On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate (South Korea, 2002)

Actor Kyung Soo leaves Seoul to visit an old classmate. The reunion with his friend does not amount to much, but the trip does lead to some romantic encounters. He gets involved with two women, first a young college student whom he leaves without a moment's thought and then a woman whom he deems his fated partner. As Kyung Soo becomes increasingly invested in this second relationship, he begins to notice certain coincidences and similarities that recall past pairings, blurring his conception of exactly which woman, which relationship, he is so desperately holding on to.

Turning Gate is like a love story but without the love. Instead it's a more realistic take on what can happen when you fall head first for someone and it doesn't always go your way. It's pleasantly far from being just another sappy romance story you've seen a million times already.

Genre: Drama

A Girl at My Door (South Korea, 2014)

Young-nam was a promising graduate of the police academy before she was transferred to the small seaside village, which was caused by her misconduct. On her first day to the village, she encounters with Dohee who is the girl living in the town, seeming to have somewhat gloomy looking face. As Young-nam tries to accommodate with her new surroundings, an accident of Dohee's grandma getting killed by falling in the seashore cliff happens. As to protect the girl from her stepfather's abuse, Young-nam let Dohee stay at her place but things turn out to be more mysterious as she gets to know her.

A Girl at My Door features Doona Bae (Air Doll, The Host) in the main role as a cop who don't really know what to do when a young girl is constantly being beaten by her dad and shows up at her house afterwards. As most often, she gives a great performance. Not a movie that breaks any sort of formula or does anything new, but still a good film.

Genre: Drama

Doppelganger (Japan, 2003)

Hayasaki is an inventor working on an Artificial Body. It is not going well and he is stressed out and on the verge of being fired from the research division of his company. His doppelganger appears to help him out of the rut he has created for himself.

I saw Doppelganger a couple of years ago and it didn't impress me as much as when I recently re-watched. I think it's because I had soaring expectations due to the fact that it's directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Pulse, Cure), who's somewhat of a personal favorite. The concept of Doppelganger is fascinating and interesting, and Koji Yakusho (Shall We Dance?) gives a smashing performance as two completely different individuals.

Genre: Comedy/Thriller

Han Gong-ju (South Korea, 2013)

Han Gong-Ju is taken to a home in an unfamiliar area. The home belongs to her former high school teacher's mother. The mother wants to know why her son is leaving Han Gong-Ju there, even if he promises she will be there for only a week. An investigation is ongoing back in Han Gong-Ju's hometown. Can Han Gong-Ju escape from her past?

If you want to watch something cheerful and uplifting, look away now. Han Gong-ju is one hell of a tragic and bleak story which follows a girl who've experienced something awful and is trying to move on, but it's also very powerful and features some great performances. I strongly recommend it, but I hope you don't feel too horrible after watching it.

Genre: Drama