Nim-eun-meon-go-sae (2008) User Reviews

nothing groundbreaking- but worth the watch

[aminifatimaaa · 6/10 · 10 February 2019]

Even those who dislike war films would find this film worth staying with until the end. The underdeveloped motives of the characters can seem distancing at first, but skillful dramatization soon sweeps us along. People are rarely one-dimensional, and the characters here travel across a wide range of experiences, attitudes, and behaviour. The Vietnam War proved costly in lives lost and disrupted. In "Sunny" we see that cost at a personal level.

superb - all the elements of a truly great film

[mtnthai · 8/10 · 4 June 2009]

i wish i could write well enough to better express my feelings about this film and the story it tells through the trials and frustrations of its heroine and her cohorts. after having watched countless films from Korea, this one truly breaks the mold and is of a cinematic standard that most films from any country do not attempt to or can not even approach.

if you enjoy watching films that are built on strong character development without senselessly manipulating the viewer's feelings, or overburdening them with trivial aspects that would simply weigh the characters and film down, Nim-eun-meon-go-sae seems to always go where it should. Sunny is a believable girl who is cast adrift amidst unbelievable circumstances and she never falters in her quest regardless of whatever may be placed in her way.

totally engrossing and consuming on all levels i highly recommend it to any one who is a fan of great stories with strong likable characters.

Different and fascinating Vietnam War movie like you have never seen before

[phd_travel · 9/10 · 1 January 2021]

What an unusual Vietnam war movie this is. The perspective is from a wife going to be an entertainer in Vietnam to reunite with her husband. What she hopes to achieve isn't clear but she is determined. It's a realistic and fascinating journey as she joins a rag tag band and makes her way from Korea to Saigon to the battle front. The war scenes come later on and are worth the wait. The Vietnam war aspects are the best part of this movie. The battles scenes are intense and quite different from other Vietnam War movies. The attack during the concert is quite something. Then the tunnels are something not often shown and it is a fascinating few minutes. The perspective is uniquely Korean and portrays the US soldiers doing some bad things. The filming in Thailand feels authentic and on location. The sleaze of the Saigon bar scene is vividly captured.

Good acting throughout. Soo Ae does a good job and it's touching to see her hesitancy and vulnerability transform to a confident performer by necessity. Her musical numbers are watchable. Jeong Jin-yeong is good as the scumbag band leader.

Something feels cut short about the ending. What happens to them after that? Their relationship wasn't great anyway. But it does show the dutiful nature of the Korean daughter in law and wife.

Different and fascinating