Haeundae (Haeundae) (2009) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

South Korea 2009
Director: Je-gyun Yun
Cast: Ji-won Ha, Kyung-gu Sol, Joong-Hoon Park, Jeong-hwa Eom, In-kwon Kim, Min-gi Lee, Ye-won Kang
Rating:
Language: Korean
Release Date: July 22nd 2009 (South Korea); Nov 5th 2009 (USA)
Running Time: 2 hours

The Movie Review

Haeundae film still 1

Haeundae is The first Korean disaster movie ever!


HAEUNDAE (TIDAL WAVE)
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
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Yes, guys... Haeundae is the first Korean movie ever concerning disaster. If you ask me about Korean movies, then first thing will come to mind are melodrama or comedy romantic titles, it would be easy for me to mention/recommend fabulous movie like My Sassy Girl (2001), 200 Pounds Beauty (2006), My Tutor Friend (2003), Seducing Mr. Perfect (2006) or a collaboration movie between Japan and Korea entitled Friends (2002). Those are titles that might be more familiar with girls and women for they're mostly chick-flicks, which my girlfriend always convinced me to watch them. For guys, we might be familiar more with Sex is Zero (2002), which was popular as The Korean American Pie, that's also directed by Je-gyun Yun.

But, if you ask me what Korean disaster movie that you know? Then I would rather buy you breakfast instead of answering that answer, for I'm shy to say 'I don't F know!'. So, historically speaking this is a film worth reviewing for. After all, a few days ago, exactly on December 26th 2009, Indonesia and several neighbouring countries were reminded of the devastating Tsunami disaster that had struck in 2004. I guess then Haeundae, with its MegaTsunami premise, is worth even more to be mentioned. But don't you worry guys, it's not just some movie, because Haeundae is one awesome disaster movie! And thinking that this is the first one, then I would be more than happy to see another Korean disaster film.

Haeundae itself is billed by some people as Korea's best beach that attracts a whole bunch of visitors every year, especially summer. Haeundae opens with introducing us to several people who live in Haeundae in Busan.
Man-Sik (Kyung-gu Sol), a local who lives in Haeundae beach is having trouble making a more intimate relationship with the owener of a humble sefaood restaurant, Yeon-heui (Ji-won Ha from Sex is Zero and Memories of Bali), because of the 2004 Tsunami tragedy that killed Yeon-heui's father who's on the same boat with Man-Sik.
Hyeong-Sik (Min-gi Lee), the younger brother of Man-Sik who is a lifeguard and involves in unexpected romantic relationship with a girl, Hee-mi (Ye-won Kang) who happens to visit Haeundae.
Dong-chun (In-kwon Kim), another survivor of 2004 tsunami as Man-Sik is who is some kind of douche bag and has the most ironic fate in this movie.
And finally a professor who study tsunami, Kim Hwi (Joong-Hoon Park), and fear that a megatsunami will strike Haeundae because of the collapse of Tsushima Island. And at the same time he has to deal with his hot-headed ex-wife Yu-jin (Jeong-hwa Eom from Seducing Mr. Perfect). joyfulness and troubles intertwined between each respective couple until Tsunami strikes that makes them start to think that all of that problems and joy were nothing but shallow matters compared to what they have to deal with.... A 100-metre high mega tsunami.

Haeundae still has the same formula for any Hollywood disaster films, but what differentiate Haeundae is that it employs several scenes that we used to see on above-mentioned Romantic-Comedy films. There are 3 main couples and each couple has their own romantic story. One couple even behaves just like in My Sassy Girl (Hyeong-Sik and Hee-mi). So what I'm saying is that about the first half of the movie feels more like another Korean romantic flick. Even though, this is an important phase to make the audiences feel emotionally-attached to the characters. The combination effects and camerawork are satisfying! Even though the scene of cargo containers falling down at Gwangan Bridge is plain cheap-like. Plus, some scenes are borrowed from The Guardian (2006), Deep Impact (1998), and a bit plot from Armageddon (1998), and even a bit slow-motion camerawork from 300 (2007). But! It doesn't make Haeundae less enthralling. And to further evoke the audience's emotion, Tidal Wave has this superb emotional musical score, the one that might really hook you up with the tragedy presented on screen, really astounding score.

In Haeundae or Tidal Wave (International Title), what's creepily noteworthy is how the movie arguably base its Mega-Tsunami of Tsushima Island theory on Mentawai Island's chunk that scientifically-predicted would cause catastrophe to the city of Padang (the capital of West Sumatera, Indonesia). It was said, which I sincerely pray for it never to happen, that in the future a chunk of Mentawai Island would crack and cause a massive Tsunami that would wipe out the city of Padang. A scientific claim made by some experts on TV that came to intention after the very very sad earthquake tragedy in Padang in September 30th 2009. So I hope that this Korean movie would motivate scientists and general people alike to pay more attention to the possibility of this Mentawai-threat and install some precaution and advanced warning system to avoid death toll.

Haeundae film still 3

Anyways, back to the movie, Haeundae is emotional and touching, it's a disaster movie with a hefty dose of good-quality drama that makes it have greater impact on the audience. The performances of the entire cast which are mostly experienced actors are just perfect to be in the first Korean disaster movie. Their hysterical faces, their agony, their panicking are Splendid! Even the child actor and the extras! Acting is of significant matter in disaster or drama movies, if they look fake then it's hard for the audience to believe in their story. You want a serious movie depicting disaster? With people start to forgive each other and think that this is may be their last day on Earth (and NOT the last day OF earth), then Tidal Wave is your pick...

Movielogy's readers, do please see this movie. It'd bring you a different experience in watching a disaster film from Korea. Even though at first it may seem like a drama movie but when the disaster-time strikes...then it's A must watch! And a solid entertainment! Especially if you're able to see it in cinema or if you have an expensive home theater, then Whow! Turn that volume up! Watching Haeundae would be a total blast!!! Go hunt down this movie! You won't regret it...

And oh, before I forget... Happy New Year 2010 guys! :-D

Haeundae (Tidal Wave)