MovieChat Forums > Yeopgijeogin geunyeo (2001) Discussion > Hostage-scene ruined this movie. Is this...

Hostage-scene ruined this movie. Is this a true story?

posted 13 years ago by mrivanchiu
6 replies | jump to latest

That hostage-taking scene really stretched my suspension of disbelief. I was watching this movie expecting this to be based on a true story, and I just couldn't believe this scene, here's why:

The hostage scene, seems to me is a major part of their story or their life. After all, Sassy Girl and especially Gyeon-Woo almost died, and it's a pretty spectacular event by any standard. I figured the movie writers wouldn't just make that story out of thin air. Not even an artistic license would permit to change the story as radical as that. So that story has to be included in the internet posts or book, i figured. Now, here's my problem with that scene:

To start, being held hostage is quite rare and unbelievable by itself. Maybe in some slums it's not, but considering all information given in the movie; and considering that the hostage situation isn't even what the movie is about, what are the odds. Not to mention the reason the soldier did it (he wants to die in front of his gf) is veeery lame and conveniently congruent with the story's theme, a love story. Just find me a real hostage scene with that reason and I might believe lol. And Sassy Girl talking about love leading the soldier to change his mind and freeing Gyeon-Woo is excruatingly clicheeeeeeeee. Like I remember seeing that in some Hollywood chick flick. And wow, there has to be fireworks at the end to culminate the event, huh? Also, Sassy Girl bitch-slapping Gyeon-Woo after he almost died is ridiculously evil. Cmon, you can't make a comedy about that.

And there are other 'minor' things too. The most notable one is how Gyeon-Woo just happened to encounter Sassy Girl out of all the girls on the street he could have hit (the hey, baby scene). The ball hitting the head scene is also corny and just not real.

I'm even skeptical about the source. According to wiki, it seems only the blog posts the basis of this story. Really, nothing else? Just written by one man? Do we even get to hear Sassy Girl's side of the story? If those are true and correct me if I'm wrong, then the source is pretty weak and the producers shouldn't pass this as based on a true story. Anybody could make up some *beep* and post it in blogs.

But in general, a pretty emotional film, especially at the end. Much better than the average chick-flick, but imo still in the category of romantic comedy and not a biopic because of these said unbelievable scenes and a weak source imo.

[–] sseankeating 13 years ago

I don't think it was meant ot be taken as completely nonfictional.

The whole movie was basically based on the foundation of fate. Even though the two were separated at the end, they were always fated to be with one another.

The movie is just a whimsical telling of the story of how these two people came to be together, and the movie is most likely not meant to be analyzed to such a high level of plausibility

[–] the_black_rabbit_of_inle 13 years ago

i completely agree with the poster, the hostage situation seemed out of place and unnecessary. The movie is cute and has some little things that make you like it, but it also has its flaws.

[–] cool_saham 13 years ago

I completely agree with the op... I went to see the movie thinking it was based on real events and real emotions but its cliched to the core in many scenes. One thing that bothers me the most was why did he took her to the motel he could ve easily checked her phone for any close relative and there the story wouldve ended it all seemed made up rather than true

Man on gas station: There's a storm coming.
Sarah Connor: I know...
*beep*

[–] infinajt 13 years ago

I think "realistic" is the very last thing this movie aimed to be. It's a fantasy built upon a real life situation and pretty deep in what it chooses to do.

[–] jctheone23 11 years ago

I've read the blogs that the movie was based on....most of it anyways.
Most of the movie is true, like how they met, the motel, and the birthday scene at the amusement park, but they weren't held hostage. It says that he payed his friends $200 to help him with her birthday present, they pulled it off just like the movie but then got caught by security.......oh and his friends got fired
lol T.T

[–] da_rc 8 years ago

she sees an UFO at the end, when standing under their tree, reading his letter. that shows her and us (the viewers) that the old man she met under the tree was actually the hero but from the future.

so no, the movie is not 100% based on real experiences :)