Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
My Destiny,
Written by
Jude Thaddeus Bautista
Han Ye Ri (Eun Hee): I feel like I’m living in a play recently. Ryo Iwase (Ryohei): Like today? Eun: Today too. Until now. Ryohei: You mean lying? Eun: Yes lying. It feels so real when I’m on stage. But when it’s over its not. Ryohei: So are you acting with me too? Eun: Maybe. I lie a lot. Its very hard to lie in English. (both laugh) Eun: Do you speak Japanese well? Say something in Japanese. Anything. Ryohei: What Japanese? Eun: I don’t know.
After a few moments of silence Ryohei starts to recite poetry in Japanese. Ryohei: (translated) Strolling along Lake Balkai in the day. Walking in the streets of Wuzhou by night. Having subdued the Green Snake bolsters my spirits so. Been in Yueyang thrice, unrecognized. Flying over Lake Dongting in the span of reciting one poem.
Although Eun did not understand a word, she applauds, exclaims ‘ Very good! Nice Voice!’
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
WORST WOMAN is a Korean movie currently being aired in RED by HBO. The movie stars Han Ye Ri as Eun Hee who recently made waves in Hollywood. Han Yeri is also in MINARI which won Best Supporting Actress (for Yon Yuh jung) at the Oscars while also being nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director among others.
MINARI cast Standing from left: Director Lee Isaac Chung, Han Ye-ri (Monica) and Steven Yeun (Jacob); Seated from left: Noel Cho (Anne), Alan S. Kim (David) and Youn Yuh-jung (Soonja) — Oscar Best Supporting Actress. Photo from Official Han Yeri fb https://www.facebook.com/saram.hanyeri
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Writer-Director Kim Jong Kwan; Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Written and directed by Kim Jong Kwan, WORST WOMAN is no slouch having won the FIPRESCI award during the Moscow International Film Fest in 2016. Kim’s latest film is JOSÉE (2020) with actress Han Ji Min and actor Nam Joo-hyuk. Han Ji Min was in PLAN MAN that I wrote about before, also aired in RED by HBO. IF you’re a Han Yeri fan or you want to see more of her, you may enjoy WORST WOMAN more than MINARI as she is the titular role.
Worst Woman trailer
It’s basically a series of conversations Eun Hee has with three different men. Not unlike the film BEFORE SUNRISE (1995) with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The difference, is how writer director Kim Jong Kwan made Eun Hee a stronger, more human and yet at the same time a relatable CENTRAL figure. Rather than just a tête-à-tête between two people who just met.
(left) WORST WOMAN POSTER (right) Tvn K-drama MY UNFAMILIAR FAMILY(2020). Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Yeri
Han is actually a stage name, her real name is Gim Yeri (김예리), but since she became famous in her TV and film career as Han Yeri, decided to stick with it. She majored in Traditional dance in Korea National University of Arts (KNUA). And it continues to be a strong passion of hers. She choreographed her own dance sequence for WORST WOMAN.
Han Yeri’s traditional Korean Dance in Argentina (5:15 Mark)
Yeri, is a woman of many talents having been a DJ and even sang in the MINARI soundtrack: RAIN SONG. Among her roles on TV is a tough cop, Oh Ha-Ra in SWITCH. Here, she makes it impossible not to fall in love with her as Eun Hee, having that sexy and girlish, innocent qualities even if she is far from it. Eun Hee is head strong, even devious at times when she is outed as being unfaithful.
How “Minari” actress Han Ye Ri transformed [The Nokdu Flower, Switch, Radio Star]
This is where we see the brilliance of writer director Kim Jong Kwan. He exposes the double standard society has with women. For men its ‘normal’ to have a side chick. While Eun Hee is seen as the WORST WOMAN, even if her boyfriend was also unfaithful. She is neither an angel or a devil. That’s just the way things really are. She is, dare I say it? Human.
from left: Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee), Chol Yu-hwa (Hyun Kyung) and Lee Hee-joon (Woon-chul); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Social Commentary
Kim Jong Kwan isn’t delivering his ‘message’ via a sermon. Sometimes the characters are the personification of the message. Like Eun Hee’s boyfriend Hyun Oh played by actor Kwon Yool. Eun Hee is a struggling theater actress who has a relationship with Hyun Oh, a rising TV star. He wears sunglasses, a hoodie and yes the now ubiquitous facemask (before the pandemic) when he meets with her at Namsan Park. He’s scared to death someone would recognize him in public. He’s far more concerned with his image than Eun Hee.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Chol Yu-hwa (Hyun Kyung); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Hyun Oh represents our own preoccupation with looks and fame. Makes one wonder WHY and HOW do we choose the people who become famous? Is it all based on looks and superficiality? If so, Hyun Oh is IT. On the other side of the coin is Ryohei played by Japanese actor Ryo Iwase. Eun Hee bumps into him on the street asking for directions.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Just Listen… and Read
What does a Korean woman and Japanese man who can’t speak each other’s language do to communicate? Speak English of course. Their own struggles and difficulties with it is a source of comedy for both of them. She finds out he’s a novelist on a book tour / visit in Seoul. Clearly, he’s a talented writer with something to say. And yet he finds out that his book hasn’t been selling. Finally Ryohei gets to his ‘meet and greet’ with his fans attended only by two middle aged women who haven’t read his book.
Watch out for Kim Joon Beom as the local book distributor. He’s like the sleazy agent trying to explain why there weren’t fans due to translation problems. He was making things up on the fly translating between Ryohei and his ‘fans’. Every scene with him is hilarious.
Kim Jong Kwan is giving a similar message as LOVE AND BUSKING. In that movie Bobby Choy is a talented musician, songwriter, performer. But is not as famous as say BTS or Blackpink, because he looks like a normal human being. Read my full review of LOVE AND BUSKING here.
Their message is if you go beyond looks or physical features and make an effort to just listen… and read into what they’re actually saying, there are so many talented artists, musicians and writers waiting to be discovered.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Writer-Director Kim Jong Kwan; Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Namsan Park
Just like the Hongdae District in Seoul was highlighted in LOVE AND BUSKING, Namsan Park became the location of the majority of the scenes in WORST WOMAN. Famous for a mountain: ‘Mongmyeoksan, or (목멱산 ) in the past, it is now commonly referred to as Mt. Namsan. The mount is also mentioned in South Korea’s National anthem.’
From: Namsan wiki page.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Lee Hee-joon (Woon-chul); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
The surrounding areas of the mountain is considered as Namsan Park. That’s where most of Eun Hee’s conversations take place, the heavily wooded pathways. After watching the movie you feel like you’ve been there. Director Kim was able to capture the essence of the place, even if it was all fictional. He was able to write and direct what feels like real people, having real conversations in a famously picturesque place.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO. (12)
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Lee Hee-joon (Woon-chul); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO. Photo from Official Han Yeri fb https://www.facebook.com/saram.hanyeri
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Chol Yu-hwa (Hyun Kyung); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri sang RAIN SONG for the MINARI soundtrack.
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Lee Hee-joon (Woon-chul); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO. Photo from Official Han Yeri fb https://www.facebook.com/saram.hanyeri
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Chol Yu-hwa (Hyun Kyung); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Lee Hee-joon (Woon-chul); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Lee Hee-joon (Woon-chul); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
from left: Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee), Kim Joon Bum (Korean Publisher / Agent) and Ryohei (Ryo Iwase); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee) and Ryo Iwase (Ryohei); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
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Han Ye-ri (Eun Hee); Watch Korean movie WORST WOMAN airing in RED by HBO.
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