[Review] Chewing, Tasting, and Enjoying the Comedy 'Killing Romance'

Actors Lee Seon-gyun, Lee Ha-nui, Gong Myung Star in
'Namsayong' Directed by Director Lee Won-seok

'Killing Romance' stills
[Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

Do you remember Oh Jung-se running naked down the street? Director Lee Won-seok, who was ahead of his time with the film How to Use the Man (2013), returns with Killing Romance, a film bursting with vibrant individuality. It’s a movie that lifts your spirits with its fresh plot and explosive laughter. Will this delightfully charming film, which makes you laugh without a care, succeed in drawing audiences to theaters in April?

Opening on the 14th, Killing Romance begins with a grandmother reading a fairy tale. Yeorae (played by Lee Ha-nee), once a top star who fell from grace due to poor acting and quickly became a laughingstock, escapes reality by marrying chaebol Jonathan (played by Lee Sun-kyun) on the South Pacific’s Kwalla Island.

Years later, Yeorae and Jonathan come to Korea. Yeorae is excited about an offer to star in a musical film and plans to return to acting, but Jonathan blocks her activities. To Jonathan, Yeorae is merely a doll for business expansion. Yeorae can no longer tolerate Jonathan’s lack of respect and consideration as a spouse.

Then, by chance, Beom-woo (played by Gong Myung), a student retaking the college entrance exam for the fourth time, appears before Yeorae. Beom-woo, a third-generation member of Yeorae’s fan club “Yeorae-barae,” notices that married Yeorae is unhappy and offers to help her with anything. With pure intentions, Beom-woo rushes to support Yeorae. Together, Yeorae and Beom-woo join forces to defeat Jonathan.

Killing Romance is a movie that makes you laugh unconditionally. Branding itself as a “fairy tale for adults,” it is somewhat free from plausibility and unfolds with a simple structure. Packed with otherworldly humor, the film is consistently funny. Especially in several scenes, the laughter bursts out loud. Breaking away from the old comedy formulas used in conventional commercial films, its quick pace and clever setups make the audience laugh.

'Killing Romance' stills [Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

It seems destined to generate countless “jjal” (internet memes or images) online. The film is packed with humor that audiences can chew on, savor, and enjoy after its release.

Lee Sun-kyun’s transformation into comedy is also impressive. Shedding the heavy expressions seen in recent works like the film Parasite (2019) and the drama My Mister (2018), she deliberately makes the audience laugh. Her cavernous voice and masculine appearance are no obstacles. From Taekwondo to dancing and singing, from a mustache makeover to absurd gags, she delivers nonstop laughs.

After watching the film, H.O.T.’s “Happiness” and Rain’s “Rainism” linger in your ears. The cheerfully repetitive music, almost like a spell cast on the audience, acts as a lubricant that enhances the fun and lingering impression of the story.

Killing Romance is a film true to Lee Won-seok’s style. The director’s genius ideas and inventive humor combine to create a unique glow. It’s clear the director put a lot of thought into making the film accessible to the public. Although some scenes lose individuality due to choices made for mass appeal, the completed film is sufficiently charming.

The use of an ostrich is also striking. Lee Won-seok’s idea to use an animal that could have felt forced in a delightful way is intriguing. Even the ending, which shows traces of careful consideration, is distinctive. I hope we will continue to see many Korean films with such inventive attempts in theaters rather than just on home screens. Applause to all those who challenged themselves to complete this film. Running time: 107 minutes 20 seconds. Rated 15 and over. Opens April 14.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.