Yongsoon

This movie is very good in my opinion. I'm surprised so little is known and written about it.

It tells its story simply and realistically, of a young girl who seems destined by her birth to have to try hard to hold on to what she thinks is hers in her life. The director balances and paces the story excellently, achieving a light tragic-comic tone without slipping into farce or melodrama.

Lee Soo-kyung gives a credible and commendable performance as Yongsoon. She conveys the character's suppression of her hurt and pain with anger and determination using just the right amount of expression, never artificially forcing it or going over the top. It is likely also due to director Shin Joon's handling and guidance.

I would also like to commend director Shin Joon's good judgment in not piling more on any scenes for bigger effects, even though he had plenty of chances to. What results is an honest, unpretentious and touching tale of a young person's very strong need to overcome what she perceives as unfairly dealt to her in life.

I would love to see more of writer/director Shin Joon's works. But given how little received this film is, I'm sadly not optimistic on it.