"You Are My Pet" Korean Movie Brief Description
(As borrowed from Asian Wiki) Eun-Yi (Kim Ha-Neul) works as an editor for a fashion magazine. She keeps failing in relationships with men, but doesn't get along with her colleagues. In-Ho (Jang Keun-Suk) was a promising ballet dancer. Two years ago he lifted a female dancer, but dropped her on accident. Because of this accident the woman was unable to dance any further and, now, In-Ho won't dance with women anymore. In-Ho now hopes to become a musical choreographer. Unfortunately for In-Ho, he doesn't have a place to stay. He goes to a bar where his friend Eun-Soo (Choi Jong-Hoon) works. Later that night, Eun-Soo takes In-Ho over to his older sister's house (fashion magazine editor Eun-Yi).
When Eun-Yi arrives at her home, she walks into the bathroom and sees someone brushing her teeth. As she walks by she pats him on his rear end, assuming the guy is her younger brother Eun-Soo. When the guy turns around she's shocked that it is a complete stranger. Eun-Soo then asks his older sister Eun-Yi if In-Ho can stay at her place temporarily, telling her that he's really good with household chores. Eun-Yi disapproves of the idea, but that night Eun-Soo accepts money from In-Ho to stay at her sister's place.
The next evening, on a rainy night, Eun-Yi walks home and finds a large blue box on front of her home. When she looks inside of the box she's shocked again to see the guy the from the other day, In-Ho, sitting in the box. Ji-Eun brings sopping wet In-Ho into her apartment, while she tries to contact her younger brother. Her younger brother doesn't answer her calls. Oddly enough, In-Ho reminds Eun-Yi of her former pet dog Momo. Eun-Yi then comes up with an arrangement. She will let In-Ho stay at her apartment if he will become her pet dog named Momo.
As they become more familiar and comfortable with each other, Eun-Yi's first love Cha Woo-Sung (Ryu Tae-Joon) comes to her office looking for her ...
You Are My Pet Korean Movie Review
To understand how I came to watch a Korean movie (as I don't usually), you'll have to understand a little personal history. I wasn't always so much into the Korean culture. In fact, up until a few years ago, I never fully separated North and South (Gasp). I ignorantly believed that South Korea was as limited and restricted as North Korea. (I was so very, very wrong!)
However, I was always into the Asian culture (in general) so I was often very drawn to Japan -- the animes and the mangas. I have read my fair share of Japanese mangas, including the popular "Kimi Wa Pet". While wondering if it was ever made into a TV show or movie, I stumbled upon, You Are My Pet, the Korean version. Luckily Amazon Prime had the movie available for streaming.
ACK!!
So, now, I get to mix one of my favorite Japanese mangas and my passionate love for South Korea. So what if it's a movie? I decided I would watch it. After all, I already know the story line so I more than likely wouldn't have too much trouble following along to the general premise of the movie.
Why I don't often watch Korean Movies
I find the pacing of dramas a lot easier to digest when I don't speak the language. Because the acting style, filming style, names, and locations are so different than American movies, sometimes I find myself clueless as to what is going on for a period of time. As such, it USUALLY takes me a few episodes to get into the dramas and understand who everyone is, how they are connected to each other, and what the hell is going on.
With movies, this pacing is skewed to fit an entire story line into an hour and a half to two hours, and sometimes I find myself more lost than anything.
It probably doesn't help that I am often multi-tasking while watching said Korean movies and dramas.
Oops.. What did they just say?? I missed that..
You Are My Pet has a variety of known titles. In the Manga world you may know it as "You Are My Pet / Kimi Wa Pet/ Tramps Like Us". Any title is acceptable. I would consider it in the "Josei" genre, geared more towards adult women as the characters are of adult age, with adult issues, and often more mature content.
You Are My Pet (manga) had its full share of mature issues, so I was curious as to how a more modest Korean culture would adapt to some of these topics - such as multi-gender living arrangements and sexual tension. Keep in mind that as modernized as Korea now is, they're much more modest than the U.S. when it comes to sexuality and relationships. (You may realize this while watching the very PG-rated kisses shown on the dramas). Japan is known to be kinky and crazy and their mangas usually reflect this.
The Actors & Actresses in You Are My Pet
Seriously, look at him, he's gorgeous. Plus he has that long beautiful hair that Momo had in the manga.
I originally know Jang Keun-Suk from the drama, Love Rain. So, I was quite happy with this casting choice. I thought it would be rather perfect.
The actress who plays Eun-Hi/Sumiere, Kim Ha-Neul, I don't have as much history with. She looked familiar, but looking at her filmography, there was nothing that stood out as to how I would know her. The only thing that looked familiar was the movie, My Tutor Friend. But I still couldn't place her, as I don't remember too much about that movie. I am not sure I even finished it, to be honest. Plus, I haven't seen any of the dramas listed.
It was good, though, that I didn't have a preconceived notion of both main actors. Maybe it would allow me to invest more into Kim Ha-Neul's character, Eun-hi.
Final Thoughts on You Are My Pet Korean Movie
Momo is supposed to be a professional ballet dancer. This is an important aspect of the entire story so I would assume that the actor who played Momo would have the same dancing ability. However, I felt that Jang Keun-Suk fell flat when it came to dancing. He looked awkward and forced, like maybe, dancing wasn't really his thing. They also never really showed him dancing much at all. Whenever Momo was expected to dance, they would break into a music sequence that was pop (not ballet). Even his normal dancing was iffy.
I also was not impressed by Jang's singing ability in this movie. In the drama Love Rain, it was beautiful and sweet. Where-is his music and singing in You Are My Pet was just not up to par, either. Could this be the mixing of the music itself or are Jang's vocals truly questionable?
I have no idea, but I was disappointed either way on those accounts.
The problem with You Are My Pet, is that the relationship between Momo and Sumiere (Manga) is so profound and complicated that it's hard to fully grasp and contain it in a single hour and a half movie.
I also don't think that Jang and Kim had enough chemistry to pull off such a strange relationship, although I think this was more Kim's issue with believability as Eun-hi/Sumiere. Even though Jang and Kim both play characters that are naturally complicated, I don't feel that the full extent of the relationship could really shine through.
Maybe in a few years they will try again by turning this into a drama. If they happen to do so, then I will definitely give it a try.
As for the overall rating of the movie, I would consider it average. It had its moments (such as the zany animated introduction to the movie) but often fell flat in delivery.
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