Almost Love
Cast:
Kwon Sang Woo – Lee Ji Wan
Kim Ha Neul – Jin Dal Rae
Summary:
Kwon Sang Woo and Kim Ha Neul, the popular stars of 2003's hit film My Tutor Friend reunite for writer/director Lee Han's 2005 romantic comedy, Almost Love! The two actors play Ji Hwan and Dal Rae, a pair of friends who grew up together in the same neighborhood and have been platonic pals ever since childhood. While Taekwondo student turned stuntman, Ji Hwan (Kwon Sang Woo) wishes to follow in the footsteps of his hero, action movie icon Jackie Chan, drama student Dal Rae (Kim Ha Neul) would like nothing more than to become an actress, although her eternal shyness during the audition process continually prevents her from landing any plum acting roles.
Although the two of them bicker incessantly, there's a mischievous, altogether playful quality to their arguments, and as the film develops, it becomes clear that they are great friends with a deep affection for one another. However, their friendship takes a turn for the worse when they each begin dating other people: Dal Rae starts seeing a handsome, athletic young man who happens to be a fellow member of Ji Hwan's Taekwondo group, while Ji Hwan himself begins going out with a gorgeous young woman with a figure to die for. It would seem that there shouldn't be any issue between these two about dating other people, but as soon as they embark on these new relationships, things start to get weird for these once good friends! It seems that everybody knows their relationship is so much more than friendship, except Ji Hwan and Dal Rae themselves! Will they figure out their own feelings in time, before it's too late
Credits: selaplana.com
What I Think:
People have been recommending this movie for months now, the reviews on showbiz extra in Arirangtv were good too so might as well give this movie a shot. I am actually looking forward to watching this movie with Kwon Sang Woo and Kim Ha Neul in their second outing together.
The storyline is good, and the actors are great.
Kwon Sang Woo, Dal Rae described him as a kid stuck in a man's body… at first I thought he was really a special child like the one in the movie "Marathon." I noticed when it comes to movies I have never seen Kwon Sang Woo do a dramatic role, his movies always has martial arts, fighting and kungfu in it like My Tutor Friend, Once Upon a Time in High School (my fave ksw movie) and this one. I bet Kwon Sang Woo is a big Kung fu fan. I hate his hair here; they could have let him be a big Jackie Chan fan without that horendo hair. It does not suit him. His body is awesome quite believable for someone who idolizes Jackie Chan much. His acting too is brilliant like when he realized he lost a leg, his acting was good.
Kim Ha Neul, after watching her in "Stained Glass" I have seen Kim Ha Neul in a new light. Before when I look at her, she looks old but in this movie her hair was short and she looks years younger here. When it comes to clothes, Kim Ha Neul never shows too much skin, her fashion style is more on the sweaters and the preppy side. Acting-wise, I can't seem to describe her. She looks like she's in a daze sometimes but in her depth she can convey stuff thru her acting. She and KSW seem to have a great chemistry.
Young Hoon is a cutie! Another actor added to my OG Other Guy List! He has a gorgeous bod too and quite tall, heck he is taller than KSW!
Some nice scenes to look out for:
@ Young Hoon trying to walk beside Dal Rae and he held her hand, she pulled her hand back saying people might see and he said " It took me 3 months to hold your hand." And he held her hand again. That was so sweet!!
@ Young Hoon (Dal Rae's boyfriend) gives her a piggy back ride home after she got too drunk
@ Ji Won losing a leg
@ Young Hoon telling Dal Rae *he gives her Ji Won's finished screen play* " That was the longest love letter that I have read…" and he turned around, walked away and cried. It was then he realized tht he had to let Dal Rae go. I love him for doing that. Young Hoon is definitely cute too!
Rating: 7 Korean Kimchis out of 10
