Mother-daughter pair Park Jin-hee & Kim Hae-sook
by javabeans
Park Jin-hee and Kim Hae-sook have teamed up to play a mother and daughter in the movie My Mom [친정엄마], which opens this week. This continues the trend of mom-and-daughter-themed movies that have been popping up in the past year, such as Aeja (with Choi Kang-hee and Kim Young-ae), Harmony (Kim Yun-jin and Na Mun-hee), and Wedding Dress (Song Yoon-ah, Kim Hyang-gi). And, of course, there was also Kim Hye-ja and Won Bin as mother and son in the lauded thriller Mother.
Plot-wise My Mom seems to most resemble last year’s Wedding Dress, although it doesn’t seem as blatantly tearjerking. (Wedding Dress featured Song Yoon-ah as a single mother with a young daughter who finds out she’s dying, and was marketed as a weepie.) The tone from My Mom‘s preview (watch below) mixes a healthy dose of comedy with heartfelt drama, though I’m betting that includes its share of tears. (In fact, I’m positive it will, since the trailer totally made me cry.)
In My Mom, “Korea’s Mother” Kim Hae-sook plays the coarse, loud mother to Ji-sook (Park Jin-hee), and dotes on her daughter, of whom she is exceedingly proud. Ji-sook loves her mother dearly but also finds her exasperating at times, though she starts to understand her as she also becomes a mother to a young daughter. She grew up rather poor, but went to university in Seoul and fell in love with a man whose family opposed the match. Mom swallowed her pride and begged the groom’s parents to win their approval, and the couple were able to marry.
One day, Ji-sook comes to her mother’s house unannounced and plays the part of a devoted daughter, and the change in her behavior makes Mom uneasy. They embark on the first two-night, three-day trip of their 34 years together to watch the autumn leaves changing color. Upon close questioning of Ji-sook’s husband, Mom learns that her daughter is in the last phases of cancer. (I know, I know! Why does Korea keep doing this to us?? Korea needs to give its fascination with cancer a rest, and so does Nicholas Sparks.)
Despite the tears, I think I’d love this just for the engaging, bubbly bond between mother and daughter. Kim Hae-sook is always wonderful, and Park Jin-hee looks like she has great chemistry with her.
My Mom is based on a very popular play from last year, Two Nights and Three Days with My Mom. The film releases on Thursday, April 22.
Via Asia Economy, Segye
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Tags: Kim Hae-sook, Park Jin-hee
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1 taffy
April 21, 2010 at 2:03 PM
wow. i dont understand korean, but after knowing what the plot was, I totally cried during the trailer just now too. so often we dont appreciate our mothers and what they do for us, just writing them off as exasperating and annoying...
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2 jusash
April 21, 2010 at 2:09 PM
>>>> Mom learns that her daughter is in the last phases of cancer. (I know, I know! Why does Korea keep doing this to us?? Korea needs to give its fascination with cancer a restMom learns that her daughter is in the last phases of cancer. (I know, I know! Why does Korea keep doing this to us?? Korea needs to give its fascination with cancer a rest
JB: a week ago, i 'd perhaps have said the same. some months ago, i learnt someone I knew well (a young mother of 3) from long ago had Stage 4 cancer. she is only 37, 38 or so, at most. a very successful woman. a filial daughter, a doting hands-on mom and supportive wife; and juggling a list of successful career achievements behind her to boot. super-woman.
someone i really respected and admired because she was mature and grounded way beyond her 20-something years, when we were still in touch. since I heard about her 'recent' illness from another source, i had no idea how she had really been.
stumbled upon her Facebook page and blog some days ago ... and the flood of tears came on non-stop. my heart remains very heavy whenever i think of her. especially upon reading her thoughts on the young children she will be leaving behind, the parents she is such a good daughter to.
it's been a much longer journey and very hard fought battle; and she is coping with so much optimistic fortitude to the cruel roller-coaster ride and her prognosis, and being an super-exemplary role model to her children.
Cancer may be over-wrought K-melodramatic, but it can also be very very real for too many people. Jang Jin Young (among 3 others I know) is another stoic soul who comes to mind.
Sorry to digress.
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3 Audi
April 21, 2010 at 2:11 PM
I was wondering how someone could cry just because of a 2min clip, until I watched it and had to wipe the tears from my eyes. Gosh this looks good.
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4 Ladymoonstone143
April 21, 2010 at 2:29 PM
My tears are literally falling. My mom is far away from me and I miss her so. Having children of my own, this just hit close to home because this scenario is what I feared most. I have my well health check up tomorrow and I really think am so healthy but I better be sure. Thanks for this Javabeans...
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5 mie
April 21, 2010 at 2:35 PM
The trailer made me cry. I'm sold. Watching this with my mom when it comes out.
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6 cathy
April 21, 2010 at 3:41 PM
agree , K drama is always fascinating with cancer , car accident , brain tumor ...then
dying for first love , turn to psychotic for unhappy past , living in the past , not in the present . feel sorry for themselves for the past mistake , carrying somebody else garbage .... can they change topic , more realistic , more inspiring , more meaning , more interesting .
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7 Lilian
April 21, 2010 at 4:32 PM
The illnesses are over used but it still hits the heart.
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8 Rain
April 21, 2010 at 4:44 PM
Wow they really look like mother and daughter, not just the chemistry but the looks as well in the first picture O.O.
& yes I cried too ):
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9 Isabella
April 21, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Couldn't help my tears :( The two actresses are so great!
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10 kaedejun
April 21, 2010 at 5:42 PM
wow - i loved the chemistry between the two!! as so many have said before...
i also liked being able to see kim hae sook play the not-so-elegant mother. usually she has this prim and/or gentle image, and i enjoy seeing her being more loudmouthed and irritating, like a REAL mother.
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11 RunLolaRun
April 21, 2010 at 5:44 PM
I was interested in this because of the two lead actresses until I saw the word 'cancer' involved. Have had too many cancer scares with loved ones in real life that anything that has to do with cancer makes my stomach churn. I'll just look forward to watching PJH in Giant and continue watching Kim Hae sook in Life is Beautiful.
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12 Anon
April 21, 2010 at 6:17 PM
LOL I love Kim Hae-sook as the loud mouthed mother too! Seen her in Oh Pil Seung & Bong Soon Young and Good Job as one.
She is indeed Korea's Mother. lol. I always see her as the mother of Hallyu stars. She's a very good actress. *thumbs up*
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13 Auntiemame
April 21, 2010 at 6:27 PM
She's lucky that she was able to have the 3 days, 2 nights trip with her mom.
Some of us never got the chance...
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14 joonni
April 21, 2010 at 6:29 PM
I totally cried too because the whole setup in the beginning portrayed so well the relationship between a mother and daughter that is full of love and hate.
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15 liz
April 21, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Dang, this reminds me of the time I made my mom watch Joy Luck Club with me. Moms and daughters - bawling time.
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16 sam
April 21, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Like everyone else... I totally cried watching this 2 min short video. Being a mom and a daughter, I totally understand both. Like Auntie Mame said "at least she had 3 days , 2 nights" with her mom. Sometimes, the people we love is not here any more in a blink of an eye.
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17 Porcelain
April 21, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Totally cried... mwah... I like the chemistry... Kim Hae Sook... I love strong mature roles she takes and Park Jin Hee is really effective here too... and its just a trailer but I am sold...
Watch this earlier to check out some OST...
But somehow reminds me of Tokyo Tower(Odagiri Jo FTW!) from a woman's perspective and the one with cancer is the child instead of the mom... Maybe its the changing leaves color that make it seems similar...
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18 pv
April 21, 2010 at 9:02 PM
i really want to see this now. losing a love one is heart breaking, i should know. i love you mom, your my hero. Shine your light on me. (:
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19 slim
April 21, 2010 at 9:06 PM
any story with mom in it makes me cry....sniff..this looks really good..
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20 meixin
April 21, 2010 at 10:04 PM
i watched the trailer 3 times, and i cried 3 times, i want to watch this!!!
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21 chajjye
April 21, 2010 at 10:22 PM
i'm not watching the trailer. cause i ain't crying. not at work. :P
i love kim hae sook. i think she's the most versatile actress. she can act brash, evil, kind, gentle. LOVE.
Korea's Mom indeed! :D
But dang, I'm curious. *clickety-click
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22 chajjye
April 21, 2010 at 10:25 PM
watched.
even if i don't understand korean, this makes me want to cry already.
MUST WATCH! <3
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23 pabo ceo reom
April 21, 2010 at 10:42 PM
I teared. DAMMIT. Stop manipulating me korean movies!
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24 cingdoc
April 21, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Having just finished watching Still marry me,I really love the actress PJH(Lee Shing Young). I'm actually looking forward to see this movie. The trailer and your write up,JB, really peak my interest.
Yes,I,too, am tired of the old cancer-we have to bond better-plot line,but if the movie is just as well made as the trailer,then I'm sold. I hope to join this mother /daughter as they relive their 34 years of relationship; I'm sure there will be moments of conflicts and joy.
I love the fact that the director chooses the two sharing the Fall's foliage-both beautiful and sad: ending of life (the leaves fall as they go into dormant stage),but yet the changes of the leaves also bring out spectacular colors of the trees(perhaps the movie will show the strength of the 2 women as they battle the cancer together)....As a mother and a daughter,I really can't wait to see this...
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25 Gloria
April 22, 2010 at 12:03 AM
@2: I don't think JB meant it in a negative manner. It's just that Korea (though it got better) definitely has a habit of bringing cancer into movie and drama plots. And often, they're not to explore the troubles and hardships of cancer; it's almost like it's just for the sake of being sad. Also, the plot has been used so much that it's now become cliche and tired, especially because not many dramas actually explore it in a new way.
That being said, the trailer looks really good :) Even if it's a cancer story, if it's well down, I'm willing! :D
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26 Anon
April 22, 2010 at 3:49 AM
Returned again.
Watched the trailer. Made me cry. I just love Kim Hae-sook.
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27 epyc
April 22, 2010 at 5:36 AM
@ 13 AuntieMame
"She’s lucky that she was able to have the 3 days, 2 nights trip with her mom.
Some of us never got the chance…"
Your words totally tear me up. One of the biggest regrets in my life is exactly that. I always thought "I'd do it with my mom one day when I am free" but life is not something we can plan. Treasure your love ones when you can before it is too late.
I will definitely watch out for this movie, especially when I love both Kim Hae-sook and Park Jin-hee.
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28 itsjustme
April 22, 2010 at 5:44 AM
Okay I don't understand Korean but I totally cried watching that trailer. It's my Mom's birthday today and she's halfway across the continent. It's her first birthday that I am not there celebrating with her. AHHHH getting homesick now =(
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29 Balletgoddess
April 22, 2010 at 9:56 AM
LOL at your comment : I know, I know! Why does Korea keep doing this to us?? Korea needs to give its fascination with cancer a rest, and so does Nicholas Sparks
Think this movie would be PERFECT to watch with your mom especially since Mother's Day is around the corner!!!
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