User Reviews

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

...taken from a reaction paper I wrote for Social Science Class..

My Sassy Girl is a 2001 film by Korean director Kwak Jae Yong, formerly known for the straight melodramas he directed. It was based on the novel with the same title, compiled from the journals posted on the Internet by Kim Ho Seok about his relationship with a girl. The film catapulted its lead actress Jeon Ji Hyun and its lead actor Cha Tae Hyun into superstardom. It spawned viewers' interest in romantic comedies, although it was never recognized in the west.

My Sassy Girl starts out with Gyeon-Woo, a naïve but eccentric 25 year-old college student who doesn't have a clear direction in life. He narrates how his parents raised him like a girl, and how his parents' constantly telling him he was smart caused him to become lazy. His life then becomes intertwined with that of a bizarre girl whom he meets at the subway. She was drunk and wasted when he first saw her, and before passing out at the subway she calls him 'honey'. He was then forced to take responsibility for her, and that night he carried the wasted girl on her back all the way to a nearby motel. Hilarity ensues in the following scenes, as Gyeon-Woo and the girl share funny moments together, such as hitting each other on the subway, playing squash (the ball always hitting Gyeon-Woo squarely in the face), dancing in the disco with their high school uniforms on, and exchanging shoes (the girl wears sneakers while Gyeon-Woo wears heels).

The early parts of the film showcase the girl's bizarre attitude. The girl can be seen arguing with strangers, writing synopses of action movies, passing out after drinking three glasses of beer, and hitting Gyeon-Woo all the time, telling him 'wanna die?' and using him to get her way. Gyeon-Woo, on the other hand, succumbs to all the girl's whims and does everything for her. The first half of the film is filled with pure physical comedy and witty, hilarious sequences.

What sets this movie apart from others is how the second half of the film, which consists of pure melodrama, is connected to the first half. The second half explains the girl's bizarre attitude and unfolds all the drama behind the girl's comedic behavior in the first half. Gyeon-Woo battles a conflict with himself and finds it hard to let the girl go after 'healing her sorrow'. The latter scenes in the film are so dramatic that it 'turns grown men into crybabies' (quoted from the International Movie Database). Jeon Ji-Hyun's acting versatility added to the second half's strong impact on the viewers. A very ingeniously written script turns the laughing audience into a crying one in a short span of time.

However sad the second half of the film may be, the 'overtime' part of the film wonderfully concludes all the comedy and drama that unfolded in the preceding two parts. Gyeon-woo and the girl go along with the sad fate that befell them, continuing their own lives. The ending (which I will not reveal, for I recommend that people watch it) could be considered as one of the greatest ones in the history of film-making. It left no questions unanswered, and it concluded all the subtle hints that the earlier parts gave. It left me, and other members of the audience, laughing in tears.

The uncut version of the film lasts 137 minutes (2 hours and 17 minutes), quite long for a romantic comedy. But it was so craftily and carefully written that one would not notice time ticking by. Every scene in the film gives the viewers something to laugh, cry, or think about. There was no dead air in the story.

The cinematography of the film was excellent, for it captured every scene perfectly, also showcasing the beautiful environment of Korea along the way. The soundtrack very much added to the emotion of the film's most significant sequences. George Winston's rendition of 'Pachelbel's Canon in D' invokes a very romantic and joyous feeling that is indeed felt in the scene where Gyeon-Woo gives the girl a rose during her class (at an all-girls school) while she was playing the piano. Shin Seung Hoon's 'I Believe', the movie's main theme, served its function well as the tear-inducer in the most dramatic parts of the film. After watching the movie, only hearing the song brings me to the edge of tears as I remember the saddest parts of the film.

Jeon Ji-Hyun's acting in the film was very superior. She does very well in portraying the unnamed girl (yes, the girl's name was never mentioned) in the movie. Her very strong charm and acting versatility (she laughs, threatens Gyeon-Woo, and cries in one scene) makes the film very appealing, even to grown men who grew up watching action movies. Her performance in this film shoved her into the limelight and made girls want to be like her and made boys want to be with her.

Cha Tae Hyun did justice to the role of Gyeon-Woo. Just looking at him makes you laugh, and his being punched, slapped and manipulated by the girl is one of the big factors in the film's success as a comedy. His performance in the film made him one of Korea's 'most wanted dates', according to a survey on Korean girls.

Some of the very notable characteristics that I found in the film were: 1.) It had no kissing scenes; 2.) The girl's name was never mentioned, although she played the biggest part in the film, and 3.) There were no 'I love you' lines in the entirety of the film.

After watching the uncut version of the film, I saw tears in the eyes of most people in the audience. I could most probably say the movie has been successful in moving its viewers.

Jeon Ji Hyun won the 2002 Grand Bell Best Actress Award for her performance in this film. Cha Tae Hyun won Best New Actor at the 2002 Korean Oscars for his performance in this film. My Sassy Girl was number one at the box office for six straight weeks in Korea and sold over 20,000 tickets per day in Hong Kong at the time of its release in 2001. It was the second highest grosser of that year (accumulating more box office loot than SHREK, HARRY POTTER or LORD OF THE RINGS). It was the Best Asian Film at the 22nd Annual Hong Kong Film Awards. Just this year, Dreamworks (an American film company) has been planning for a Hollywood remake of this film. How great could this film get? My Sassy Girl is a film close to my heart. It is not only a lighthearted comedy that delves into the culture and behavior of Asian teenagers. This movie shows that there are so many different ways of expressing your love without saying 'I love you'. It is a movie that proves 'fate is building a bridge of chance for the one you love'.

The attention to detail, the depth and width of the plot is amazing. The movie is so good that it provide good entertainment to many audience.

I cannot grasp all of it till I saw it the second time. There are several plots in the movie. I am learning more about the movie when I am writing this.

It's NOT only a love story of how 2 people with contrasting personality fall in love; it may give that impression to some people. It's NOT a normal dumb boy chase beautiful girl flick.

STOP READING and see the movie again if you really think this movie is just a romantic flick with funny jokes. You will enjoy it more.

SUPER SPOILER ---------------------

The Character: The girl always think she is special (she say that explicitly when she is crying at the hillside), and which beautiful girl doesn't? Or at least everyone else wish to? She is very self-centered, proud, witty (remember how quick she get Gyun-Woo out of class?), talented (kendo, piano, squash, dance), not afraid of how people look at her, live in a quite well off family etc.

The director has to stress that Gyun-Woo is smart (from their parents) because viewer may not really notice that if they don't really observe. He is a sensitive person, probably due to his girlish upbringing.

Gyun-Woo is quite layback, and yet to determine what he desire or want in life in the beginning. And that's one of the reason the girl said, 'I have met the boy from the future' at the ending. For the first 3 years they meet, they are not really ready for each other, due her ex-boyfriend (exbf) and personality. They are at the crossroad, so they eventually have to split.

The Story: In the subway, Gyun-Woo gets the girl's attention immediately since he looks like her ex-boyfriend. She may actually intentionally grasp his attention by vomiting etc. Then she announces to the public right away that he is her 'Sweet heart', so he have no option but to take care of her. As a proof of Gyun-Woo getting her attention is that, she scold at the youngster who wears pink. She thinks he is special and no one else should wear the same color for the one she thinks special. This point can verified again in the park which the guy who smokes and wear the same blue-colored sweater. She knows she is beautiful and clothing matter a lot for her or those she cares.

It is quite deceiving that most viewer will initially think that only Gyun-Woo is attracted by the girl and a normal boy chase girl story starts. But it's not. They both are attracted to each other at their first sight.

To call Gyun-Woo 'sweet heart' may come from her subconscious. It is so important to her to understand herself that she need to confirm with Gyun-Woo that she indeed think Gyun-Woo has so much resemblance with her exbf. So she phoned Gyun-Woo to come out for the 1st time. (Phone number probably obtained during their stay at the police station)

After Gyun-Woo left the girl on a bench, he forget the girl's handbag and he have to return it a few steps later. Later, he forget her handbag again in the rain. This time leads him to visit the girl's home for the first time. We can see that every detail is well layout, intentional in this movie.

First time I see the movie, I was distracted by my laughing, but now I know the reason why police rush up to the motel. The phone call is made by the girl's parent. That's one of the reasons why her parents' are not approved of him. And they know it's all lie when he try explaining why the motel's lighter is in his pocket.

(Is there any meaning for the kids to all suddenly gone when they are in the coffees shop? And why does the coffee come so late?) (Why does the girl slap Gyun-Woo so often? Is there any meaning behind?)

The Girl always tries to be different. She doesn't like people dress alike; she doesn't like those people ordering the same golbangee (beef stew) in the restaurant.

Why are they using the same motel room the second night? On the first night the innkeeper says there no room left from 1st to 3rd floor, so on the second night the same thing happened coincidentally; all other rooms are occupied.

Do your recognize in her first script Gyun-Woo asks why don't they kiss at the end? He is actually talking about why they do not kiss in this movie. Then the girl (director) says that this script (movie) is not a melodrama. (Then, how come this movie is a action movie?)

Also, the first script prophesize the girl saving Gyun-Woo in the playground later.

For the second script, I will talk about that later.

The reason why she pushes Gyun-Woo into the water is she wants Gyun-Woo in the water too. She wants Gyun-Woo in some way connected to her exbf too. Her exbf drowned, implied when the girl staring at a pier with the ex-bf's mother later. Assuming that she don't know whether Gyun-Woo can swim or not, the girl is confident that she can rescue him OR she hope this boy will not just leave her, by a simple drowning accident. The story did not tell how her ex-bf drowned, whether the girl is present or not. But if the girl was at the scene at the accident, that means she have learnt lifegaurding after he died (which I biasedly assume). Nevertheless, the girl found peace of mind/satisfaction that she knows if she is together with any boy, the boy will not be drowned. She wants to try and confirm that with this boy.

In the playground's 'Ghost House', the girl say the pain one suffered from being dumped will be gone quicker than one can imagine. But it looks like it is contrary to her own behavior. So, why she said that? Actually the girl is not just grieving for the death of her exbf at this stage. She is also guilty, angry with herself on not loving her ex-bf as much any more. Or at least, she is struggling with try keep loving him or kicks him out of her mind/present life. Rationally, she knows this is the thing to do, to face it, to leave away from the ghost of his exbf. However, she is not as 'special' as she would like, that she still long for him, since she is attracted to Gyun-Woo the first time they met.

The soldier claimed the guardhouse sergeant looks like Gyun-Woo. Who else look like Gyun-Woo? He should be the ex-bf. The director maybe even hinting that he is not that good to the Girl, although the girl never know this. Well, I may be stretching that a bit here, but considered so many detail in this movie have an explanation, I won't be surprised if this is what the director meant.

When the girl is saving Gyun-Woo under gunpoint, she cried. She is actually talking to herself this time. She think that her dead ex-bf want her to live well. She says if she needs to learn what love is, she need to live well. To live well, love is essential, but this is what a dead man cannot give her. This is her struggle.

At the end of the playground scene Gyun-Woo say what had happened is as if what he have planned. He intends to understand the girl better at her birthday. At this stage all he know is the girl is devastated from a breakup, but not much else. Under such a stressful circumstances, the answer she give on how she view about her pain, view of good life/love must be authentic. It's something hard to achieve by a normal date on this girl. Although the means is not what he expected, the ends is. And the last slap on his face is always good. It means she cares.

Part 2 *****

Gyun-Woo noticed somehow notice the girl in the restaurant. Then Gyun-Woo goes back alone and asks around about this picture because Gyun-Woo will not ask that when the girl is around. Gyun-Woo want to understand her pain, try solving it. The girl bring Gyun-Woo there a lot. By now, Gyun-Woo is really a replacement for his exbf, and he knows. He tries to be nice and smile. And Gyun-Woo said that she pretends to be happy every time (in this restaurant), because he knows she has lots of memory/history with her exbf in this restaurant. And she comes back with him often.

Not too sure why the bad guy in the 3rd script is called Gyun-Woo, and why she have to kill him? If the director really meant the bad guy = her exbf (because they are look-alike and the director don't want to give a name to her exbf), it means the girl try forget him. And interestingly the girl comes from future, so the director may think she can only forget him some time in future?

After the script, she says 'Someday, I'll meet someone from the future'. Actually, it means 'Today, she meet someone (important to her= Gyun-Woo) that will be suitable for her in the future'. Then Gyun-Woo says, 'if you do, ask him to take you; if it's possible!' Gyun-Woo is urging her to let himself to take her! Gyun-Woo looks very serious at this moment. This is not a joke of 'You, sassy girl, let someone come from a UFO/future kidnap you!'

After the 3rd script, they always ride subway together, play squash, phone each other every night, and wait for Gyun-Woo at school etc. The girl really starts to love him, ever since Gyun-Woo chase her on high heel. The longer he runs, the longer she loves him. She remains jubilant that night. Even in the rain, she is even nice enough to him, to run back home for an umbrella. Each day, she likes Gyun-Woo more and more.

Their parent controls her too much. (Party) because she love them too, she refrain herself from seeing Gyun-Woo/have to dealt directly with her parents about this. So, Gyun-Woo doesn't have any news from her for a long time until their 100th day when their parent give her pressure.

In the taxi, Gyun-Woo wonders if she still needs him as her exbf's replacement. He tries to heal her pain, but he thinks the irony is that once the pain is gone, she no longer needs him. He is well aware that the 'action'/'power' is always initiated from her. But just for this moment, it does not matter; he enjoys every moment with her. He ask the taxi driver to let them stay together longer.

Maybe what Gyun-Woo think is correct, she doesn't need him anymore. That's why once her parent again pressured her this time; they don't meet each other for such a long time that Gyun-Woo think they are over. So it's not too surprising for Gyun-Woo to go to a blind date.

The condom and blind date joke is really funny, though gross.

This time, the girl has a blind date. She definitely is not the one who arrange it, her controlling parents do. She call Gyun-Woo for help, Gyun-Woo is her 'friend'. She has to call and give Gyun-Woo a chance here, since this time her blind date is quite nice.

Ah... the 10 rules are very moving. Gyun-Woo must be very sad when he left the restaurant. He gives up on her. He is giving his final blessing to them.

The girl finally realizes that she did not recognize how deep he loves her. He deserve much more than a replacement or 'friend'. Everything she did want Gyun-Woo do for her is simply the way she try to find her exbf in Gyun-Woo. Gyun-Woo is not necessary Gyun-Woo in her mind at those important moments. She thought she just enjoy reliving it. But after the 10 rules, she can no longer deny Gyun-Woo is the one who makes her happy, not the ghosts of her exbf.

Before they try kissing, Gyun-Woo said they are on a crossroad since she had always regarded Gyun-Woo as painkiller. But now she knows that she feel guilty for him and it's time for her to take action, to accept Gyun-Woo as 'another' important person in her life. Gyun-Woo has already done all he can at this stage.

But for the Girl to look at Gyun-Woo is painful. He reminds her of his ex-bf, every time. They look and seem to act alike. She has to completely remove her ex-bf (first love, I believe)'s image before she can really love Gyun-Woo. But she feels guilty to try removing her exbf from her mind, at the same time.

When Gyun-Woo is writing the letter, saying he want to be serious with her. But even though he doesn't know exactly what she's thinking, he is sensitive enough to think this letter is for their split up.

At the mountain, she express that her ex-bf is still very well within her. She hopes she is different, she hope she have the will to overcome, but no, she is still helpless. She cannot avoid thinking of her ex-bf when seeing Gyun-Woo. She is sorry, for that.

They have to split; Gyun-Woo's presence is too disturbing for her to forget. She gives herself 2 years. She goes away for Gyun-Woo. Gyun-Woo tries to grow up and his life in these 2 years just devoted to her; he even tried and succeeds fulfilling her dream. No more blind dates, he is committed.

The way they pile up the stones (and how Gyun-Woo remove it), one-by-one instead of bushing them away is quite a display sensitiveness

Overtime ***** It's quite too late to explain clearly the drowning of her exbf now. It makes lots of audience miss why her grievance is so deep. And may not understand some finer points of the movie.

Now we know why the girl ask about the handkerchief when Gyun-Woo is with the girl was crying at the 2nd restaurant. A handkerchief has a very special meaning for her. This was how her exbf meet her.

She says 'While I was dating you, I met his mother OFTEN, she wanted to introduce a nice men to me, BUT I couldn't' Simply means she is still love her exbf very much at that time. Also, it's quite funny that she thinks her exbf wants to introduce Gyun-Woo to her, when Gyun-Woo is hanging out with her.

She wants to put this letter into a time capsule because it is too cruel so tell Gyun-Woo all this right away. And she does believe she will overcome her mental barrier in 2 year. However she cannot. It takes her 3 years.

What the old man says to her is important; he makes her know that Gyun-Woo is still very much in love with her. Time means nothing to him, just for her (NB. This is what the theme song about)

The girl called Gyun-Woo's phone but the number has been changed. She cried. Wondered if they ever met again, when she is ready for him now, after 3 years. Not too sure if they'd ever meet by chance again. Then she smiled. But why she smiles? Maybe she has just remembered how Gyun-Woo pretended the voice message long time ago? Or have her just lost hope and grin bitterly? The tiny touches let audience imagines, and could as well be the ending at this point.

Can they meet by chance? Very often fate only give you 1 chance. Once you lose it, you lose it. Gyun-Woo must be very upset when he misses her this time in the subway.

Maybe due to coincidence, they finally met each other at her exbf's mom's lunch.

Then she said, 'I think I met a man from the future, from your (Gyun-Woo)'s future.' Do you recall all 1st and 3d script tells a story of girl coming from future helps Gyun-Woo or everyone else? But this time, she meant instead of the girl coming from future, it is the boy coming from future that saves her.

The best part of the movie is that it can be viewed from many angles. Many subplots.. ---------------------------------------

The Platform plot: ------------------ After the 10 rules, Gyun-Woo stands on the verge of subway platform (as seen on the surveillance camera). Is he trying to feel her pain of the breakup that she experienced with her exbf when she stood there? Was she really trying to kill herself at that time? He wants to understand this feeling. Or simply just want to remember how they first met. Then, He must be really happily running when he hear her voice form the broadcast.

At the end of movie, when she stands on the platform edge again, we only saw her feet. But what's really on her mind? Is she expecting Gyun-Woo will pull her back again this time? Now they have lost contact, will coincidence let them meet again? Or is she simply enjoying the thought of how they first meet? Nevertheless the subway come, she has to reluctantly drag her feet back, behind the yellow line.

The edge of the platform is a crossroad of their fate. This is the place she is going to suicide, where they met, where they miss each other, where travel together and getting to like each other etc.

The Science Fiction Plot: ------------------ At the girl's third script, she mentioned explicitly the science fiction Plot of this movie, UFO = time machine. Then she prophesize Gyun-Woo will like to travel back in time, the old-aged Gyun-Woo. She said 'people from the future could be here now'

Why don't they travel together? Did the girl left Gyun-Woo/died before the invention of time machine? Well, this is a story not being told. However, it is hinted that it's quite likely that the girl go back and make fun of him with the toad in the time capsule. How about the head hitting squash? Another naughty joke from future?

In her letter in the time capsule, she feels that Gyun-Woo 'live in the future' and she 'live in the past'

From the look of the old man under the tree, do you think he is expecting her to visit the tree? Don't you think it's quite rude for him to stare at her? Yet the old man's answer is honest enough, because she is beautiful. The old man always says that because he is the old Gyun-Woo. And of course he read the letters.

What is his secret of the tree? Gyun-Woo cannot really replace a tree. But with the help of the old Gyun-Woo, he can. This is a secret because the old Gyun-Woo only wants to share this between him and her! No one else! He say 'Fate is building a bridge of chance for someone you love' because he is help building this bridge for themselves.

When she lookup after reading Gyun-Woo's letter, a UFO passes by; even with sound effect.

The old Gyun-Woo was there inside the train when they met.

At the end, she said 'I think I met a man from the future, from your (Gyun-Woo)'s future'. This is literally what has happened.

The Girl's second script ------------------ For the 2nd time I see this movie, I cannot fully grasp this script. But now I can. Actually the girl is committing suicide when they first met. She know she get drunk easily, it easier to do it that way. She wants to die at the 1st year anniversary of her exbf's death. This is why in her 2nd script the 'unlucky' boy should be buried alive, which simply meant lovers should better die together. Do you think that the girl looks more like a ghost than a drunken woman at the platform? It's quite a drastic look for lead actress in movie that supposed to be a comedy (at least at the beginning). The vomit after that is very good. It makes the audience forget her awful look, or forget to wonder if she is commiting suicide. But isn't that quite crazy for anyone to vomit onto someone. We all know that she is drunk but is still quite aware of her action. But naturally, she doesn't really care since she planned to kill herself anyway! The girl is not as sassy as most people perceived. But she's pretty unruly anyway.

When dating with Gyun-Woo, she always has to struggle with her guilt to her exbf, since her exbf have done nothing wrong to her. He have no choice, he have to leave her. For her, to accept a person that is in many ways resembles her exbf as another individual, is a especially difficult task. Her life can be much easier if she choose that nice guy at her blind date (or any other guy); but she knows Gyun Woo is her right choice however difficult this choice is.

The Theme of the story is: Fate vs. Coincidence ------------------ Tons of coincidence happened here: Gyun-Woo is a look-alike, know the exbf's mother, is that coincidence? How coincidence is that the one girl you pick randomly on the street is the Girl? The birthday of the Girl and the soldier is the same; Blind date at the same night; the handkerchief, which is the first favor of both her ex-bf and Gyun-Woo give, is greenish; they both first met in subway; they have meet all of the 5 twins, without them recognizing....

At the end of movie, Gyun-Woo asked, 'Is that coincidence?' This is the question the director is asking the audience what is fate and what is pure coincidence. Director's view of Fate is it happens only when one build/desire of it. He demonstrate that by putting lots of coincidence in the movie, while let both characters work hard for/build up their good ending, which many people will regard that as fate.

Examples of building chances: The old Gyun-Woo is help building his own fate under the tree by voicing the young Gyun-Woo's effort. And during the 3 years separation they are building a bridge for each other on their own, by making themselves available for each other. If the girl still cannot get out of her exbf's entangle, there is no point of meeting again. And now Gyn-Woo seems to find a direction of his life on writing script.

Lastly, have her exbf also bridge a bridge for the one he loved? Gyun-Woo and the girl met on the 1st year of his death anivesary. And the girl actually thinks her exbf want to introduce Gyun-Woo to her. Maybe a supernatural plot is included here too! ;) Have her exbf arranged their final meeting by his mom etc? Even Gyun-Woo does not considered himself look like his cousin (but the girl, her ex-bf, his mom does)

By the director's definition, it is their fate to be together eventually.

A young college man, Gyun-woo (Chae Tae-Hyun) spends his time hanging out with his friends, chasing girls and avoiding his mom's attempts to set him up. One day he sees a girl (Gianna Jun) over the line while waiting for the train and saves her from tragedy. They board the train and he realizes she is very drunk. She makes a scene on the train insisting that a young guy move and offer his seat to an elderly gentleman. Gyun-woo thinks that he really does not like drunk girls. Things settle a bit and the girl drunkenly sways to the motion of the train while standing near the elderly man. Gyun-woo watches in horror as the girl begins to gag and it is apparent she is going to vomit. She tries to hold back but ultimately vomits all over the elderly man. Just before passing out she gestures Geun-woo's way and calls him honey. No-one believes him despite his repeated denials and he winds up taking responsibility for her. He piggy backs her to the closest place she can sleep it off- a hotel. And that is the start of a rather crazy relationship.

So many people liked this movie that I gave it a shot. I did not think it was that good. They never seemed to really get together even in the end. The way she treated him was often just mean and her physical violence toward him was abusive. I understood a little why she was acting so crazy but her behavior toward him was inexcusable. Not meeting at the agreed time was rude and flakey. NI did like the twist where a relationship was revealed I was not aware of. I did not find it very funny. The ending left a lot up in the air. A mediocre movie.

-Minor Spoilers-

This film is one of the greatest Romance/Comedy movies ever made, and as such, I feel I will have a hard time doing it justice with a few lines written here. The story was first seen online as an internet diary written by Korean student Ho Sik Kim. And is claimed to be based on a relationship with a girl he actually met. Yeah, that's right. It's a (mostly) true story! Then the story was bought by Korean film production company, Shin Cine. Finally, Korean director, Kwak Jae Yong, 'Sketch of a rainy day' was brought on board to direct. The rest, as they say. is history.

The entire movie revolves around two main characters, 'Kyun Woo' (Cha Tae Hyun) and 'The Girl' (Yes, her name is never actually given) played by the wonderful Jeon Ji Hyun. The story begins when Kyun Woo meets the girl on a train platform late at night. See, she's drunk. Very drunk. After making a fool of herself on the train she passes out, but not before calling Kyun Woo "Honey". This leads the other passengers to believe that she is his girlfriend. In turn, our wimpy hero feels obliged to take care of her. So off he goes. Well, at least half way down the platform, before dropping her onto an empty bench. But do you think he has the heart to leave her there? Of course not. That's one of the things that makes this film special. Kyun Woo may be a bit soft. He may be even just a tad pathetic, but his heart is in the right place. All he wants to do is help the girl. But... What does he get in return? Well, He gets a down right scary, weird, psychopath of a girlfriend who takes every opportunity to either A: Hit him B: Humiliate him or C: Get him thrown into Jail. Yes, she's pretty mean. Or is she? Is there more to her than both Kyun Woo, and we the audience, can see? Maybe his wish to help her is not totally unjustified.

One of the greatest achievements of this movie is in it's two leads. Considering nearly the entire movie focuses on just two people. The stars did a very good job of keeping up 'very' good chemistry. These are two wonderful actors who portray all the emotions needed, and at a very high level. Cha Tae Hyun, in his first role manages to keep Kyun Woo on just the right side of Bumbling, Shy and even Pathetic. At no point in the movie does he annoy, and that's a hard task indeed. He's always laughable. Granted, sometimes you laugh with him, mostly we laugh 'At him,' but that never stops you from thinking you'd like to have him as your friend. Jeon Ji Hyun however, is just incredible. She is the best actress of her generation. I don't just mean in Korea. I mean PERIOD. She fills the character of 'the girl' with depth, charm and overall a sense of reality which in a film that occasionally becomes far fetched is an excellent achievement indeed. She is incredibly expressive. Most of the time she doesn't even need to say anything. Her face says all we need to know. Some of her expressions are just priceless, and I can honestly say I have never, ever seen them captured on film before. i'd be 'more' than a little surprised if she doesn't become more of an 'international' star in the next few years

The film features a wide range of genre's. Although It is primarily a Romance/Comedy film, it also has a dash of action courtesy of the girl's 'Scriptwriting' hobby. This leads to all manor of imagined scenarios staring Jeon Ji Hyun. Be it parodies of 'The Matrix' in her 'Demolition Terminator' story, to an 'Ashes Of Time' style period/swordplay movie later on in the film. These scenes, while not exactly furthering the plot are really well done, and a nice little break from the main story.

My favourite aspect of the film is how the director gives little hints and tips as to what is happening in the story without actually telling us. Each and every small detail (Which at first may seem trivial or pointless) will come back to play a major part in the film later on. Apart from being a really neat little way to tell the story, it also makes the film nearly infinitely re-watchable. You can come back to it again and again and you'll always notice something new which enhances the plot. By the time you get to the midpoint of this film you 'will' care for these characters. As it approaches a more touching, less comedic, romance angle you wont lose interest. It's clever, funny, touching and romantic.

The only people who may not like this will be those allergic to romantic films. Even then, I feel you may just be surprised. I cannot recommend this film enough. If you don't watch it. You only have yourself to blame.

Three years ago I was at a friends place, we couldn't figure out what to do so she "forced" me to watch "My sassy girl". From the look of the DVD cover I knew this was something I would not enjoy, the picture projected a film made of teen pop Hollywood garbage.

I reluctantly agreed to watch it for a while but I became interested after about 15 minutes. The first half I thought was pretty good, until I realized there was still a second half to this. The second half seemed to drag on and I was praying for it to end. The overtime made me frustrated because I thought this was becoming less of a movie and more of a TV series (in terms of length). And than it was over and I realized what an amazing film this was.

To keep this short I will tell you that I have directly "forced" about one hundred people to watch this film. The largest group I forced to watch "My sassy girl" occurred during two canceled lectures, students were sitting there bored so I popped this in. The class was made up of different social/racial/gender/whatever cross sections. Everyone watched the first half and they showed up and stayed for the final half the following week, some people even came up to tell me how much they liked it. Only 2 people have given bad responses, one person because he did not finish watching it and the other because she doesn't like watching a film with subtitles.

From the rating for this movie it is clear that there are people who hate this film, but if you belong to the other 85% of the population than you will love it.

Why did I like this movie? It was a "mystery" movie with clues throughout. They made an entire movie with (basically) two characters. There was no pointless tacked on sex, not even a kiss.

Watch the Directors Cut if you can. The movie was actually more enjoyable the second time around. 10/10