Customer Reviews

My Sassy Girl (2001)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I do not like romantic teen comedies; I occasionally see one only when I'm with a date. I think teen romantic comedies are so full of clichés and stereotypical characters, the premise of most I've seen is so predictable and need I say it? DULL. However, almost three years ago, I came across "My SASSY GIRL" which came highly recommended by a friend. Directed by Kwak Jae-Young, it is loosely based on real-life experiences of Kim Ho-Sik, which he posted as an internet serial called "YupKi Girl". Did I like "My Sassy Girl"? Yes, in fact, I loved it. (This is my first shot reviewing a "chick flick" so don't laugh)

Synopsis based on dvd back cover:
One night, Gyun-woo (Pop Star Chae Tae-Yeon), a young student comes across a terribly drunken girl (Jeon Ji-Hyeon). He feels very awkward to help her but when he does, a deep sense of responsibility has been developed within him; he decides to heal her pain. Even though she slaps him, pushed him into a pool, forces him to wear her high heels, he tolerates everything. Will she stay with him after the pain is healed?

Now, why do I find this South Korean romantic comedy so remarkable? The film is very enjoyable and quite unpredictable. It is well developed as a love story with well-rounded characters that you can really care about. It doesn't take the easy road to humor such as the typical jokes of sexual nature inherent in other teen comedies. Also, the perfectly timed humor adds a lot of zest in the proceedings and plus there is the beautiful and unforgettable Korean female lead; Korean Bombshell Jeon Ji-Hyeon.

The film revolves around two main characters, sure, there are supporting ones such as aunts, parents, rogue soldier and schoolmates. The film really makes an effort for the viewers to become well acquainted with Gyun-woo and the unnamed girl. While the film's premise is very simple, there are a lot of subtle details present that really kept me interested. The first half contains most of the funny moments and it successfully forms an attachment to its viewers. The humor doesn't require an understanding of Korean culture and is very easy to pick up. The second half has the melodramatic moments (This is a Korean film) and the film TRULY succeeds in its emotional impact because the drama works and blends well with the rest of the film and its characters.

The Girl (Jeon Ji-Hyeon) is one of the most bizarre characters I've come across; sometimes she is cute and lovable but she can have that humorous creepy feel. She is crazy! How can a gorgeous girl be so lovable and likeable at the same time violent and disturbed? Jeon Ji-Hyeon won acting awards for her portrayal of the unnamed girl. After "IlMare" (U.S. remake; The Lake House), My Sassy Girl catapulted her to superstardom. Chae Te-Yeon is a pop star but does a tremendous performance bringing Gyun-woo's character to life. I really liked his funny facial expressions!! He really gave life to his character as a victim-boyfriend, every humiliatingly awkward moment is a funny one that at the same time I almost pitied his plight but at the same time enjoyed it. Their warm chemistry is so effective that you can't help but connect with them.

The film is also visually pleasant to the eyes. Some of the backdrop may seem a bit cartoonish and quite colorful but I think it doesn't hurt the proceedings. The camera positioning is also perfect, it adds that extra touch to make the funny moments even more humorous and memorable. I don't want to point out the highlights because it may spoil the film's developments.

There you go. I reviewed my first-ever-romantic comedy and survived. To be honest, I was drawn to this film because of Jeon Ji-Hyeon. Little did I know that watching "My Sassy Girl" (again) would turn out to be one of the most fun I've had watching a dvd in awhile. (It's a good break from all the dark films I've seen of late) People who are looking for crude humor will be disappointed. The film's excellent pacing and the truly effective twist in the last act makes this Korean comedy one of the best "feel good" flicks and has become an essential part of my DVD collection. If you like "sweet" and clever romance; this film is a can't miss!
I still dislike teen romantic comedies, "My Sassy Girl" is the exception to the rule. (This film came before "Windstruck" but made such an impact with the Korean audience that the last scene in "Windstruck" gave a hint of a relation to this film in the last scene although it has no relation to it)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [4 ½ stars]

RECENT NEWS: The U.S. will be remaking "My Sassy Girl" for the American audience with the working title: "Date me if you Dare". Jeon Ji-Hyeon will be starring in the live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime: "Blood the Last Vampire".

A couple of years ago, I read a review of this film and wanted to buy it. However, it was not available at that time as a Region 1 DVD. I later learned that Hollywood bought the rights to the film and it would no longer be distributed in the U.S. Well, this fall I saw that it was available on Amazon.com and I immediately jumped at the chance to purchase it. Even at about $[...] (to get an original manufacturer version and not a reproduction), it was worth both the price and the wait!

I own almost 300 DVDs and 87 of them are foreign language films. "My Sassy Girl" ranks up there among the classics and it is the best romantic comedy that I've ever seen. My wife (who is luke-warm on many foreign films) absolutely loved it as well. I find it hard to believe that the Hollywood version coming out in 2007 will be able to hold a candle to the Korean language version (2001).

This film is an absolutely wonderful story (which explains why Hollywood bought the rights to it). It hits on all cylinders -- the movie moves along at a nice pace, it is genuinely funny, and you grow to really like the characters by the end. I can't recommend this one enough, as it ranks in my top ten favorite movies of all time. It's worth many repeat viewings, which not many movies can claim. Pick up the Korean language version while you still can!!

Sassy Girl is different, it has a bit of humor but there is a deeper sense of heart that one feels while watching this film. The acting is pretty good. I dont know if I liked the actor or actress more. I loved the twist, semi-twist, towards the end. I enjoyed this movie and I think Korean cinema has a lot to offer to the world. This was my second Korean film, first being the flabbergasting Oldboy. Watch this.

Great Korean comedy/romance drama! A bit long, but worth every eye wash and minute!

This movie is really good. It's different than many contemporary Korean films in that it doesn't intend to copy the glamorous Hollywood-style (Tae Guk Ki) nor does it attempt to be too weird and avant(e) guarde (Old Boy). It's a very honest film, and you can feel it in the writing and acting and directing. It kind of pulls you in really subtly; someone hands you a copy and after it lies collecting dust for months, on a rainy day, you pull it out at midnight just to give it a chance, and two hours later, you're absolutely and inexplicably riveted. at least, that's how it was for me (obviously). Watch it. Really.

I got into Bollywood movies recently and have been watching some amazing Bolly movies. My nephew and I got watching a Bolly movie called "Jab we met". Since I liked that movie so much, he recommended this korean movie titled "My Sassy Girl" which has a similar theme and tone he said. I had never seen a Korean movie before and this was my first and I am glad I got to see it.

I don't want to get into the story here since others have already done that. It's a romantic comedy and very well done. The two protagonists were just awesome. The heroine was absolutely gorgeous and her portrayal of the sassy girl was just delightful. A good movie for me should delight from the start to finish and not bore you to death the whole way and then give you a good twist ending of sorts. This movie delighted me from the first moment to the end. I enjoyed the journey all the say to the ending.

Folks who are familiar with Korean movies, please comment here with other good Korean titles. I would like to watch more good Korean films. Thanks in advance.

"Sassy girl" is a must see/own movie. 5 Stars all the way.

side note. I was pleasantly surprised to learn "Appa" in korean means father. "Appa" in Tamil, an Indian language (my mother tongue) also means father and it's used the same way to address ones dad. :)

PS: I just added "My Sassy Girl" to my Listmania.

Greatest love stories ever told on film:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R2KA5HYKSJ862R/ref=cm_pdp_lm_title_1

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The Korean title "Yeopgijeogin geunyeo" can be translated into "That Bizarre Girl". And that should have been the English title cuz that's the main attraction. Like the old screwball comedies, its about the misadventures of a hapless guy who gets caught up with a tough, willful girl. At times he wants to avoid this badly behaving girl with a mysterious past, however pretty she is. That's sensible. She doesn't seem to like him. She constantly threatens him with "wanna die?" And she punches him at will.

While some facets of the story aren't as polished as the rest, it's largely unpredictable with skilled direction and hugely appealing actors (Jun Ji-hyun as the girl and Cha Tae-hyun as the guy). Not surprisingly, this made Ji-hyun a star in Korea.

Dispite its imperfections, I'm gonna give it 5 stars anyway cuz the whole experience of the film haunts me still. And in a pleasant way.

I'm a latecomer to Korean films. But that means to me that there are a number of precious gems like this one out there waiting for me to discover them.

This was one of the most popular movies in Korea. The two actors (Cha Tae-hyun and Jeon Ji-hyun) are also very famous movie stars. When the movie premiered, most of the Koreans who enjoy watching movies started to watch this movie just because they saw the two actors' names without hesitating. The actors fit for their parts so well. To tell the truth, Jeon Ji-hyun is a good actress for a tough and energetic girl's part, and Cha Tae-hyun is a good actor for a weak but funny boy's part. This movie exhibits a good blend of the characteristics of the actors. The two actors play their parts very very well in this movie. Mostly, this movie is funny. Also you can see Korean's culture through watching this movie. A lot of fun to watch this movie. I've already watched this movie more than seven times.

A girl, so drunk that she can't stand, is almost hit by a train. Gyun-woo saves her and ends up having to take care of her. That night, then the next night, then the next. Sounds like fun? Heck no. She cusses at him, slaps him, forces him to wear high heels. High school uniforms, cross dressing, lots of drinking, and almost drowning just adds spice to the movie, a weird, surprisingly funny movie. A movie in which I had to pause it just to laugh every once and a while.

it wouldn't be so much of an understatement to say My Sassy Girl probably after Shiri, opened the very new age of Korean film renaissance, with very much lighter and romantic comedy content which was quite a departure from a regular serious ideology and war theme prevalent in the early korean hit movies. pushed aside concerns that the film wouldn't be successful, the film generated a healthy box office profit and became probably one of the most popular hits not only in Korea but throughout China, Malaysia, and Japan.

one night in a very late subway ride, Kyun-Woo, a handsome but submissive guy, ran across a heavily drunken girl, Jik-Nyu who throws up over the top of a wig of old man. people mistaking him to be her boy friend, he becomes a unwilling protector of her taking her to a nearby motel, but he's mistaken again as a sex predator and got arrested. this is their first meeting from which their relationship becomes somewhat whacky, crazy, mad but very romantic adventure. the girl literally abuse(but in funny way. the film use a lot of motives and parodies from korean literature, music, other famous movies). he has to endure walking in her high heel simply because she wants him to, and she asks him to be buried alive when she dies :) so much energy, light, sassines and fun in her, it's found out that she's more sad and dark story in her life than anybody could think and the man doesn't realize he's heading into a tearful and beautifuly sad ending(but there will be sweet twist at the end)

in a large part, the way she was treating him for probably one hour, was a vicarious experience for many of asian girls and women under this region's strict conservative life style imposed on them still. through her, these women probably felt related. the actress became a household name in the countries of japan, hongkong, china and malaysia.

the movie is currently being produced in english version at hollywood.