in Cheese well you are definitely missing a lot of things. I looove her appearance in this movie. I like baddass characters for women like the james bond type or the rebel type of roles. And to warn you, girl can really smoke, literally! 

For me, Kim Go Eun just cemented her talent with her portrayal of Il-Young. What I just don't like is that Kim Go Eun and Kim Hye Soo's characters talk a little lowly or is it justmy headset that time? I don't know. Park Bo Gum on the other hand is such a cutie here. His character is just a little pitiful with the screentime and all but that's how the story is, so yeah, heh! Go Kyung-Pyo who plays Chi Do, another right hand of Mother is very annoying. I can now relate to some netizen's comment now on how even though the guy is cute he has this certain look on his face that can be easily seen as a bad guy. Still, the guy is cute though.

The story seems to tell me that even in the darkest places you can always find people that you can care about. That no matter how bad you are you can still search for something meaningful. Its just a little bit of sacrifice from here and there but you can still find it if you want to.

Like what I told you the first time, make sure to not eat while watching this movie if you can be easily grossed out with things like blood because there are many scenes like that, just to warn you. This is a great movie to start if you are having an intense girl crush with Kim Go Eun. But make sure that you can watch action movies like this or might as well be prepared and watch it with your close friend. 

[FILM REVIEW] The Girl in the Sunny Place, Hidamari No Kanojo 2013

The Girl in the Sunny Place, 2013

This is a film that I watched months ago. I remember telling myself that I should write a review about it but then personal things happened so I continued to forgot. But, it is not yet too late. Even if I believe this is a movie that should be viewed during Christmas time but then everyday can be Christmas so here it is. :)

[SPOILER ALERT!!!]

[Plot] The Girl in the Sunny Place, Hidamari No Kanojo 2013 - starring Jun Matsumoto and Juri Ueno

The story is about the relationship of Kosuke (Matsumoto) and Mao (Ueno). Kosuke works as a salesman at a Railway Advertising Company and is shy to approach girls not until he met Mao again. Kosuke and Mao shared their first love together but was separated when Kosuke transferred to another school. After they met, the two slowly found their love for each other but little as Kosuke knows Mao is hiding a secret that can break them off again.

The Girl in the Sunny Place, 2013 Trailer

The secret can be quite misleading to the point that I expected other things to happen. But Jun Matsumoto and Juri Ueno's tandem is a much watch. I am a fan of Juri since I watched her in Nodame. She is very pretty and a great actress. She can be in a comedic, dramatic or even horror role and she will certainly deliver. And did I mention I find her so pretty, yeah, I know I mentioned that already. 

Jun Matsumoto on the other hand is being gorgeous despite of the years that had passed since knowing him in his Hana Yori Dango days. I hated him that time because I was this huge fan of DaoMingsu (Meteor Garden), yes the Taiwanese version! I don't actually found him handsome nor cute those times but here in this movie he is! I guess age can do you good. The two are so eye candy in the screen. I almost shipped them actually!

The story can be your casual love rekindled type of film but the secret managed to pull me. One time I was thinking what would be the secret? then, yeah, after some hints and a few guesses I finally discovered what is Mao hiding to Kosuke. I love the cinematography and the colors of every scene. I love Japanese romantic movies because they can bring me to my pasts. Like the first love story, I thought about what I was during highschool when I was kind of innocent. There is something so nostalgic in every frame. I love that the story revolves around the main characters and there are just few people around them. Also, I love that finally they managed to cast young actors who resembles the actual couple. I find Wakana Aoi so similar to Juri and so is Takumi Kitamura to Jun. I love their scenes together to the point that I even made a video of them. The two are so cute! :)

Wakana Aoi and Takumi Kitamura as young Kosuke and Mao

The story seems to say that love can be found unexpectedly. That even if you lost track of someone if you hold on and kept finding it will be yours in an unexpected way. Like what I had mentioned above, the secret of Mao can manage to pull you. Up until now, when I hear "Wouldn't it Be Nice" by The Beach Boys I suddenly think of The Girl in the Sunny Place. It is a much watch romantic movie with your loved ones. Also don't forget to bring your pets while watching it! True love can be just around the corner. Ha!