Oechul (2005)

Oechul: Directed by Jin-ho Hur. With Yong-jun Bae, Son Ye-jin, Kook-huan Chun, Clazziquai. A man and a woman meet in the hospital after their respective partners are involved in a car accident. After learning that their spouses have been having an affair, the two begin one of their own.

“Take IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE but have the protagonists meet when their spouses are in a serious car crash, donu0026#39;t be so bloody obtuse about the whole thing, and youu0026#39;re on way to making APRIL SNOW. Writer/director Hur Jin-Ho is certainly not a cheerful chap, with his trilogy of seasonally-named films each taking a depressing scenario and quietly exploring the charactersu0026#39; pain… yet somehow his films donu0026#39;t end up actually being depressing. The situation could easily lend itself to melodrama (and the soundtrack seems like it wants to go there), but the characters and emotions feel too real and natural.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAlthough the plot of the film is essentially very predictable, itu0026#39;s all about the details… the unassuming direction places the actors in the spotlight – a light that pierces right into the characters, and requires superb performances from the cast. Luckily Bae Yong-Joon and the gorgeous Son Ye-Jin are capable of delivering exactly that.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eVery well crafted and enjoyable, though not so innovative as ONE FINE SPRING DAY.”