Sung-wook owns a failing karaoke centre where customers can sing in private booths. He hires Ha-suck as a 'helper' (a female singer who accompanies the clients as they perform) but, unable to sing, she resorts to other methods to extract cash from the mainly male clientele. They are soon joined by Tu-ju, another helper; and by a deaf-mute man they find living in a hidden room.
I have seen few Korean films but those that I have all feature violence against women - and there is plenty of that here, too. But the male characters also have their Secret Heartaches and everyone gets their shot at emoting for the camera (with special mention for Kim Na-mi as force-of-nature Tu-ju). That those dramatic scenes are not especially jarring in a film that for most of its running time plays things for laughs is a testament to director Sang-chan Kim and the writing team. I'd happily watch this one again.
I have seen few Korean films but those that I have all feature violence against women - and there is plenty of that here, too. But the male characters also have their Secret Heartaches and everyone gets their shot at emoting for the camera (with special mention for Kim Na-mi as force-of-nature Tu-ju). That those dramatic scenes are not especially jarring in a film that for most of its running time plays things for laughs is a testament to director Sang-chan Kim and the writing team. I'd happily watch this one again.
