British movies (Notting Hill, Love Actually, Pride & Prejudice)

No actor can be better than Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. He is definitely Darcy just like the character in the book. I like this BBC version of Pride and Prejudice though Keira Knightley version is well filmed.

Below is Stourhead Garden in England where the rainy scene from Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley was filmed. I've always wanted to go to London and other well-known cities in England. Since it's apart from the continent, it was excluded from my previous trip to Europe. The summer of 2013 was indescribable. Since I hooked in English in 7th grade, England has been my dream.

Live today as if there's no tomorrow! (Veronika Decides to Die)

1. Summary

Veronika has everything such as youth, beauty, family, and job, which are coveted by most people. But she has one essential thing missing: a reason to live for. She attempts suicide by taking sleeping pills but to no avail. She ended up waking up in a mental hospital and she is told that she has only several days to live.

There are other inmates in the hospital. Zedka who had an out-of-wedlock relationship suffers from severe depression after realizing that she was exploited by the lover. Mari who was an efficient lawyer has a panic attack and has to leave her firm. Eduard who wanted to become a painter faces his affluent parents' strong objection and suffers from schizophrenia.

Interacting with the patients, she does/says what she wants without worrying about what others think of her. She frees herself to experience hatred and love. She eventually escapes from the hospital to live a happy life with Eduard.

Veronika does not die on her last day and ushers in another day of life with delight. This miracle has to do with Dr. Igor's experiment. He believed that an awareness of death encourages people to live more intensely, and it has been proven.
 

2. Reaction

This is my second Coelho book following The Alchemist. Honestly, neither of them I like. They are both too philosophical and out-of-this-world, which sound more like textbook lessons. Besides, the stories don't have to be that long just to say that something obvious and unequivocal. Neverthelss, I have to admit that the writer's style is impeccable and quite a few sentences resonated with me. The author definitely knows how to touch burned-out souls. But there is little or no use of getting solace from him because I know I'll have to go back to my routine with no ultimate solution.

An anecdote tells us what sanity is. When 65-year-old Mari sets off in search of adventure, the Fraternity says that Mari has finally gone insane. Normality is merely a matter of consensus; A lot of people think something is right and that thing becomes right. People go against nature because they lack the courage to be different, and thus just accept the yardstick society imposes on without wondering why they should behave like that. In a way, crazy people in the mental hospital are perfectly normal and healthy, whereas seemingly normal people outside are mentally deteriorating.

Each human being is unique and it's OK to be different. Thus, do and say what you want and be who you want in order to stay mentally healthy. Live today as if you'll die tomorrow.

Tinkers

1. Summary

Tinkers is the story of three New England generations: son, father, and grandfather. It is about time and memory, life and death.

George who faces imminent death looks back on lives of his father, Howard and his own. He had impoverished childhood living in a bitter, cold area. His father was a peddler/tinker who traveled far to backwoods, and his mother was frustrated and strict with raising her kids. He witnessed his father's epileptic seizure during which his finger was bitten by his father, and this experience traumatized him.

Howard, who had assumed that his wife's silence meant her kindness and tolerance, was in despair and did not come back home when he saw a brochure of a mental hospital that his wife had placed that morning. He moved to Philadelphia and started over a new life.

Young Howard's father, who was a church minister, showed signs of mental illness. One day he was taken away from home and Howard did not see his father again.

The last thing George remembers was Christmas dinner in 1953, when Howard had a short visit to George's family after tracking his first family.

 

2. Reaction

One dominant question has been lingering in my frustrated mind all through the reading: what is the writer trying to convey? On top of that, I had no idea what was going on except some anecdotes related to Hick Gilbert's decayed tooth, Howard's fit at Christmas dinner, and George's runaway. There are 191 pages, but if I understand one third of it, I think I am lucky enough.

Howard seems to be sympathetic with feeble creatures like wild flowers and plants because they represent life and freedom, which are elusive for him. He is poverty-ridden, which is a prison from which he hardly escape. Besides, he suffers from incurable epilepsy. All these things make him depressed and naturally lead him to ponder over death and evanescence.

The last scene of the story is impressive. What George remembers after all the memories is his father's unexpected visit. I believe this memory helps him reconcile with his father and rest in peace.

If life is so desolate and full of hardship that I have to wade through it just like the man on the book cover, it is heavyhearted. But I want to have a hope that at the end of the grueling journey in knee-deep snow, I will reach my home where loved ones are waiting for me sitting around a warm fireplace. Hopefully, life will be something I will smile at on my deathbed when I will be reflecting on.

Little House on the Prairie

Laura's family moves in Indian Territory in Kansas, following the government promise to give land to settlers in the west. Pa and Ma build their log house and a stable. Pa sells hunted animals' fur and buys necessities and a plow. He helps cowboys herd cattle and gets a calf.
Indians occasionally appear and Ma and the girls are scared, but Pa says Indians are not bad people. The family gets along with neighbors and has a simple, but heartwarming Christmas dinner together. One day a wild fire broke out across the prairie and the family successfully protect their property from it. All the Indian tribes gather together and make much commotion several nights in a row. The family worries a lot about it and can't sleep well. The nocturnal disturbance recedes and Pa hears that the Indians had a rift over a war against white people. The Indians leave their territory and laura's family reluctantly moves out because of the government's new policy.
초원의 집 is a TV series I liked watching when I was in elementary school. I reminisce about the carefree happy days of my childhood. I could picture how hard the life back then was and how diligently the settlers lived to build a community against all odds. The puritanical parents who are moral, frugal, and down-to-earth impressed me a lot. Their life plays a role in shaping my so-called pro-Americanism and made me think how I have to lead my life.

This is Melissa Sue Anderson who played Mary Ingalls in the TV show. I felt sorry for her when she became blind.
It's pleasant to see the girls running down the hill. Ouch, the youngest tumbles down.



The Call of the Wild

I've always wanted to read this book. I don't know why, but it seems to do with unrestricted freedom  in nature. The book is just like what I imagined.  I pulled the sled when Buck did. I ran fast when Buck did. I felt free and thrilled when Buck was running through the wind and howling with his nose pointing in the sky. Living in the wild is far from being comfortable, but life gets more exciting when something adventurous brings in.
A domesticated dog named Buck lived a comfortable, langorous life in California. But he was stolen/sold to serve as a sled dog in the Yukon. Strong sled dogs were in high demand because of the 19th century Klondike Gold Rush. Buck struggled to adjust and survive the cruel treatment he received from humans, other dogs, and nature. He was so smart that he soon became the lead dog. A kind man rescued Buck from his ill-natured owner's harshness and he was faithful to the man until the man was killed by greedy gold diggers. Now Buck responded to his primordial instincts. He ran at the head of the wolf pack through the moonlight as a respected and feared leader in the wild.

Rabbit-Proof Fence (The journey home)

I vaguely remember watching its movie adaptation at a teacher training program a decade or so ago. It was part of cultural exchange between the two countries. I had neither prior knowledge nor subtitles about the movie. The film looked gloomy and I wasn't quite interested.
For the past ten years, however, I've evolved into a person who is able to value diversity along with much better English proficiency.

The fence was built in southwest Australia in 1907 to keeep the rabbits out of the farmlands of white settlers.

It's an inspiring true story about three aboriginal girls' courage and determinition. The half-caste girls (aboriginal mom and white dad) were forcibly taken away from their families to a camp where mixed race children were educated. They escaped the prison-like place and walked to return to their home, following the fence which is about 2,000 kilometers long. They had to fight cold, hunger, and fear. Due to the oldest girl's wise decisions, they weren't caught by the trackers and eventually held in their moms' arms.
This story reminds me of the ordeal when my mom's generation had to endure under the Japanese colonial rule. Koreans were deprived of the Korean language and culture. We even had to change our names into Japanese ones. Linda Sue Park's book below is a good resource to learn more about what happened during the hard times. I hope Japan shows sincere penitence about their wrongdoings and cruelty and build a future-oriented relationship.

Reply 1997 + Dawson's Creek



응답하라 1997 OST 우리 사랑 이대로

응답하라 1997 OST All For You

It was on the first day of the freshman year at high school. Joonhee's unrequited love started with Yoonje's courageous rebellion at school. It could be viewed as a common teenage defiance, but it was different; Yoonje is one of the smartest and brightest. Being a top student and broaching a sensitive topic against the school rules can't be compatible in Korean high school.
On the wall in the corridor is there a list of students' names and their academic scores. Students have to sit in the order of their performance. All the students look embarrassed and disturbed.
Yoonje stands up against a strict teacher, who announces a student's happiness is completely up to his/her academic achievement, strongly saying that posting up each student's academic score in public is infringement on human rights. He then insists that teachers, in return, should be treated likewise by making the name of their alma mater public. Because of the hierarchial system of higher education, the college name directly refers to the graduate's academic success.
Going into his classroom, Joonhee turns back to look at Yoonje who will soon be severely punished alone by the angry teacher and gets impressed by this weird student. Joonhee is wondering who takes up the empty No. 1 seat right next to him. Joonhee is surprised when Yoonje comes and sits there. He is dumbfounded when Yoonje borrows an English dictionary from him and uses it as a pillow. What a quirky No.1 student!

Dawson's Creek is the American counterpart of Reply 1997. The boy (Pacey) knows the girl (Joey) better than anyone else, even the girl herself. They're good friends; too good a friend for the girl to be aware that she is in love and the boy is developing their friendship into love. Pacey is always there. He has been faithful to Joey. They go through ups and downs of adolescence and finally ends up being together.

 

Romance (2002)

Year 2002.
The whole country was pleasantly raucous along with the Red Devils in the streets over the World Cup matches. I was a rookie teacher who was struggling at work.
And...
I was hooked on Romance and was on cloud nine with the brightening killer smile. The season of cherry blossoms fluttering down .
In about a decade I've seen it again. I can find some scenes of a little bit poor acting, which are bearable, though. 김재원 looked sparkling in the show. And once again he looks dazzling in "Can you hear my heart?" and reaches the 2nd peak in his career. I'm happy for him.

 

 

 

 

 

Differentiated education

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. -Albert Einstein

Watch the "Animal School" video clip and check how you've viewed your students. You'll definitely need a deep reflection like I did.

Can You Hear What My Heart says? (내 마음이 들리니? 2011)

 It's been a bittersweet week. I'm happy to encounter this well-made drama. I'm unesay, drifting in and out of the story and thus not doing what I'm supposed to do. I regretted not having watched this drama earlier. It IS and WILL BE lingering in my mind. It describes a heartwarming and awakening story. I had a chance to think about what a family means. What makes people unite as a family? To tell the truth, I've been a hypocrite. I have to say that I still don't admit to adopting a child though I'm rational and quite westernized.
I came to a realization that neither blood tie nor surname plays a role to decide who belongs to a family. I'm stuck with old-fashioned biological kinship. Now I know a family is 식구,  which means people eating together a meal from the same cooker. People you want to spend your time together, not given just based on your birth.
A father considered as a retarded fool is the most humane person. A deaf man hears the best. He covers his ears to hear what flowers say. His heartfelt waiting built on trust is answered and changes another man's twisted path in life.
우리 says that 준하 belittles her by comparing with a girl who does a significant job while 동주 likes her even when she does such a petty job.

You are a person who can see well, not a person who cannot hear.

http://griet0210.blog.me/110109012835

http://blog.naver.com/jini_tkfkd/100128140020

It was an early spring when you came back to my heart. I was transfixed by the refreshing bike scene. Thanks a lot for playing your role very well in the show. 

Coffee Prince (커피프린스 1호점 2007)

Five summers have come and gone since my heart was all fuzzy with love and a sweet feeling of fullness. The main actor and actress's acting was brilliant and their relationship looked genuine. My summer that year went by with this drama that I got hooked on. This is one of THE best dramas I've ever seen.
Unlike other drama characters who look like coming from a picture card, the Hangyel+Eunchan couple have breakfast together with their shaggy hair in comfy clothes. Hangyel, who have struggled to deny his love to a boy, Eunchan, takes up his courage and confesses, "It doesn't matter whether you're a guy or alien. I'll go for it as far as it goes."
Since the director is female, she obviously knew how to depict the chemistry/relationships and subtle feelings between the characters. She knew what female viewers like to watch.  

Big; Body Switching (2012)

I like the chemistry between Gongyoo and Lee Minjung. It looks as if it's real. I love Gongyoo's sadly-looking eyes that tears are about to well up. I have been rooting for Kyungjoon and Daran to be together. It's because the body belongs to Yoonjae. Basically I like Yoonjae's body with Kyungjoon's soul. It's unfair to Yoonjae, though. 

I was disappointed and confused when Daran ended up being with Kyungjoon. I hoped there's a twist or some kind of ingenious ideas to untangle the relationships. There should be something. But it ended just like that. What is the story about? Is Yoonjae forgotten and forsaken? Doesn't Kyungjoon's soul get out of the 30 year old body? Anyway, Yoonjae and Kyungjoon are brothers. How will Daran have a relationship with Kyungjoon which has his brother's body? Worse yet, Daran had gotten married to Yoonjae beforehand. It's not illegal, but it's hard for the family to accept. The Hong sisters want us to believe in true love that overcomes family disapproval and age gap. What is their intention?  

Up

1. Summary

Carl Fredricksen and his wife, Ellie, had been a big fan of adventurer Charles Muntz since they were little kids. They had always wanted to go on an adventure to Paradise Falls in South America. Carl, who led a solitary life after Ellie's death, took off for the destination with thousands of colorful helium balloons attached to his house. A boy named Russel, who eagerly wanted the last badge to become a senior wilderness explorer, helped Carl carry the house and eventually reach the location. Along the journey, they built a special bond while collaboratively rescuing a big bird and talking dogs from the mean Muntz.

2. Reaction

I had thought this book wasn't that special in the first place. The story wasn't as interesting and moving as Lion King. I had bothered to watch the DVD to better understand the book. It sounds a tad bit exaggerative, but the only pleasant thing I found out about it was the scene where a bunch of colorful balloons appeared behind Carl's house. I could immediately recognize the scene because it's part of the iPad commercial.

My views on the book, however, totally changed as the discussion was developing. I came to a realization that the adventure this story was trying to convey was not the big one which is reserved and exclusive only to a handful of extraordinary people. Everyday life I live can be considered as an adventure. What matters is not how far or exotic place I go to, but how well I cope with everyday routine with an adventurous spirit.

I have been so far busy complaining either of the same boring days or of stressful behavioral problems I have to deal with at work. On second thought, surprisingly, black sheep students kindly put me into an adventure and made my monotonous day exciting. Everything depends on how I look at them. Scarlett O'hara said, "Tomorrow I'll think of some way. After all, tomorrow is another day." I wonder what new things are ahead of me tomorrow. 

The Bridal Mask (각시탈 2012)

A hero appears in the dismal times when the Japanese ruled Korea. 
It is REALLY thrilling to see the scene where the Bride-mask Man knocks down a horde of Japanese policemen and slashes up the banner that reads "Congratulations on Japanese annexation of Korea" hung over the podium of the celebrating ceremony. The festivity of their own ends up falling into total chaos. They deserve it. 
The one who has done this job is Zorro or Robin Hood-like figure who helps Korean ordinary people who are repressed by Japanese people. He also retaliates on pro-Japanese traitors.