It’s funny how I sometimes stumble on a movie that I wouldn’t otherwise have checked out on my own, simply because it’s available on in-flight entertainment and I’m something of a captive audience with limited options to choose from.
Beauty Inside was the movie whose trailer appealed to me the most today, out of the k-trailers that I checked out while on the plane, and I hafta say, it turned out to be a more thought-provoking watch than I’d originally expected.
While I’d seen a robust amount of buzz as this movie was making its way towards its premiere, the bit of viewer response that I happened to see after its premiere, was mostly of the generally underwhelmed variety. Most people seemed to feel that this movie was more hype than substance, and that there isn’t a whole lot of story to this show.
I can see where they’re coming from, really.
The movie’s premise is quirky but essentially pretty straightforward: Woo Jin wakes up as a different person everyday. He falls in love with Yi Soo (Han Hyo Joo). But how does one make a relationship work when one shows up – literally – a completely different person one day to the next?
The story is simple, but that didn’t simplify Woo Jin and Yi Soo’s problems, for me. Combined, their perspectives turn up so many themes that resonate with me on a universal level.
THE BUNDLE OF THEMES
From Woo Jin’s point-of-view:
1. The question of identity. Does our appearance correlate with who we are? Does my appearance influence / interfere with who I am? Just because I look different today, does that make me a different person than who I was yesterday?
2. The question of acceptance. This is something that all of us desire, really. To be accepted for who we are, regardless of what we look like. Sure, the movie amplifies this issue with its unusual premise, but that magnification brings the question into sharp, unrelenting focus, which I found useful.
…Which brings me to Yi Soo’s point-of-view:
1. Can we accept someone for who they are, regardless of what they look like on the outside? It’s a thought-provoking thing to examine ourselves and whether we would be able to love our significant others and loved ones the same, if they looked like completely different people.
2. The question of how much we’re affected by the opinions of the people around us. I always say that context is everything, but can we love someone regardless of popular opinion? How much does popular opinion count, when we consider what’s right for us, and what’s right, period? How strong is our love; can it withstand the weight of the surge of others’ opinions?
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Sure, the movie raises more questions than it answers, but this is one of those times where I find the questions themselves satisfying and meaty enough on their own. Our characters arrive at an answer that works for them; more importantly, the movie leaves me with a train of thought for me to explore, that will hopefully help me to arrive at an answer that works for me. That’s definitely engagement on a personal level, and I dig that.
Beyond the novelty of the multiple cameos and picking my favorite versions of Woo Jin from among the many actors who played him (Park Seo Joon! Yoo Yeon Suk!), and Han Hyo Joo’s sweet onscreen presence as Yi Soo, the intriguing themes raised in this movie continue to linger with me after the credits have stopped rolling.
A movie whose questions and themes continue to echo in my heart and mind, literally hours after I’ve finished the watch? That’s definitely Not Bad At All.
THE FINAL VERDICT:
Thought-provoking and bittersweet. With a little more emphasis on the sweet than bitter.
FINAL GRADE: B
TRAILER:
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I watched this sometime this month and it was such a quiet, slow movie. I usually prefer quicker-paced stories and plots, but I actually managed to sit through the whole thing! Haha I think it was really the message it wanted to bring across, that kept me interested throughout. I agree with you kfangurl – it was really the substance behind the creation of this movie that made it for me, too 😛 Thank you for the review!
Ah, I’m glad you managed to enjoy the movie, in spite of its quiet, contemplative pace!! It’s not my usual kind of movie (I don’t even know what that is, since I don’t watch that many movies these days!), but I really did like this one for how thought-provoking it turned out to be. ❤
I am glad that I did too! Beauty Inside is definitely not my kind of movie too (though there isn’t a genre I can use to aptly describe it) , lol no worries I sometimes randomly select movies to watch so ultimately I can end up catching any film! Yup, me too 😀
Thanks! I’ll definitely give it a peek the next time I find my self on a plane!
Hehe, I love the very specific window of opportunity you’ve given this movie to make an impression on you, webby! XD It’s definitely a solidly decent choice for in-flight entertainment, even if it’s not a movie you’d seek out. 🙂
Oooo I was really surprised by this movie too. I didn’t really check out the feed back after all the promotions ended and it came out. But PSJ was in it so I knew I was gonna watch it lolol.
This movie was all the things you said and you really distilled those questions perfectly. The furniture making setting reminded me a bit of Valid Love. In my opinion of shared that dreamy, sepia tinged feeling as well ( can you feel sepia?? Lol). won’t rewatch but it was enjoyable and a little different from the regular romance movie fare. It got me to like Han Hyo Joo more. Excellent review as per usual Kfangurl.
Oh yes, Park Seo Joon love can do that to ya! 🙂 I had his casting in mind, but because I knew there were lots of other actors playing the role, I thought of his appearance as more of a cameo and therefore didn’t seek this out too vigorously. Yay that he got a little more screen time than most of the others – I do love me some Park Seo Joon! <3 <3
Like you, I don't see myself rewatching this, but I enjoyed it very well. It definitely IS different from regular romance movies. I didn't see Valid Love, but I can see how the furniture-making and atmosphere might feel similar. They should've gotten Lee Soo Hyuk to play one of Woo Jin's faces – that would've been rather fun-trippy for Valid Love viewers! 😉
Same-I stumbled across the movie and decided to watch as a break from the longer commitment of a kdrama.
I thought it was wonderful for all the reasons you’ve listed. In fact, I would give it an A! (though that could be in reaction to the mindless fluff that makes up our movie-viewing here). For me the threadbare plot was balanced by the larger questions it asked.
It definitely stuck with me.
Ooh, high five, Mary! 😀 How cool, that we both stumbled on this show and ended up liking it! It definitely surprised me with the depth of the questions that it was raising, despite its very simple story.
I think I didn’t give it an A because I had a niggling feeling that there was more that the writers could’ve done.. Maybe give the story itself a little more meat, maybe explore Woo Jin’s relationship with Yi Soo more etc. And, even though the watch was a whimsical atmospheric sort of experience, I did feel a bit of drag at points. I still liked it very well though – a very solid, thoughtful watch that I’d recommend. 🙂
I am still in the first phases of K-LURV!! so I am hard pressed to find any fault with any show! FYI, I’ve recently discovered recaps so it’s a whole new world!! Now I’ll be able to find the answer to the age-old question……what the hell IS wrong with Sam Soon’s name?!
Like any worthwhile relationship, talk to me in 6 months, I bet I’ll be able to give you an earful of criticism!!
Ah, the early stages of k-love! That’s so much fun, since everything is new and shiny and oh-so-amazing! 😀 Indeed, recaps can be informative and illuminating. I don’t write any coz they are too big of a commitment for me, but I enjoy reading ’em. Enjoy your journey through k-land Mary!! And just in case your Sam Soon question is at all serious, it’s considered old-fashioned and not at all chic, sort of how the name Martha isn’t so popular. 😛
I actually hope you’ll be able to keep your fresh lens on for as long as possible.. I think there’s a fine line between having a discerning eye and being critical, and I personally think there’re too many folks who watch their dramas with an overly critical eye. Just my 2 cents! 😉