My Tutor Friend (2003)

The only thing that keeps this film from being 100% perfect in my eyes (well, minus an incident or two of perverted humor, which I always find pretty tasteless) is the lack of a romantically intimate moment at the end, ie. a kiss, a long embrace, the main couple walking off hand in hand, something. Of course, it doesn't actually matter that this doesn't happen. The movie works perfectly well on it's own without any of those things. I'm just an out and out sucker for rom-coms that end with an intimate, romantic moment of some kind, and this movie doesn't have that sort of ending.

Don't misunderstand. The leads do end up together, and it's really cute (and pretty hilarious) how it comes about, so don't read the above and think that this is some sort of flaw in the movie, because it's not. I just have specific expectations with my rom-coms, and this movie hit all of them expect this one.

Moving on from my ramblings though, lol. This movie is laugh-out-loud hilarious, features two leads with bang-on chemistry and great repartee, a fun and funny premise, very much a Korean teen rom-com classic. It will probably feel dated to some people as at this point, we've pretty much all seen a lot of what it has to offer already. But I personally think it's one of the best from it's time, and stands the test of time pretty dang well, so I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys these sorts of films and even those who maybe generally don't.

It's a fun time all around.

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A cute watch

This drama starts of like any other enemies to lovers kind of trope. Except the lead is a tutor and the male lead is a high school student?!?

It’s a bit odd at first and I found myself disliking the female lead at the start- she just seemed very annoying at times. But after the first couple of tutor sessions it’s really funny to see their dynamic.

The male lead is absolutely amazing - I have seen him in other dramas and he always nails it. I think he really saved it for me - he was able to encompass all the emotions so well (jealous, anger, happiness and love).

There are also many side characters like the high school friends, those scenes were really funny. It also felt like a time capsule ( gave me flashbacks to older kdramas).

The premise of the drama is not really complex- but I think what makes it so intriguing is the chemistry. It really grows throughout and you begin to root for them.

The music was not really memorable and I would not really say I remembered much of it.

I would definitely rewatch. It’s a cute watch would recommend if your feeling a bit down.

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The beginning was a little cringey (but hang on, it WAS filmed 10 years ago) but I enjoyed the general premise of Ji-hoon being a high-school student, who's repeated his final year 3 times, and therefore our lead heroine is drafted in to "tutor" him.

Lol, this movie taught me something new. I never knew you could stay in high school till you're 21+, usually there's a cut-off age around 19 or something....isn't there?

It's well worth the watch, coz Gong Yoo is in it, and it's funny coz he looks exactly the same 10 years later! (Good genes) It's also interesting to note he stared in Coffee Prince 4 years after this, and in that time he went from playing a crabby high school student, to a magnetic, sexy romantic lead!!!

I laughed, there was lots of funny moments, but at times I did feel like something was missing. Other people have every right to disagree on this, in fact they have, so don't take my word for it. It's up to you to judge^^

But it's a good movie to have saved for a rainy day.

PS: Kwan Sang-Woo is SO hot in this!!!!

Also this was 3rd best-selling Korean of 2003 (source wikipedia) so it deserves a look in, for that fact alone, no? :D

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Story (6.0):
There never seems to be a lack of action in the story, as in it doesn't get boring, but when you try to think about what happened it's a bit hilarious and lacking in true content. A comedic action storyline. You're not going to take the boss fights seriously, it's all there to lead the semi romance. Even failed first loves are shown with hilarity and not taken seriously. You honestly can't take any of this story seriously though there's nothing inherently comedic about it... :P
Don't come here for something to think on, just for something to laugh through. And as a plus, Gong Yoo is in this film.

Acting/Cast (9.0):
Kim Ha Neul did a great job with this part and it fit her pretty well. That said, neither her nor Kwon Sang Woo look the age their supposed to be acting (more so with Kwon Sang Woo), but it doesn't seriously detract from the story. I think they were only like 4 or 5 years older at the time anyway. No overly terrible acting (that didn't fit the story).

Oh I'm going to add another category

Gong Yoo (10.0):
Gong Yoo was in it.

Music (7.0):
Lol, the music fit the comedic tone fine especially in the gangster fight scenes. Did you know Gong Yoo is in this film? The music really fit with him too.

Rewatch Value (7.0):
It's probably not a film I'll come back to watch again but I'm not dead set against it either. By the way Gong Yoo is in this film.

Overall (7.5):
If you're bored or lazy or want to get over a long day at work, don't hesitate to watch this. It's fun and not annoying like I've found some films of this early 2000s era (yes I'm looking at you My Sassy Girl) though it's also not the best of the era. For instance, I'd recommend She's On Duty more than this and bonus it also has Gong Yoo in it.
Also, Gong Yoo is in this film so that's a plus. I can't get enough of him playing the high school student. Did I mention... never mind ;)

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