Movie Review: 'My Dear Enemy'

Korean rom-com fails to rise above mediocrity despite original premise

By Joe Nguyen, AsiaXpress.com

Nov. 13, 2009

 

My Dear Enemy (South Korea, 2009) Not Rated Dir. Yoon-ki Lee Cast: Do-yeon Jeon, Jung-woo Ha Time: 123 min. Language: Korean with English subtitles "My Dear Enemy" plays at the 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 and 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 [tickets]

What's $3,500 between former lovers?

 

Apparently, a lot.

 

In "My Dear Enemy," Director Yoon-ki Lee tells he tale of a woman collecting a year-old debt from her ex-boyfriend, which subsequently leads them into a daylong journey to recover her money. While it is fairly entertaining and features a solid performance from its lead actor, the film doesn't differentiate itself from the typical sappy Korean rom-com.

 

The film follows Hee-soo, played by Do-yeon Jeon, who goes out in search of her ex Byoung-woon (Jung-woo Ha) for the $3,500 he owes her. Not having the money, he takes her on a daylong journey to procure the funds, all the while trying to win back her affections.

 

The strength of the film resides in Ha, who steals the show as the laid-back and seemingly carefree Byoung-woon. While the character comes off as a leech early on, Ha’s natural charisma instills a likeability factor to Byoung-woon. Jeon plays it straight, complementing Ha’s playfulness.

 

Although the movie features some amusing scenes – particularly the banter between Byoung-woon and Hee-soo – the comedic effect resides more in the movie’s premise rather than its writing. At its heart, “My Dear Enemy” is a typical Korean romance filled with sappiness and bits of cuteness – something that

 

And while “My Dear Enemy” is mildly entertaining, its lack of originality is what lumps it back into the mix of other Korean romances. The story is unique, but the progression of emotions portrayed on screen is formulaic. It is watchable, it is cute but in the end, it is forgettable.