Always (2011) Poster

(2011)

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9/10
Always~
VioletSakurachan20 October 2012
I loved this movie, the months I was waiting to watch it were not wasted... Han Hyo-Joo confirmed one more time her acting talent and bringing tears to my eyes. If somebody asks me to tell them about this movie in two words, I'll say 'warm sun'... This movie gave so many warm feelings... Director's and cameraman's work is brilliant... The game of lights in this movie, in my opinion, is one of the main positive effects... Because of the light in the movie... everything is printed in the smallest details in my brain... the girls clothes... the guys hair... the sun in the room... the beautiful kiss... the family feeling with the dog... the massage...the drama watching time...their field full of the yellowest flowers...her, touching his face to 'see' him... (I can go on, until I've told the whole movie..thehe). Though the plot is not something brilliant and new for a Korean movie, actors and the crew makes the movie unforgettable, in my opinion.. Watch it, you won't regret!
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8/10
A love story for all!
ryanmarkdante15 February 2012
So here goes my very first ever Review in the entire world! I had to register to IMDb in order to express my emotion and share to All my profound feeling after having watched this film.

I have in the many years watched various Korean movies and TV series from Swordplay, Action & Drama. When I came across this film, I did not know what to expect or how this film would be. I just wanted to watch it, and at the end of the movie; I felt content, happy and invigorated.

For those of you who have not watched many Korean movies. Know this, they are a very passionate people, funny and even cute in their mannerism. Very different from your Hollywood or European movies. Please watch this movie with an open heart and let Chul-min and Junghwa take you on a journey of life through their eyes, through co-incidences, the affects the decisions we make. The trials we go through and the sacrifices we make in the name of love.

I hope my dear friend that after having watched this movie through the end, that like myself you find yourself thinking of someone who you would like to share this movie with. Then go forth and spread the love.
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8/10
Excellent Drama for true love
m-afrodith10 September 2012
OK, it is easy to guess the story but I must admit that it is very good directed. The actors are terrific in performance and appearance. Ji-Sub So is very handsome (his face is one of the prettiest Korean faces I have ever seen combining good looking with deep voice and attractive sportive image) and his acting is pretty good, specifically at the end. Jeong-hwa is the sweetest girl I have ever seen in Korean movies and her performance is excellent as well. I thinks she has a big future as an actress. The directions is very touching and manages to describe the depth of the characters. I am a 33-year-old-cynic female pig but I cried because of the movie.
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10/10
Never!
chichak18 February 2013
This movie may appear to be like any other bittersweet love story as for example the Hollywood drama "The Notebook" which is widely known for the tragic tone entangled with the lives of the two lovers. This one is different. This story is ruthlessly heartbreaking and at the same time mesmerizingly beautiful. It will play with your feelings, it will make you hide your head under the pillow, and it will make you laugh hard for it's innocent approach to life. It will make you agitated, it will make you anxious. It will make you feel like a heavy load has been lifted from your chest after the happy scene which will bring out yet another denouement which isn't the last one. This story will maybe disappoint the ones who seek for something different, something utterly tragic, or on the other hand, it will surely touch the hearts of the emotional ones and make such a strong impression that it will last for some time... Anyhow, it will make you remember that life and love should never be understated, never!
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10/10
An amazing film that will keep you watching - I loved this
zken11 March 2012
How many of you will see this? I am someone who now realizes that Korean movies are now worth paying attention to. On one level this movie is pure melodrama. But when you think about it, melodrama goes back to the beginning of film. And the plot of this movie, comes directly from Charley Chaplin's "City Lights". So the story works here precisely because this kind of film has disappeared from mainstream movies. I hope you remember how Steven Spielberg broke through by harnessing the power of the cinema to make us feel. I have no idea who this director is. But what I do know is that he is a master of a very old kind of storytelling and he is hip enough to kick the whole story up to modern times in a scene so violent, well, we won't go into it...but hide you eyes if you have to. The lead actors, indeed, all the actors, are so good that they make you feel things despite a language none of us hear very often. And they are not over doing it, in a story that could have been destroyed by their lack of subtlety. Seeing this movie with a crowd of young Asian Americans at their festival in San Francisco was a special treat. Do not miss this, it is one of the best films of the year for those of us who love pure cinema. Hats off to a culture and cinema production style that could allow this to be made. You will not see anything like this again anytime soon.
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A perfect 10!!!!!
rightwingisevil9 February 2012
i was so deeply moved and touched by this wonderfully crafted korean movie. i used to love the action packed suspenseful thriller movies, but sometimes, when a rarely find wonderful romantic movie could also melt my stubborn old heart deeply trembled with the ultimate soft feeling of a human being. what i'd like to point out here is that the koreans actually are the most romantic race in the world, it's so contradict to what they usually showed to other people. the formulaic korean national characteristics being cruelly portrayed are obnoxious, stubborn, arrogant, impolite, impatient and sometimes, very illogically unreasonable. but these are actually wrong, because deep down in most korean hearts, they are just so helplessly romantic, otherwise, they won't be able to produce so many wonderful break-your-heart tear-jerking romance dramas in both TV and movies and, if they are good, they are not just commonly good, they are crazily fantastic! i think this special korean tenderness also subtly showed in their beautiful electronic and vehicle products.

this movie, again, is a perfect 10. you should get rid of what you've already become and watch this movie with the tenderness that still not die in your heart. and i sincerely believe that after watching this movie, you would feel better and become a nicer person, temporarily, of course.
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6/10
Felt like it isn't all that original of a romance flick
KineticSeoul24 December 2012
This is a alright romance movie but nothing spectacular that doesn't pull anything all that new. Maybe near the end and the revealing of both sides tragic past. But even that isn't all that original. The two protagonist in this love story is between a ex-boxer by the name of Cheol-Min(So Ji-Sub) who works as a parking attendant. And the other is a blind girl by the name of Jung-Hwa(Han Hyo-Joo). Both fit the roles well, especially So Ji-Sub who isn't just a face in the movie industry but fits the tough exterior. Han Hyo-Joo is believable as a blind girl and her exterior and everything works. The beginning starts off promising but afterwards it goes in a pretty narrow direction where it becomes predictable. But the revelations of both characters is when the story starts to pick up. The thing about the plot of this flick though is that after coming up with the two protagonist, just about anyone could have written the script for this movie. There is no humor in this but it's a straightforward romance movie. And the premise like this one has been done before, "My Dear Desperado" comes to mind which I thought was a better movie.

6/10
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9/10
Beautiful movie...
paul_haakonsen31 December 2015
"Always" (aka "O-jik geu-dae-man") is the type of movie that you simply owe to yourself to watch, because it is a beautiful and touching movie, up alongside "Failan", "Oasis" and "Fly Me to Polaris".

What makes the movie sink right in is the storyline and the detailed characters. This is a love story that will sweep you away, and the characters are ones you take to heart and bond with. As such, then South Korean director Il-gon Song really managed to put together an unforgettable movie.

And the actors and actresses in the movie also have an immense credit for making this a beautiful movie. Especially the two leading talents Ji-Seob So (playing Cheol-Min) and Hyo-Jo Han (playing Jeong-Hwa) were fabulous in the movie, both together and on their own.

"Always" tells the story of ex-boxer Cheol-Min who works at a parking garage where he happens to meet the blind telemarketing woman Jeong-Hwa. A friendship sparks and blossoms into love.

It should be said that "Always" is likely to have you in tears, so you might just want to have a tissue within arms reach. Yep, the movie does have that strong of an impact, as it a very emotional movie.

This is MUST watch if you enjoy the South Korean cinema in all its diversity.
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6/10
Good but could been better
seveneleven-442698 November 2019
It is not perfect , but still watchable. It would be much better if the supporting casts were used wisely. The writer started writing well but lost in the middle.
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10/10
So Far The Best Korean Movie I have Seen
princedanjasper6 March 2013
To see a rating of 7, I was compelled to write my review. This is so far the best Korean movie I have seen. I have seen loads of other movies but I'm sure its one of the best. A simple and heart touching story of what true love is all about.

This movie is worth watching. I just wish I could watch it over and over again.

Simply awesome, no words to describe. Just go for it.

I have never reviewed before. This movie has something very unique that made me review it.

Can a movie as good as this be made again? :'( I'm not so sure :'(

I give it a 10/10
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7/10
It's written to make you cry ...
Sippytea9 June 2021
I really really liked the first half. Well maybe not that sudden hair change though. It might be quite predictable in the latter half , but the acting was top notch.
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8/10
Great Pure Melodrama
odessajones28 March 2015
The Koreans do melodrama better than anyone else on the planet. I wish I had known about Korean movies years ago. (I saw "Always" four years after its release. When will a Korean movie get released in the US?!?)

The plot here is reminiscent of "An Affair to Remember," the quintessential Hollywood romance. But the feeling and cinematography are pure twenty-first century. Though it's a 100% melodrama story- line, the style is low-key and on the naturalistic side. It's never overwrought.

So Ji-Sub is a favorite of mine from seeing him in K-drama "The Master's Sun." Here he plays a very different kind of man, but with equal skill and charisma. His character barely talks, but still feels three-dimensional. Han Hyo-Joo is excellent and her character is refreshingly outgoing despite her disability.

I had to close my eyes for about 5 minutes when things got violent, but that was inevitable given that So Ji-Sub plays a fighter. If I have any complaints, it's that I wanted to know so much more about the characters, and the denouement is on the quick side. I still have questions. But the emotional aspects of the story were handled perfectly.

If you haven't started watching the good Korean stuff yet, you should. It's worth the subtitles.
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7/10
Have you ever watched City Lights?
SaikyouS8 November 2021
If you have then you will see many identical plot points in this movie.

It felt like they took out half of the "City Lights" plot then add some Korean drama twist and turn to make this movie.

Still, "Alway" is not a bad movie, in my opinion, it's quite enjoyable. It just doesn't offer anything new.
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5/10
A bollywood movie made in Korea
smousavi053 March 2021
Good effort from both cast an crews. Nice acting by the leading actress. However, the screenplay does have some significant weaknesses even if it was intended for less serious audiences.
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8/10
A Film That Poignantly Expresses the Importance of Love, and the Sacrifices Made to Hold onto it
totalovrdose6 April 2015
Always is a film that brilliantly captures the ironies and coincidences that life happens to offer, and because of this, could be accused of being structured in such a way as to deliberately push the plot in a particular direction. With this in mind, the feature never feels forced or out of place, and even though, by the conclusion, the film begins to pick up pace, as though hurriedly making its way towards the end, again, the climax and final segments are unhindered, and fit fantastically with the rest of the movie.

Occasionally, moreover, the conversations can be predictable, however this adds to the overall beauty of the production, the plot being as logical and understandable as it is fluent and engaging. So Ji-Sub is outstanding as Cheol-Min, a former boxer with a dark past, who is attempting to atone. His awkwardness in social situations is emphasized in his dialogue, sometimes conveying a hurtful comment to hide the honesty beneath. Han Hyo-Joo is equally superb as Jung-Hwa, a young office worker on the verge of completing losing her sight. Although the way she lost her vision is similar to Min Soo-Ah in Blind, I felt a greater degree of sympathy towards Soo-Ah, whereas Jung-Hwa seems to find solace in her condition, and though her life is immeasurably difficult, she appears to acclimatise more efficiently.

Despite Cheol-Min's attempts to rid his world of violence, it is this that eventually helps bring he and Jung-Hwa together, and at the same time, has the capacity to irreversibly tear them apart. Acquiring a job as a parking attendant, Cheol-Min replaces the worker that Jung-Hwa used to converse with. She appears one evening, to talk to her friend, and is surprised to meet a new individual, yet continues to stop by every evening to watch a soap opera.

Cheol-Min finds himself deliberately adjusting his appearance and life to accommodate Jung-Hwa, who he forms an attachment to, wanting to keep her safe from those who would use her condition to take advantage of her. Ironically, at the same time, he is unable to identify those who attempt to do the same to him.

The leads are incredibly likable over the course of the feature, their relationship being as passionate and sweet, as it is enjoyable to watch. At the same time, those who portray antagonistic individuals effectively create characters who are intensely loathsome from the moment they appear on screen, Min Tae-Sik (Yoon Jong-Hwa) being one such character who is as egotistical as he is villainous. Not long after severely beating Jung-Hwa's boss, Choi (Cho Seong-Ha), after he attempts to sexually assault her, Cheol-Min and Jung-Hwa move in together.

However, the expenses that are required to maintain their existence forces Cheol-Min to orbit back towards his former occupation, and though his love for Jung-Hwa is undeniable, represented by the sacrifices he is willing to make, the immoral, unsafe actions inevitably lead towards moments, as unavoidable as they are inescapable, which could ruin everything.

Though I will not deny the brilliance, not to mention the beauty, which encapsulates the characters and plot, as previously accentuated in a number of other reviews, I personally was disappointed that I didn't find the movie to be as terribly sad as I had initially imagined it to be. This aside, Always is a feature which delves into the reasons as to why we love, and why we are willing to go to such extraordinary lengths to maintain our romantic attachments. In this sense, the film is easy to relate towards, and even when shifting into intensely dramatic, and tragic instances, the feature never loses its capacity to keep the audience vested.
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10/10
Better than average romance drama
beronginigo29 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Always" is just a little bit superior to your regular Asian romance film; on watching the movie, one marvels at the subtle nuances, the low-key expressiveness of the actors. In the hands of an inferior director, the script would have deteriorated into run of the mill mush but Mr. Song Il-gon covers all bases perfectly. I would like to shake this guy's hand personally and thank him for creating this masterpiece.

The climax is definitely Jung-hwa's breakdown (near the underpass); to say this scene is one of the most moving pieces of cinema is an understatement. If I was an Oscar jury member, I would hand Han Hyo-joo a Best Actress trophy pronto. That type of unbridled emotion takes a lot of guts and balls to pull off. So Ji-sub is excellent as the hardened ex-boxer, Jang Marcelino/Chul-min. The support cast is also commendable for their individual performances.

I'd like to ask a question though: how come Jung-Hwa never figured out Chul-min's face/identity after regaining her sight? She could've done a little investigation; the guy used to be a local boxing champion, surely there's a photo lying around somewhere. In spite of this minor foible in the plot, the superb acting of the cast and the masterful direction of Song Il-gon elevates this from the usual mass of rom-coms and romance dramas. It is such a shame that this was under-appreciated at the box office. "Always" is that rare gem and a definite classic of film drama.
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10/10
Highly Recommened
elmerjohn4 January 2018
My first time to make a review here. I just register to rate it 10/10 and invite everyone to watch this movie. I've watched several Korean movies this month land i just love how Koreans make a movie that gives an impact emotionally and how they make a wonderful story, not to mention their superb acting. This move is one of the best, it just stirs your emotion and the movie will linger on your thoughts for some time. Love and sacrifice is what it is. When you love someone, you will go into the depths of sacrifices if needed. Highly recommended. You will not regret watching it!
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10/10
This movie inspires people to grow and become better, somebody calls it love...
maksymfrost16 June 2019
I was astonished by the girl protagonist of this movie by her strength of spirit and her optimism. Regardless of her blindness and the loss of the parents she smiles like a warm beams of the sun and gives light everyone around her. And each even little thing in your life she tries to transmute into joy. But watching the movie you start to notice that deep down she is a very delicate and sensitive person who tries to be strong outside. I think that she was waiting for her soul mate and when he appears in her life she even being blind at once recognized him. At first sight their union seems unbelievable, he's kind of rude and almost always silent boxer and she's a very intelligent and educated girl. But actually it's only at first sight... because really his rudeness is only a mask and coverage of his deep soul. This movie has real energy of light which inspires people to grow and become better, somebody calls it love... and I'm sure that it's the most important purpose of our life...
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9/10
love it.
naazanin19 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I love the movie. I have seen it several times and still like it.

The best in the movie is character structure. The characters are well made. They are believable and make sense during their dramatic decisions in loyalty, fight, love and sacrifice.Here are the characters:

The guy has a damaged soul resulted to his seclusion from society, deep guilt and feeling worthless because of his dark past and a special crime; his last one. Here is the point that a blind girl comes into his life accidentally. She has many problems in her work, her financial status and even her day-to-day things; however, she is easygoing, spirited and dealing with problems having a smile on his face. She turned on his dark life by music, laugh, deep passion and care for each other. Here is the point that their path revealed. The guy understand how he was engaged in making her blind above all his crimes. He went into huge sacrifice to pay for her eye operation costs. The operation went successful and she paid him back by her loyalty towards him though they lost each other. Actually the boy left her to avoid disturbing her.

The story has extreme points a bit unbelievable to me. Like how the boy was the one who distract her from her driving and caused her blindness and her parents death. None of them knew this before meeting each other. Or how she traced him by chance and good guess. Besides from that, I applaud for the way these two characters are developed in the movie. The orphanage, lonely and guilty boy find passion, forgiveness and comfort in arms of a woman with great issues who care about people, animals and life beauties against her serious issues.

The acting works well. I felt tears at the end of the movie, when his voice cracked in his chest since he cannot cry due to huge pain he experienced. However, we feel hopeful that he can overcome his problems by being help by his lovable woman. Isn't it inspiring? :)

It really inspires you to feel life. And to believe that such pure loves are possible. And you can make it! It is how the magic of a good drama should work; I think.
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5/10
If you like Hallmark movies..
vanessakelly9910 September 2020
The Asian equivalent of a Hallmark movie. Not particularly well acted. Predictable plot.
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10/10
Exquisite performance
brian-678148 April 2017
This movie was insanely heart touching, the scenarios were acted out so good that my hands were trembling in life changing scenes. I felt that the characters were perfectly portrayed, as one gets closer to another, a spark ignites between them making them courageous and grave for each other, extremely touching. Very proud that I saw this one.
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10/10
finding a romantic movie?this ones for u
emaenul23 March 2016
aah..this is the first Korean movie I've ever seen(will see some other in future)..so to be frank,i didn't liked the trailer or cut scenes at first..the thing that made me interested into it that a remake is about to release of it in bollywood(Do lafzon ki kahani)

so watched the movie & i got into it so much that crying(1st it seemed horrible in the trailer) also became overwhelming..so recommending it..good one there

a simple love story..the starting plot will attract viewers of course..and soon it thickens..emotional,some comedies,fighting-its just a mashup
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9/10
Great acting and I was in tears
HappieYogurt7 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I usually don't write review for romantic or soapy movies but I have to give credit to both Ji-seob So and Hyo-joo Han. It started slow and the romance built up and I made couple of assumption that the hero will save the girl and live happily ever after but there is slight suspense. He has seen her but she was blind and don't know how he looks like it and the search make it interesting and give me tears. I wish there was more searching at the end but it was easy find we did get the happy ending for romanic movie. Brilliant love story that captivate and keep me watching till end with some tears . I wish there we more after they met and how they both recover. Good movie and highly and it is in my top rated romantic Korean movies EVER
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10/10
TEAR JERKER
sueharriz2 March 2019
Mind you,i dont always give a rating 10/10 to just any movie,but this one truly deserves it. also, i find it hard to cry while watching a movie,but this one made me cry almost 5 times,..such a BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING storyline...
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10/10
Emotional, Tears will flow!
ifoundfelix10 March 2020
I loved it. Ever seen a grown man (Retired Marine) cry. Brace yourselves for a good film.
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