Wow! Such a good movie.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Bungee Jumping of their Own is the debut directorial effort by Kim Daeseung and after watching his other works, I have to say that certain things run through his films. The most prominent is that he has a strong fondness for flashback revelation. Now I could pin this on the writers, but his other two films also have a lot of flashback revelations and two-story elements that it's hard to ignore the connection between the films. The other notable thing is that all of his films boast great photography. Now, Bungee Jumping has a lot going for it, but it doesn't sit well with me because of its themes.The story is divided in two parts, the first in 1983 as we witness the development of a relationship between two college students. The second part is set in 2000 and, for whatever reason, the male protagonist is now a teacher, no longer with his then-girlfriend. The strange thing is that he finds himself noticing similarities between a young male student of his and his previous girlfriend. Unfortunately, to keep writing about this film, I will have to go into spoilers, so skip to the last paragraph for the recap if you don't want to see them.The story isn't actually a mystery, because the conflict has little to do with the fact that the young male student is so similar to his previous girlfriend, but rather how he can accept his feelings for a young male student. The conflict is internal angst within himself as he struggles with his identity as well as the greater struggle with both the student as well as the lines he cannot cross as a teacher (and husband/father as well). The structure of the storytelling is simple. It elides information at times but you can sort of fill in the blanks and so I felt that many of the flashbacks were a little redundant, but I guess in retrospect, they help fill a thematic space via repetition between present and past. Ultimately, the buildup works as it should in a film, leading to a climax and payoff.But, while I went through the expected emotions when watching a decent film, something really ate at me while watching the film and it wasn't the homosexual tensions, but that the underlying ideology, or perhaps lack thereof, of the film's theme really rubbed me the wrong way. Essentially, the film is a self-pitying tragic ode to "The One" theory of love with reincarnation and gender swaps thrown into the mix. Both main characters "know" that they are to be together and are torn apart by the circumstantial death of the woman. The conflict that happens later when she is reborn as a male is mostly internal and dealing with identity issues. This might be fine for those who believe is the "love the soul" concept that floats among some LGBT folk, but it doesn't even serve that audience because the two commit suicide in the end in order to reincarnate in more favorable heterosexual relationship. It's a "woe is me" tale of destined love separated by... destiny! Now, I have a problem with "The One" theory, in that there's just one person out there for everyone, but at the same time, I can watch a good movie with that as an underpinning ideology and be okay with it. The problem here is that Bungee Jumping is so wishy-washy about it all, disservicing the queer community that it, on surface, seems to be trying to relate, but also is inherently selfish in its ideology. The protagonist causes massive amounts of pain to his students, his wife (and presumably his daughter) and then runs away with the boy to commit suicide with no regard for the consequence on those around them. In a story about love, seeing such a thing isn't so much tragic, as the circumstances weren't something they could overcome or failed trying to overcome, but rather, they just escape with no consideration of who it might affect. And with such a terribly hypocritical undercurrent, it's hard to find myself liking this movie on that level.That's not to say it's a bad film. It's actually very well crafted as far as a melodrama is concerned. It doesn't wallow in sentimentality, does a great job at presenting the romance and the resulting conflicts and is really great to look at. It builds up your emotions and lets you go just as a melodrama should. I certainly found myself drawn in and affected at the end. Technically, the film is more than proficient with solid performances by the leads (and a couple supporting characters lend a lot to the film as well), wonderful design and costuming. Beautiful photography. But, still, the problem at the thematic core really prohibits me from loving this film. I don't think everyone will see it as a flaw and the rest of the film is so well put together that I can't call it a failure. But, I can't say I loved this otherwise proficient and even risk-taking example of mainstream Corean melodrama. 7/10.

This film is about a young man falling in love with a girl he meets on the street. She then disappeared without a trace. 17 years later, he is convinced that his girl reincarnated as his male student.I did not know a thing about the film before I watched it, and I was completely blown away. The plot is amazingly well written. It is a very well told love story. The past and present are intertwined, and the past is revealed only when it is relevant to the present. The relationship between the young couple is well built, setting a great scene for subsequent developments.The second part of the film portrays a forbidden relationship. They face a lot of self doubt and pressure from others. It exemplifies how hard it is to live an alternative life. And to think In-woo is doing so because he "knows" Hyeon-bin is special makes me wonder what price people would pay to love, and to honour previous promises. The little signs that In-woo uses to make up his conclusion is well planned and well placed throughout the film. I was amazed by it, as every scene shows its significance later on in the film.Hyeon-bin and In-woo's relationship is a double taboo, and I congratulate the filmmakers for having the courage and determination to make this film. "Bungee Jumping of Their Own" is captivating and touching. It is like no other film. and I certainly recommend it.

Being a hopeless romantic, how can I not like this film? Many a young lady has shared my umbrella in a sudden downpour. But that's where the analogy ends. Bungee jumping is not for me.A Korean student offers the shelter of his umbrella to a young Korean girl and yes! it's love at first sight. Urged on by his school mates he takes the matter further and books into a hotel room. It's hilarious to watch but a calamity for the couple when he gets a bout of nervous hiccoughs!They promise to love each other forever. Even in death, he says he will find her again. He casts a spell on her. Whenever she thinks of him, her "little pinky" (little finger) will rise.The rest of the film takes a strange and original twist. What happens next many will not believe possible. I suppose we believe what we want to believe.Time passes and the student becomes a school teacher, a charming fellow but hiding his sorrow at the loss of his loved one. Never forgetting his promise of eternal love, he begins to imagine her spirit has entered the body of one of his students. He watches him incessantly, lovingly and one day he sees a definite clue. His "little pinky" stands up.The homosexual element of this film is delicately handled as the handsome teacher and student become lovers.The ending is beautiful as the lovers hand-in-hand fulfil the wishes of the young Korean girl whose goal in life was to go to New Zealand for a very special purpose.Yes, this is a film for romantic lovers. I am very sure of that.

A hot chick meets a cute guy at a bus stop, and they fall in love just like that. 17 years later, the cute guy is a teacher. Gradually, we learn more about what happened 17 years ago (thanks to some flashbacks), as events take a surprising turn in the present."Bungee Jumping Of Their Own" has to be one of the strangest movie titles of all time, and doesn't make the slightest bit of sense until the very end of the film. Extreme sports fans, I'm sorry to report than Bungee Jumping is *not* a major part of the film. Also, despite the sappy dvd cover that put me off watching the film for ages, it's not some kind of girly love story either. Yes, it is a love story, but a strange and interesting one.It's not often I stoop to watch a drama, especially a love story, but I'll generally make an exception for Korean films as they are so often very well done, with an intelligence and depth that you are unlikely to find in Hollywood or Hong Kong for instance. Bungee is no MY SASSY GIRL, but it's a fine piece of film-making. The production values are excellent - beautiful cinematography and soundtrack and well written script, but the big stand-out is the quality of the acting. I don't think I recognised any of the actors, but they all gave superb performances full of depth and emotion.I'm in a phase at the moment where I'm kind of bored of cinema - seen so many movies they all kind of blur together and few films leave lasting impressions. Bungee Jumping Of Their Own stands out because of the unexpected places it goes, the intelligence and the technical virtues, and will certainly stick in my mind for a while. I'd expected to put it up for trade once I'd seen it, but it's definitely a keeper Strongly recommended.