One of my friends let me know about this film a year ago. Then I looked up the movie posters and watched the trailer. just from the poster, I could see this film was going to bring an emotional fueled ride to the viewer. I wanted to watch this film but I had to wait for a chance where I could purchase a copy of the DVD. I got my hands on a copy obviously or I won't be writing this post. The film is entitled One Way Trip or Glory Day if you can read the Korean title.
Glory Day also known as One Way Trip internationally was directed by Choi Jung- Yeol and includes the cast of Ji Soo, Suho of kpop idol group EXO, Ryu Jun Yeol, and Kim Hee Chan. The plot tells the story of four young teenage boy who are friends. They decide that the want to go on a trip together because of of the boys is going into the military soon so this may be the last time they have a chance to be together for awhile. During the trip, the boys come across a women who is being beaten by a man. The boys try to help the women and end up killing the man accidentally. Now they are wanted by the police and the women tells the police that the man never beat her and everything was the boys fault.
This film wasn't shot in any special kind of way. Probably because Glory day still counts as a more indie film than mainstream film. Director Choi Jung Yeol has never done much fancy camera shots when it comes to presenting his films. He mostly shows you the whole picture like the setting and the actors. His shots focus strictly on the actor's facial expressions for the emotional value. I find that many K-indie films focus more on human emotional expression and the emotions will to connect people to one another. While shots show you wants going on, you get more facial shots than anything else because of the films subject matter, Pure youth thrown into a situation where its forced to grow up really fast.
Plot development goes a little like this, show the result, then backtrack, then go back to the present time. You might find things a little confusing if you have a serious case of ADHD and can't focus on one thing too long. Paying attention to the build up in the beginning is very important. Here is where the film introduces the viewer to all the boys and you get a feel for each individual personality. This important information will hold you over to the next scenes as several new developments take place Simultaneously. The best part is that the viewer is like a fly on the wall as these boys friendship along with responsibility is put to the test. I could only sit back and gasp for the certain duration of the film . People do shocking things when they are pushed in a corner. Still very exciting to watch none the less.
Ji Soo performed very realistically as the boy who was the leader of their group. He starts off not knowing what he wants to do in life. Only moving along with the flow and taking his friends with him. Youth is a time of bliss but you have to remember that youth leads to growth as well. Some people aren't ready for the growth stage into adulthood while others brace themselves for the impact.(for example, going to college or working toward your dream.) The characters in this film also represent a fraction of a specific type of generation thats growing in South Korea. Korean culture sets a timeline for people's lives. Your expected to go to college, be married by a certain age, have children, and start a family. However, college isn't for everyone and marriage/children isn't for everyone. Each individual has their own ideas for how they want to live their life. None of the boys in Glory Days wanted to do the things they were taking apart of minus Ji soo's character. Their parents made them do those things because they felt like they were helping their sons have a good future. I don't care how much money you make form having a good job, if your doing something thats not making you happy then your not living a fulfilled life. More and more people in South Korea's younger generation are doing as they please with their lives. They don't always go to college or get married. They do whats the right fit for them. I also don't mean not going to college an an excuse because your lazy. College is a wonderful opportunity that should be taken if you want to go. Glory Day's main characters wanted some away time from the controlling life style so they took a trip. They then made a decision that seemed righteous at the time but changes their life has they knew it. Thats why I always say REALLY THINK about the result and reaction before you make a decision to do something. Once you make your decision, you don't get any repeats or rewinds. I know it can be hard to level your head out in the heat of the moment but people really need to think about themselves too. I don't step in people's drama or in the middle of fights because I know people get themselves hurt that way and I'm not coming home to my family in a body bag. None should have to go through with an experience like that. All the actors and actresses did a great job playing their roles to bring this film together. The appearance of Kim dong wan of Shinhwa as Ji Soo's character's big brother was a cool surprise too. He and Ji Soo had some really good scenes ripe with actor chemistry. This film really is an emotion driven experience that took all the actors and actress to hold their weight. Everyone had to have talent for Glory Day to be a successful film. Even Suho was on his A game.
My only complaint is that the film feels like it drags sometimes but the middle all the way to the end makes up for the waiting around you have to do. The time the film spends getting you involved with the characters sets the viewer up for the gut punch the plot gives you by the end of the film. We now, have another Korean film that I can said I relate to very much. Not the situation but being forced to grow up quickly because of unexpected life events. I'm sure we all been there at one time or another. Glory Days just wants to bring all of us together to let you know others have been there too.
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