Family Ties (film)
Encyclopedia
Family Ties is the second film by South Korea
n director Kim Tae-Yong
, known for his debut Memento Mori
. Mismarketed as a slapstick comedy through its promotional posters, the film is actually a generation-to-generation view of two families through love and life.
In part one, restaurateur Mi-ra (Moon So-ri
) is satisfied with her ordered, if solitary, life until her ex-con brother Hyung-chul (Uhm Tae-woong) suddenly appears with his much older new wife Mu-shin (Go Doo-shim) in tow. Mi-ra reluctantly allows them to stay a time with her at the family home, but friction builds over a short time and with the unexpected arrival of Mu-shin's young stepdaughter Chae-hyun, the three adults quickly reach a breaking point.
Part two concerns a young working woman Sun-kyung (Gong Hyo-jin) and her relationship with her estranged mother (Kim Hye-ok). Sun-kyung's resentment toward her mother is exacerbated by an affair the latter is having with a married man. Sun-kyung diligently tries to find employment in Japan, but once her mother dies of cancer, she must care for her young half-brother Gyeong-seok and abandon her repatriation.
Part three brings together the first two story lines with the relationship of Chae-hyun (Jung Yoo Mi
) and Gyeong-suk (Bong Tae-gyu
) some years later. Gyeong-suk, now a college student, is extremely jealous of Chae-hyun's openness to other men in her life and their compatibility is tested as a result of what he considers her "easy" behavior [her promiscuity is neither confirmed or denied]. The action of the film ends with Gyeong-suk accepted by Chae-hyun's adopted family from part one.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n director Kim Tae-Yong
Kim Tae-Yong
Kim Tae-Yong is a South Korean film director, actor and scriptwriter. He is best known for co-directing the critically acclaimed horror film, Memento Mori and directing the award winning film Family Ties .- Personal life :...
, known for his debut Memento Mori
Memento Mori (film)
Memento Mori is a 1999 South Korean K-Horror film. It is considered to be a loose sequel to the previous year's Whispering Corridors, as it is also set in an all-girls high school, but they are otherwise unrelated. The film was one of the first Korean commercial films to depict lesbian characters...
. Mismarketed as a slapstick comedy through its promotional posters, the film is actually a generation-to-generation view of two families through love and life.
Synopsis
The film is divided into three different 'family' portraits. The first two take place at roughly the same time.In part one, restaurateur Mi-ra (Moon So-ri
Moon So-ri
- Career :Moon So-ri appeared in plays and short films such as Black Cut and To the Spring Mountain before finding fame as a leading actress. Her first film role was in Lee Chang-dong's acclaimed Peppermint Candy, however her acting skills were not really showcased until she appeared in her second...
) is satisfied with her ordered, if solitary, life until her ex-con brother Hyung-chul (Uhm Tae-woong) suddenly appears with his much older new wife Mu-shin (Go Doo-shim) in tow. Mi-ra reluctantly allows them to stay a time with her at the family home, but friction builds over a short time and with the unexpected arrival of Mu-shin's young stepdaughter Chae-hyun, the three adults quickly reach a breaking point.
Part two concerns a young working woman Sun-kyung (Gong Hyo-jin) and her relationship with her estranged mother (Kim Hye-ok). Sun-kyung's resentment toward her mother is exacerbated by an affair the latter is having with a married man. Sun-kyung diligently tries to find employment in Japan, but once her mother dies of cancer, she must care for her young half-brother Gyeong-seok and abandon her repatriation.
Part three brings together the first two story lines with the relationship of Chae-hyun (Jung Yoo Mi
Jung Yoo Mi
Jung Yoo Mi is a South Korean actress.-Movies:*In Between *Tell Her I Love Her *A Girl *Identification of a Man...
) and Gyeong-suk (Bong Tae-gyu
Bong Tae-gyu
- Filmography :- External links :...
) some years later. Gyeong-suk, now a college student, is extremely jealous of Chae-hyun's openness to other men in her life and their compatibility is tested as a result of what he considers her "easy" behavior [her promiscuity is neither confirmed or denied]. The action of the film ends with Gyeong-suk accepted by Chae-hyun's adopted family from part one.
External links
- Review at koreanfilm.org
- Overview at All Movie
- The Birth of a Family at Han Cinema