My latest Korean film that touched my heart

Miles apart yet a breath away

Name:  Virgin Snow (2007)
Cast: Lee Jun Ki, Aoi Miyazaki
Director: Han Sang-hye (Han Sang-Hee)

Producer: Jonat Han Kim
Genre: Romance

          The film Virgin Snow is considered one of the best Korean-Japanese movie collaborations. Unlike the popular Korean-Japanese, my Way which is based on a person’s dream caught in 2^nd World War, Virgin Snow shows the audience that love knows no language and distance barrier.

        The film starts with Min, a Korean boy, exploring Kyoto as he has just moved to Japan with his father, a potter. Then in a local shrine he bumps into Nanae, an aspiring Japanese girl. He becomes head over heel at first sight strongly attracted at her simplicity and stunning eyes. Luck stays by him as he finds out she attends the same school he has just transferred. Despite their cultural and language barrier, their relation develops fast from friends to special someone. However, the sudden illness of Min’s grandmother makes him hastily return to Korea. When he comes back, Nanae is nowhere to be found.
          The idea of the film is very simple- true love sees no cultural and language barrier. Moreover, it tells us sincerity and faithfulness is the basic element that binds a relation strongly. And lastly the belief in oneself and one’s dream can lead us to our destiny is beautifully portrayed in the film.
        

The one thing that I like about the film is that though the storyline is very simple, two persons of different culture falling in love, the film successfully holds back the audience to their seats. As usual like all Asian films, the film showcases the scenic beauties of their locations- both Korea and Japan. From the beginning till the end the audience feels restless thinking about the fate of the lovers. The director carefully uses almost all the scenes for a purpose and gives a meaning to it at the right time. For instance the first scene of showing different paintings is concluded in the last scene. Moreover the sweet music of the film enhances the simplicity and beauty of the film. Another thing that I like about the film is the way Min and Nanae communicate with each other, using signs, symbols and broken Korean and Japanese language. The perfect cinematography captures the emotions carried during snow falls.

           Both Lee Jun Ki and Aoi Miyazaki have played their roles beautifully, Lee as energetic young student and Aoi as a smart, simple and aspiring painter. Both are popular actors of their respective nations and they continue to capture millions of heart with their cute acts. For all those who love and enjoy teenage romance, Virgin Snow is the perfect treat.