Ryoo Seung-jin (류승진)

[DVD Review] A look at the girls' side of gundae

Source | 2008/05/02 | Permalink |

How crazy is it to wait 730 days for a lover?
A recently released Korean DVD, "Crazy Waiting" ("The Longest 24 Months" - Gidarida michyeo) portrays the painful separation period that young Korean couples endure due to the mandatory military service imposed on men here.
For patient people, 730 days might not seem that long, but it can be an eternity for young lovers.
As one of the last divided countries in the world, Korea sends its young, healthy men in their early 20s — typically the prime of their lives — into the military. The length of the service is generally two years but varies slightly depending on the armed branch.
In this film, four couples have to go through tearful goodbyes. It's sad for the guys, but even more heartbreaking for the girls, who must send their loved ones to some countryside training camp where they don't even have a decent heater.
After the initial, emotion-ridden phase, however, the girls' worries about their boyfriends soon dissipate into a tidal wave...| More

[MOVIE REVIEW] '24 Months' sheds light on conscription

Source | 2007/12/20 | Permalink |

No phones. No MP3 players. No girlfriends. For Korean men, a nightmarish experience is often compared to the compulsory military service. Many say their freedom is suppressed and they are not allowed to meet their loved ones often enough.

Still not sure about how dreadful it is to serve in the Korean military? Just ask Psy, who was conscripted this week -- the second time in his life -- after months of futile court battles over whether he served his duties properly.

Exploring this theme is the movie "The Longest 24 Months" (Gidarida micheo), directed by Ryoo Seung-jin. It delves into the typical angst of Korean youth related to the military service -- the inevitable relationship problems stemming from the "out of sight, out of mind" rule.

Most male students head for the military barracks after finishing their first or second year in college, and many of them go through relationship troubles when they leave their girlfriends behind.

The film presents four different couples a...| More