In "A Man Who Was Superman" director Jeong Yoon-cheol, the tear jerking maestro behind "Marathon" (2005), teams up with superstars Jeon Ji-hyeon (aka Gianna Jun) and Hwang Jeong-min. It's a multi-dimensional story that, while buttressed by the safety net of the American superhero's iconic cultural appeal, is reborn with an unconventional Superman ― a modern-day hero who battles urban apathy and preaches the virtues of lending a hand.
Soo-jung (Jeon) is a producer of human-interest TV documentaries. Cynical, worn out and shrouded in cigarette smoke, she doesn't believe in the product she sells, and even resorts to throwing in bits of fabrication to heighten the schmaltziness of her lame subject matter. Sick of contrived drama, she decides to leave with the firm's camera instead of her overdue payroll to shoot ruthless lions in Africa.
But things don't work out, and to make matters worse, a thief runs off with her camera. But then along comes Superman (Hwang) ― a rather odd fellow clad in a Hawaiian shirt ― to the rescue.
And so Soo-jung returns to her dead-end job with a new story. She starts documenting the mystery man and his chronic willingness to help others, like helping the elderly cross the street and rescuing puppies, as well as his obsessive environmental activism, like hand-standing in the middle of the street to "push off" the rays of the sun.
What's more, Superman claims he cannot use his superpowers due to a piece of kryptonite (the fictional element in the original cartoon that weakens Superman's powers) stuck in his head. But when an X-ray reveals that there really is some foreign object rooted in his brain, Soo-jung knows she has a hit story.
But even greater surprises await Soo-jung, as Superman starts knocking at her frigid heart.
The film's conquering tactic is fairly simple: overwhelm and amuse the audience with Superman's utterly bizarre existence, while Soo-jung's cynicism and disheartening practicality downplay the absurdity. Viewers will fall in love with the characters and have their hearts broken by the revealing of the tragic secrets of the characters. There's also a biting moral lesson about something we're all guilty of.
The movie explores the "bystander effect" ― how individuals are less likely to help others when in a group _ and its traumatizing aftermath. But "Superman" is not a bitter social commentary. It's a fuzzy human drama, and counters that feeling of uneasiness by throwing in a ray of hope, thus wrapping it up with a smile.
It works how we expect a movie to. Sure, it's ridden with fairytale conventions, but has a modern edge that make you want to believe in it. The director also showcases a new directorial style by adding elements of fantasy. You need to let go of your inhibitions and just tune into the fun, like the parody of the original comic strip and other surreal scenes.
But despite the comic relief, the first half of the two-hour flick seems to drag out a little too much before reaching the climax. But Hwang works his magic and saves the script.
The director has said Hwang ("Happiness", 2007) is the one and only actor in Korea to pull off Superman, and indeed the actor surprises viewers with yet another unforgettable role as he maps out an endless array of emotions. His Hawaiian shirt, strange dance routines and giddy comments might give birth to a new superhero figure.
Jeon, on the other hand, manages to pull together a convincing character. But despite her disheveled hair and makeup-less face, her sarcastic character still strongly reflects the oddly lovely girl from "My Sassy Girl" (2001).
The film basically says that being Superman isn't difficult. "The film made me realize I too can be Superman (and change for the better). But I haven't taken action yet, but the thought that I must change, I think, is the beginning. And a good beginning is half the battle, right?" said Jeon at a recent press preview in Seoul.
In theaters Jan. 31. English subtitles available at CGV Yongsan.
English 
US$5 off (order min. US$5)
