What lengths can you go through for someone you love? Can you wait for someone for so long even without the assurance of ever coming back?
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| Image via Naver Movie. |
A 2006 movie directed by Kang Ji-eun, Love Phobia is a bittersweet romance that revolves around a girl named Lee Ari who claims that she is "cursed", telling stories about people experiencing bad things upon touching her, saying things that are fairy tale like and that sometimes doesn't make sense. It also revolves around Cha Jo-kang, a gullible man who didn't mind if Ari was telling the truth or not, because he believed in her anyway. A man foolish enough to wait for her for about half his lifetime, because he loved her anyway.
Just like any other korean melodrama out there, Love Phobia follows the tried and tested path of detailing the romance between a man and a girl who is about to die. Cliche, I know. Yet despite being cliche, what sets it apart (for me) among other melodramas out there is it being beautiful in its simplicity. It isn't as cute or dramatic as other movies are, but still pretty much delivers.
I also love how clever it was in its use of aliens and myths as a means for Ari to run away from that harsh reality of having AIDS. Life is not always rainbows and butterflies, and at these lowest points in time, there's got to be something to hold on to in order to move on with life — a point which the movie was able to lay out pretty well. But I've got to say that somehow, I didn't like how the movie went literally mystic at the very end. I get that narratively speaking it was a pretty clever trick that goes well to the theme of running away from reality, in that Jo-kang would rather think that Ari was actually fetched by aliens than cope with the fact that she died, because that way, he'd be able to move on easier with his life. It was clever, really, but seeing it visually for the first take is sort of disturbing and somehow upsets the tone of the movie as a whole.
I also love how clever it was in its use of aliens and myths as a means for Ari to run away from that harsh reality of having AIDS. Life is not always rainbows and butterflies, and at these lowest points in time, there's got to be something to hold on to in order to move on with life — a point which the movie was able to lay out pretty well. But I've got to say that somehow, I didn't like how the movie went literally mystic at the very end. I get that narratively speaking it was a pretty clever trick that goes well to the theme of running away from reality, in that Jo-kang would rather think that Ari was actually fetched by aliens than cope with the fact that she died, because that way, he'd be able to move on easier with his life. It was clever, really, but seeing it visually for the first take is sort of disturbing and somehow upsets the tone of the movie as a whole.
That aside, everything else was a pretty good watch. Jo Seung Woo was stellar as always, and I love how he played Jo-kang with such subtlety and heart that radiates through the screen. And his handsome smile? That was a stealer. Kang Hye-jung was a good actress too, though I wasn't able to invest in her character so well as I was pretty much distracted into thinking which Filipina actress does she resemble most. I came up with Jennylyn Mercado combined with Donna Cruz, but heck, I'm still not sure. Anyway, I also loved that kid actress playing little Ari, 'cause aside from being very cute, she was just so full of life... which is ironic, since she's supposed to be sick. Heh.
All in all, Love Phobia is a complete roller coaster ride that will make you laugh, cringe, cry, and believe in love so poignant and pure. Worth one afternoon rest day break.
Jo-Kang: "Love is remembrance... Sometimes, I open up my chest of memories, hoping to keep them locked in my heart forever."
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