The Harmonium In My Memory

Korean with English sub-titles.

This fabulous, low-key and very affecting movie is set in a poor village in South Korea in 1963. Korea has yet to begin modernization, and though trucks sometimes pass by the village, it is a different world -- farmer's shacks, midden pits, rural poverty and illiterate children who would rather play in the dirt than learn the skills that will make them part of the South Korean economic revolution.

Into this come two young, inexperienced teachers from Seoul, Suha and Eunhee (played by the same actor and actress who went on to star in "Addicted"). Suha is 21, awkward, uncertain, and he doesn't have the authority to deal with his rowdy pupils. Clearly he feels like a fish out of water in this rural village -- he clutches his beloved LPs even though he's got nothing to play them on. He soon falls in love with Eunhee, 24, as the only young woman even remotely in his sphere.

But the movie focuses on -- and is seen through the memories of -- one of his pupils, Hongyeon, 17, played with incredible sensitivity and charm by Jeon Do Yeon (who would go on to be in "Untold Scandal" among others). Her performance is simply superb, showing how this gauche, shy and uncertain girl slowly finds her feet. Hongyeon develops a crush on Suha, though he hardly notices her and seems to regard her simply as a silly girl. Their age difference isn't that great, but it's not just the teacher-student relationship that puts a barrier against them.

The movie plays out slowly, quietly and with an understated passion that is simply superb. The scenes between Suha and Hongyeon are fabulous -- Suha seemingly unaware or dismissing her affections, Hongyeon finding enormous significance in every gesture or word. Once he pinches her as a joke, and she spirals into another round of fear and uncertainty that lasts for days.

It is very affecting, and like all good romantic movies it will leave you in tears. Rightly, Jeon Do Yeon was praised for her performance, and it is this awkward, inexperienced but desperate girl you will remember -- her expression turning from fear and uncertainty to a huge beaming smile in an instant. In other words, all those terrible moments of first love. All in all it's a lovely and memorable rainy morning "two box" movie -- a box of chocolates and a box of tissues. 

Excellent viewing quality