Hostage-scene ruined this movie. Is this a true story?
That hostage-taking scene really stretched my suspension of disbelief. I was watching this movie expecting this to be based on a true story, and I just couldn't believe this scene, here's why:
The hostage scene, seems to me is a major part of their story or their life. After all, Sassy Girl and especially Gyeon-Woo almost died, and it's a pretty spectacular event by any standard. I figured the movie writers wouldn't just make that story out of thin air. Not even an artistic license would permit to change the story as radical as that. So that story has to be included in the internet posts or book, i figured. Now, here's my problem with that scene:
To start, being held hostage is quite rare and unbelievable by itself. Maybe in some slums it's not, but considering all information given in the movie; and considering that the hostage situation isn't even what the movie is about, what are the odds. Not to mention the reason the soldier did it (he wants to die in front of his gf) is veeery lame and conveniently congruent with the story's theme, a love story. Just find me a real hostage scene with that reason and I might believe lol. And Sassy Girl talking about love leading the soldier to change his mind and freeing Gyeon-Woo is excruatingly clicheeeeeeeee. Like I remember seeing that in some Hollywood chick flick. And wow, there has to be fireworks at the end to culminate the event, huh? Also, Sassy Girl bitch-slapping Gyeon-Woo after he almost died is ridiculously evil. Cmon, you can't make a comedy about that.
And there are other 'minor' things too. The most notable one is how Gyeon-Woo just happened to encounter Sassy Girl out of all the girls on the street he could have hit (the hey, baby scene). The ball hitting the head scene is also corny and just not real.
I'm even skeptical about the source. According to wiki, it seems only the blog posts the basis of this story. Really, nothing else? Just written by one man? Do we even get to hear Sassy Girl's side of the story? If those are true and correct me if I'm wrong, then the source is pretty weak and the producers shouldn't pass this as based on a true story. Anybody could make up some *beep* and post it in blogs.
But in general, a pretty emotional film, especially at the end. Much better than the average chick-flick, but imo still in the category of romantic comedy and not a biopic because of these said unbelievable scenes and a weak source imo.