My Thoughts on April Snow

Sometimes it is only in silence that we hear what our heart is telling us. Thus, with a heart ready to listen, I went out to experience the beauty that was April Snow.

On the surface the movie is simple and bereft of beautiful sceneries and heart wrenching dialogues that you may expect with adultery as a theme. You won’t even notice the long passage of time unless you are intently watching the movie and taking notes of the subtle signs.

Insu is your typical married man who seemed to be absorbed in his work. He is confident in the love and fidelity of his partner because they’ve been married for quite some time. His character is restrained and appears to be conservative in his values. While Seo Young is the dutiful wife who is content with her relationship with her husband. I can only gather that Insu and his wife has gone through the normal course of having a relationship – courtship and dating before getting married while that of So-Young was fixed by her father and may have developed feelings for her husband through the course of their married life. So how will they react when their “perfect world” collapses?

You cannot help but see the real person behind the characters portrayed BYJ and SYJ simply because no fixed script was given and they have to come up with their own interpretations of scenarios given to them. My admiration for Yong Joon only deepened because his integrity as a person was highlighted more. No wonder both actors felt so drained after shooting the film because they got too emotionally involved with their characters. They were forced to challenge their preconception on what is right and wrong.

My top five favorite scenes are as follows:
1. Seo Young looking out across the street waiting for Yong Joon to show up. Her resignation on her fate cuts through your heart. Likewise, you can also feel for Insu as he cries in his room. The full impact of what he ended up doing written in his face.
2. Insu coming back to his room after leading his father-in-law away and giving Seo Yeong an embrace.
3. Insu’s frustration in cracking the secret password of his wife’s phone.
4. His breakdown scene at the bar while drinking with a friend.
5. When Seo Young unintentionally covered the entire face of his husband with a blanket while she was cleaning up the window ledge.

Dir. Hur manages to take us through the stages that most people go through when faced with betrayal. From denial, anger, seeking answers or taking revenge to final acceptance and moving on. He gives us insights but he never lingers hence the abrupt change from one scene to another. That gives the viewers a chance to play with his/her own imagination thereby coming up with our own unique conclusion. I’m happy that he did not force his own point of view but made us take the journey with the characters and feel what they are going through.

In the movie Insu asked Seo Young what they could have been if they have met earlier or much later. The end gave us hope that there might be another chance to this star crossed lovers once they were able to heal their own wounds. Thank you Dir Hur for making April Snow worth the long wait.

April Snow and Me

I've watched the movie last night but I have no plans of making a review of the movie until I've watched it again 3 or 4 more times. In the meantime, I would just like to share my personal stake while watching the movie.

For people who knew me and what I've been through a few years back, they will understand why I have a deep emotional connection to the story of April Snow. There is a fear in me that watching it would bring back old ghost of the past which I have managed to conquer just a few years back. I came prepared with two hankies just in case but thankfully the movie did not focus much in playing with the emotions but with just bringing up the scenarios and letting people read between the lines.

Like Insoo and So Young, I felt the pain of betrayal from a spouse and like them I didn't get the chance to rant and rave upon hearing the news. I can emphatize with their sometimes stoic portrayal because that is exactly how some of us feel when we go through the motions of living but is silently hurting. Wanting answers but not getting any.......

Revenge, having an affair, getting even - such things comes to mind because one seeks understanding on why such things happen. It's easy to pass judgement on those who commit the sin of adultery because we were all raised knowing that it's wrong. We think those couples are just selfish people who wants to massage their ego, definitely there cannot be love when there is sin involved. One cannot fully understand until one has crossed the line and experienced it yourself. I remember Insu when his wife asked why he is not asking about what happened. His answer " I wanted to ask you before but not anymore". I too found that closure in a painful way. I've loved and lost again because such love is not meant to be. As the passage to a song goes...........

We had the right love at the wrong time
Guess I always knew inside
I wouldn't have you for a long time.

Somewhere down the road,
our roads are gonna cross again
It doesn't really matter when
But somewhere down the road
I know that heart of yours will come to see
That you belong to me.

Letting go, is just another way to say
I'll always love you so.....

April Snow Opens Today

I hardly had a sleep last night, blame it on the combination of Starbucks coffee and excitement on finally meeting THE MAN himself the following day. Yes, April Snow will make a Philippine debut today November 23, 2005 in 12 major cinemas in the city. The best part will be seeing the movie with friends (old and new) who share the same sentiment that I have. Who loves Yong Joon as much if not more than I do.

Never mind the hunger pangs, I spent my lunch hour going to the venue of our group viewing tonight, Glorietta 4. Big hugs to my baesis Rita for taking care of getting the flowers for us ~ they are so beautiful.

So my dear Yong Joon, even if you are physically apart from us our spirit are one with you and we will continue to show our love and support. Gosh, 2 more hours to go!

How I Take My Coffee

Who said I'm serious? Meeee, look my friends, this is how I drink my coffee

Another Fun Saturday with Baesisters

I got an SMS message from baesis Joji asking if I'm interested to join her and Northstar on a Saturday morning to check out a one day Korean Catholic Church Bazaar at the grounds of Santuario de San Antonio, in Forbes Park, Makati. Of course I said yes, who would want to miss a day with a long missed friends.

The bazaar was a feast to ones eyes, assortment of herbal suppliments, accessories, make-up, garments and household items were on sale. We went on our separate ways and agreed to meet in an hour but it was not long before Northstar excitedly called my attention, "onni, tumingin ka dun (look over there)but all I see are the faces of koreans passing-by. So we muscled our way passed the milling crowd to the space of an exhibitor and you can guess my reaction when I saw this.



A stand selling the WLS voice cup which I've always wanted to have. I got so excited that I didn't think twice in buying it so I haggled for a good price Php700 (USD$13) for the big one.

It was getting hot in the hall so we went out to get a breath of fresh air and what did we see, rows of tent selling korean street food.


Yum, yum, yummm, and I said bye-bye to my promise to cut-off carbs from my diet.
It was like being transported to korea for a short while ~ sorrounded by koreans, enveloped by the smell of their food and their endless chatter. We even have our picture taken with some kids that we made friends while eating.
Soon it was time for lunch so we move to another place, this time a grill restaurant, what can I say, we all enjoy good food, hahaha

Belinda joined us so it's another excuse to have our picture taken. Ok do the korean pose ~~~~ kimchi (smile)!
So we exchanged stories about BYJ's trip to China (it was his second day) and how sorry Joji was to miss it by going a week earlier. Better luck next time sis! Finally, it was almost time to call it a day but not without going to Starbucks and giving our wls voice cups a try~ cheers!

Bae Yong Joon Conquers China

I was mentally prepared for the assault of photos that will be coming in last Friday, November 11, or so I thought. I got a private message from one very kind japanese sister that Yong Joon left Incheon for China at 11:00 am and has is sporting a clean look ~ sighs since I loved his rugged look a few days ago.

His plane arrived in Beijing a few minutes before lunch so my lunchbreak went flying out of the window. I know glued myself infront of my pc and waits for any news that will come. We was slightly delayed in going out of the airport to receive the welcome of more than 4000 of his eager fans. But I'm sure it was worth it since I was mesmerized by his new look what for for those waiting for him at the airport.
What a sight and a good diversion from my hunger pangs. A lull of news and photos came at around 2:00 pm so I took a very short break. BYJ Quilt was acting up because of the influx of people trying to get the latest news so I'm thankful that Joons family is also updated with all the latest buzz to satisfy my curiosity.

The press conference for the movie April Snow started a few minutes before 3pm. By then Yong Joon has changed into another set of clothes and came out looking refreshed and excited to meet his chinese fans. He even managed to greet them in Mandarin and I laughed because he nailed his pronounciation. Sounds just like my fave baesis Judy when she speaks ~ glad he took the effort to study.
The famous "Korean Wave"
And his drop dead smile that can light up my christmas tree....

Some more pics from his activities last Nov. 12 when he graced a fan meeting in his honor. I was not able to go online that day because of a date with other baesis but will blog about it later.


I was hoping he will get to wear one while in China ~ wish granted!

HE'S BACK!!!

The smile that can light up a christmas tree!

OMG!!!! I've been missing him terribly and wonderin how he looks now but finally he's back and what a sight to behold.

Can anybody be more sexy with that beard and hair. Gosh I think I'm the one needing an oxygen tank beside me.
Love the outfit, it just accentuates his loooong legs

Missing Minhyung

Frances posted these photos in soompi and it just made my day. Apparently they are Japanese men who arrived at Incheon Airport all dressed like Minhyung.

I've been missing Yong Joon so much I decided to rewatch WLS again even. It was almost the same time 2 years ago when his drama was shown in our country and I fell hook, line and sinker for him. I cant wait to see him again when he visit China.