Traces of Love

Korean Romantic Tearjerker Travelogue!
Two strangers touched by a tragedy find themselves repeatedly meeting at various scenic spots in Korea. Why? It can't be just co-incidence can it? That's the background of the plot, and the answer is surprisingly satisfying.

There are a lot of reasons to like this movie... it has a happy ending to a sad story... good character development, and the movie highlights some of the most scenic spots in Korea...

Make sure you have a tissue or two on hand
I didn't expect this to be as sad as it was. Not all the way through, but in places it was. I don't want to give anything away that might spoil it for anyone, but if you get emotionally involved in movies, you should have some tissues handy for this one.

I'm finding, with these Korean movies, that I prefer the slower, more thoughtful ones, like this one. I've watched others that had characters who were just too jarring and annoying and loud...and for me, I can't stand that. But, none of that in this one.

It might be a little too slow for some, as the story does take awhile to develop, but I found it to be more reflective of real life in that way.

I also thought the subtitles were good, as sometimes I find them confusing or they're not on the screen long enough. I thought these were just right. Of course, the dialogue isn't flying around really fast, so perhaps that's why. :) Not that I can't read fast, it's just that with some of them the subtitles...

Touching fictional film based on a real tragedy
For those like me who prefer to have the DVD, this does come with the spoken Korean and the subtitles in English.

I first want it realized that a large part of my interest in this film is that I lived in Seoul when the true tragedy took place. In 1995, a large department store did cave in and a colleague of mine survived.

With that preface in mind, I would recommend the film to someone who is interested in Korean culture. Otherwise, it might be difficult for some viewers to get through the exposition of the first 20-30 minutes.

However, once the main character starts his journey to reconnect with the love he lost, I feel most viewers will be drawn in. I don't want to give away too many spoilers but the young man's journey starts out alone. He feels solitary in his grief.

It is through following his vacation itinerary that he meets a woman with whom he connects. Her life intertwines with his in a way neither would have expected...

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