Journal of Korean Melodrama A Moment to Remember(2004) - Movie Review Example

Remember Number] A Moment to Remember Korean melodrama is a common genre for Korean films. This genre drew from and theatrical and narrative forms and adapted from traditional folk tales. Hollywood films and Japanese theatricals were also influences on this genre. Melodrama originally comes from the word melos in Greek which means music. In Korean melodramas, the characteristic of music is changed with the seductive and throbbing tunes. About 70% of the Korean films are classified as melodramas because they portray the parts of society that are neglected and exaggerate the feelings to ignite empathy in the viewer (Kim 5).

A Moment to Remember (2004) is a typical Korean melodrama which is a beautiful romantic story with a heartbreaking view of love. Many may believe that A Moment to Remember is one of those typical love stories where the couple falls in love and eventually one of them gets terminally ill. This film was, however, one of those but the difference was that the girl was struck by Alzheimer’s disease. The film shows the series of forgetfulness suffered by the girl and how it leads to frustration and pain for the boy.

The male lead is played by Chul Soo and the female lead is played by Su-Jin. This film gives thought to the views about the most important part of life. Some believe wealth and power are the most important while others say love and friendship. This movie rather portrays a simple view that our experiences are the most important part of us as they make us who we are. The movie teaches an important lesson about the significance of treasuring memories as they are the only thing we actually own. There are many other touching moments in the movie.

One of them is the act and importance of forgiveness shown when Chul Soo is trying to forgive his mother for abandoning him when he was a child. Even though the movie is about the couple, it gives certain important messages such as being able to forgive is a gift. The movie then shows some really sweet and cute moments between the couple as they are torn apart by life. The story turns out to be painful and tragic as Su-Jin loses her memory. Death is common in melodramatic movies but this movie has pain and tragedy that is portrayed and acted very well.

Thus, this movie clearly consists of all the elements that make it a good melodramatic movie. Melodramatic movies may commonly have five characteristics that are observed in this movie as well. The first is that it begins and ends with innocence. Secondly, the movie recognizes the virtue of the heroes and focuses on the victim. Thirdly, melodrama appears to be influenced by realism. Fourthly, it includes a dialect of action and passion. Lastly, it presents the characters in their primary psychic roles in conflicts between good and bad (Dissanayake 7).

However, A Moment to Remember is a typical Korean melodrama with a romantic story full of tragedy. Many aspects of the film portray the features of typical Korean dramas and romantic stories. The exceptional acting, the Alzheimer’s disease, the symbolism, and the important aspects of life shown make this movie worth watching. Work CitedDissanayake Wimal. Melodrama and Asian Cinema. USA: Cambridge University Press, 1993Kim Jinhee. Korean Drama Under Japanese Occupation. NJ: Homa & Sekey Books, 2004A Moment to Remember. John H. Lee.

Korea: Cha Seung-jae, 2004