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Oh, the excitement of the FedEx envelope arriving from L.A. Publicist Jack Song asked me to review “No Regret,” a Korean film with an upcoming U.S. theatrical run. It’s being billed as a gay Romeo and Juliet, in light of its melodramatic romance and class-differences theme. According to the press kit, “No Regret” was such a passion project that cast and crew worked for next to nothing and contributed their personal cash toward production expenses. Released in South Korea in November 2006, the buzz around this film has been building steadily.

Writer-Director Leesong Hee-il starts with a classic element—the orphan—who is especially alienated in Korea’s family-centric society. Sumin, at eighteen, says goodbye to the state home, looking to make his way in Seoul. Between a factory job and night school, he takes a limo-driving gig, where Jaemin, a wealthy male customer, makes a pass at him. Sumin rejects the overture, exhibiting the attraction/revulsion common to men who struggle with homosexual identity. The paths of Sumin and Jaemin intersect again at the factory, where Jaemin uses his status to save Sumin’s job, and at an illegal gay host bar. Sumin does not know how to give or receive love, and Jaemin struggles with society’s expectations of him. The two hurt each other and themselves as they fall in and out of a relationship.

Leesong has really pulled off something special—a film that gets better as it progresses. The action moves a little slow at the outset, but as the plot unfolds, the director weaves in moments of incredible symbolism and emotional candor. The ending is really a gem.

Portrayals of sexual encounters, from the rent boys dancing with johns to the romantic climaxes, are realistic enough to make the film gritty, but avoid crossing the line into “just for shock” territory. You get the sense that Leesong carefully considered the sensibilities of Korean culture as he orchestrated them.

According to “No Regret”’s press kit, the film “will go down in history as the first true gay film in Korean cinema,” a country “with little understanding of, or tolerance for, homosexuality.” With “No Regret,” Leesong provided a fascinating window into Korean gay life. But just as Asian-American filmmakers strive to tell deeply human stories that transcend race, Leesong has told a deeply human story that transcends sexual orientation. The loss, desire, and conflict of “No Regret” could stir any one of us.

“No Regret” plays in select U.S. cities, including New York, Portland, and several California locations, starting July 25. For more information:

http://www.noregret-themovie.com


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I just keep thinking yaoi paddle sorry NYAF still on the brain.


I think a year and half is more than just procrastination. lol


OOOOOOOOH.  Even though I usually don’t care for Korean cinema, this piques my interest.  But first I should watch that King and the Clown film that I’ve been meaning to watch for over a year and a half now. X_X;; I am such a procrastinator.


Homosexuality is really started to explode in Asia it seems. I’m reading more articles in the Time, Wired, NYTimes, Slate, etc. Good that Asia is catching up to the rest of the world.


That’s cool that they didn’t turn away from it. A lot of Korean guys I know are really macho.


Miyoko, both actors in the lead roles are hetero. Lee Young-hoon plays 18-year-old Sumin, and Lee Han plays wealthy Jaemin. I think that would be a huge challenge, to play a role that’s outside of your own preference.


Haha No idea. I’ve never heard of either actor.


Lol Are they gay in real life? That would be too bad because they’re really cute. raspberry


He looks like he’s about to poke him in his eye. :X


They are but that’s why this movie is such a big deal.


Same here! I thought Korea was so prejudice against gay relationships?


I want to see this movie so badly!


I am so there! Thanks for the detailed review, Elena.



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