Na-neun Heang-bok-hab-ni-da (2008) User Reviews

Hyun Bin delivers

[crosswithyou · 7/10 · 28 June 2020]

You have to know what you're getting into before starting this film. Throw out any notions that this is going to be a "happy" movie or else you will be sorely disappointed. No romance or comedy here! This is a slow burner but worth a watch for Hyun Bin's excellent performance.

If you're seeking out this movie in 2020, you're probably curious about Hyun Bin's other works after having watched Crash Landing On You or Memories of the Alhambra on Netflix. HB's filmography includes many lead roles where he plays the handsome rich guy but his role as Man-soo in I am Happy is anything but.

In this film, you get a scraggly HB who suddenly develops megalomania after having to constantly deal with his mother who has dementia and his abusive older brother addicted to gambling. It is unlike any other role HB has done and it allows him to really shine as an actor. Man-soo is not an easy character to play but HB delivers a stellar performance that, if you have a heart, will surely evoke feelings of empathy and pity.

The way the film is shot can be a little confusing with scenes jumping between the past and present. There is no real action and the movie is pretty dark, but if you have the patience, you will be treated to a great performance by a great actor. To think that this movie is only three years after Hyun Bin's breakout role in My Lovely Sam Soon is telling of his skill.

What a disheartening movie. This movie title really throws you off.

[ironhorse_iv · 6/10 · 21 December 2015]

Not to be confused with another late 2000's South Korean with the same name, 2008's I am Happy. 2009's I am Happy didn't make me happy. I wasn't really glad with how the South Korean film turn out. Loosely inspired by author Lee Cheong-Jonn's short novel 'Mr. Cho, Man-deuk'; which tells the story of two people living life at a Korean psychiatric ward. This movie directed & written by Yoon Jong-Chan slightly change the novel's story plot to something else; which in return, cause this film to end up, more like a mess than a masterpiece. The movie tells the story of two people; Cho Man-su (Hyun-Bin) a patient suffering from a mental illness & his nurse, Soo-kyung (Lee Bo-young). Both are painfully going through some issues, due to the fact, that other people dependent on them. In Cho Man-Su's case, he was deeply mistreat by his mother suffering from dementia and his brother addicted to gambling to the point, that he turned crazy. For Soo-Kyung, the stress of her work, added to the pressure of taking care of her serious ill, father is causing her to go into a deep depression. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I really didn't like how this movie was market in the United States, as romantic comedy when it clearly not. There is barely any sign of romance in the film at all, between the two main characters. I don't think the main guy even develops a crush on the girl at all. The same with the woman. I never saw the relationship being more than Nurse-Patient relationship. So, it was odd to see it, market as more than that. If you're looking for Hyun Bin to be the handsome leading man in a romantic comedy like his 2005's TV show 'My Lovely Sam-Soon' or 2010's 'The Secret Garden', then you will be sorely disappointed by 'I am Happy'. There isn't even any really funny moments for him to shine in. In truth, there isn't anything, but heartbreaking moments. It was very misleading. That's false advertising, big time! I don't know, why they had to lie, to make audiences want to see it. The movie was still somewhat compelling to watch, with its psychological melodrama. If, there is anything good, about it, the acting wasn't that bad. Yes, the movie has a lot more slow and dull moments, where the actors does nothing, but stare like mindless zombies, but at least, there are some instants, where each of their character can really stand out and shine. Sadly, those intense emotional moments are far too little. Most of the movie is endless amount of talking scenes; which had dialogue that was mostly boring. The pacing for this film is also horrible. It really talks forever to tell, the story of these two. Hardly any action going on. Added to the pressure, is weird way, the film intercuts flashbacks. It's so confusing; one minute, Cho Man-Su in the hospital, the next minute, he's running a car repair shop, another second, he's getting out of the hospital. The movie is full of odd place scenes like that. There is no sense of story-structure. The movie is also missing a lot of exposition scenes as well. I can see the extent to which a brother with a gambling addiction and mother with dementia could send him over the edge, however, honestly, I still don't know, how Cho Man-Su came under the delusion that he was a Swiss Millionaire. It seem like he had no idea, where Switzerland, was before this, nor did he shown any interest in being a millionaire, before then. So where did he get the idea? I also don't get, how his story, relations to the nurse's story. Yes, both people are dealing with illness, but dealing with mental illness is way difference than physical illness. There is hardly any connection with the two story concept. The movie even lose focus at times. One scene, has Man-Su trying to stand up against shock therapy as if he is Randle McMurphy from 1975's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. This over-sense of rebellion, seem a little too out of character for him, even as a crazy guy. It really comes out of nowhere. Also, the sense that he's happy with his craziness is not really established, well. I didn't sense that he was happy with all the blank staring at walls. So I don't get it. Overall: This film is so poorly written that it just end up being uber-confusing and way too long and depressing to enjoy. Not a great watch. Check 2008's I am Happy, instead.

I Am Happy (2008)

[xeniamd-35210 · 8/10 · 10 April 2020]

Suffering. Depression. Love. Paradox.

My Binnie played Man-soo, a patient in a mental institution. His illness was brought by circumstances and I guess genetics. Script was just ok but was compensated with Bin's acting. It made me shed tears as he showed the pain and love for his mum and brother. This film is so deep and truly challenging. A story of a wounded soul.

Quite intense - a realistic and well made movie

[phd_travel · 8/10 · 25 October 2020]

This movie pulls no punches and shows the horror treatment of a mental breakdown and terminal illness. Good pacing so as not to overwhelm. This isn't some soppy sweet kdrama movie about mental illness. The two lead characters are a man suffering a mental breakdown and delusions and a nurse who works in the ward. Her father is dying of cancer. Bear in mind the flashbacks are when he isn't in hospital yet. The present is when he is committed. The backstory for the mental illness is tragically and movingly conveyed. Money and the lack of it and the pain it caused. There is some humor too. Hyun Bin acts very well from the expressions in his eyes to the body language it is a fine performance. Lee Bo Young looks suitably depressed. Interestingly the doctor seems to be a bad guy in his personal life towards the nurse but he actually is quite an effective at his treatment. The patients resent it but it worked. Don't know if it was too drastic. After such a sad story the ending is actually quite satisfying.

Intense, slow and deeply felt

[svgcryq · 10/10 · 4 July 2021]

This is a deeply compelling performance by Hyun Bin and supported by well cast and well drawn others. It was a brave part to take for a young actor in a profession that puts a premium on attractiveness. Being prepared to show yourself raw, dishevelled and beaten down shows his authenticity as an actor. Though slow moving it is never boring. This is an honest portrayal of health and poverty and of the limits of human tolerance of grief, abuse and despair. Well done Hyun Bin, we'll done everyone. Such a shame it wasn't better received. It deserved accolades not dismissal.