Sympathy for a Bad Guy

Bad Guy is grotesque, disturbing and makes no excuses. It is the self destructive tale of a man with desires. An obsession with a prim, well-to-do co ed who snubs him upon their first meeting. To prove that she isn't too good for him Han-ki  (played by Cho Jae Hyun) sets a trap and pulls Sun-wha (played by Seo Won) into his depraved surroundings. An underworld filled with gangsters and prostitution. Sun-wha's life in the Red Light District is filled with a heavy sense of hopeless determination, yet she manages to cope with the existence thrust upon her. After running away and suffering a re-abduction, Han-ki takes her to a beach where they witness a woman commit suicide. Sun-wha gather's up the bits of torn photos left behind by the self-destructive woman; only later to find the missing pieces and realized the pictures depict Han-ki and the deceased woman who strongly resembles herself. Upon realizing this, Sun-wha (having been granted her freedom) decides to remain with her captor.


Kim Ki-duk, best known for eccentric and controversial films has a way of presenting disturbing, depraved themes and challenging his audience with not only thinking about the material presented, but also finding the true beauty as well. Ki-duk isn't afraid to present heavily digested themes and bring the often ignored into direct light.

30 Second Mini-Review: The City of Lost Children

Very much along the lines of a warped fairy tale for adults; the story centers around a crazed inventor which for some reason is unable to obtain sleep so he takes to abducting children in order to rob them of their dreams, but his menacing presence only causes the children to feed him nightmares and so a quest is taken in order to find the one who does not fear him.

Wonderful plot, definately draws the audience into the alternate reality like atmosphere; as well as background information is slowly revealed about each character, thus giving each persona a more three dimensional feel. Also not so subtily implied pediophelic romance between Miete and One.

Definately a must see and if you enjoyed this title you should definately see: "The Cook, the Thief, his Wife, and her Lover"