Lee Mi-suk Movies
A battered woman finds her soul mate in a most unusual manner in this drama from Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-Duk. Tae-suk (Jae Hee Song) is a young drifter who appears to be homeless by inclination as much as necessity; he squats in the homes of strangers while they're away, carefully seeing to it that no damage is done to the property and sometimes performing small household chores as a display of gratitude. One day, Tae-suk sneaks into a house where a number of photos of a beautiful model adorn the walls. After eating, washing up, and doing some minor repairs, Tae-suk discovers he's being watched by the woman of the house, Sun-hwa (Lee Seung-yeon), and he soon recognizes her as the model in the photos. However, Tae-suk sees that Sun-hwa has been badly bruised, and suspects she's been the victim of domestic violence. When Tae-suk returns to the home later that evening, his suspicions are confirmed as he sees Sun-hwa being slapped around by her husband, Min-kyo (Gweon Hyeok-ho). Tae-suk impulsively bursts into the house, grabs a golf club, and attacks Min-kyo with it; moments later, Tae-suk and Sun-hwa ride away together on his scooter, and she silently joins him in his existence as a squatter, which slowly blossoms into a love affair. Bin-Jip (aka 3-Iron) received its North American premiere at the 2004 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Seung-yeon, Jae Hee Song, (more)
Writer/director E J-Yong transposes Choderlos de Laclo's novel Dangerous Liaisons to Korea during the repressive 18th century Chosun Dynasty for his costume drama, Untold Scandal. Lady Cho (Lee Mi-Suk, who also starred in Yong's debut, An Affair) decides to get revenge on her husband when he procures the services of a young, virginal concubine, Lee Soh-ok (Lee So-yeong). She asks her womanizing cousin, Jo-won (Korean television superstar Bae Yong-Jun, in his first starring role in a feature film), to seduce the girl and impregnate her. Cho-won doesn't see this as enough of a challenge. He has his sights set on an honorable young widow, Lady Sook (Jeon Do-Yeon), nicknamed "The Gate of Chastity." Lady Cho makes a wager with Jo-won, offering herself to him if he provides proof that he has succeeded in seducing the widow. While Jo-won struggles to ingratiate himself to Lady Sook, manipulating her handmaiden, and donating money to her Catholic church, Lady Cho works to get the innocent Soh-ok in trouble. But things take an unexpected turn when Lord Jo-won begins to develop genuine feelings for his prey. Untold Scandal was a huge box-office success in Korea, and it was shown at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art as part of the 2004 edition of New Directors/New Films. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bae Yong-jun, Lee Mi-suk, (more)
- 1998
An architect's wife does not realize that by agreeing to watch over her younger sister's handsome fiancé while the latter is visiting the U.S., she has left herself open to an irresistible temptation. Though the story is simple, this South Korean drama was done with such restraint, subtle humor, and artfulness that it stands a notch above similar genre entries. Middle-aged but still lovely architect's wife Seo-hyun's (Lee Mi Suk) difficulties arise soon after meeting her sister Ji-hyun's beau Wu-in (Lee Jeong-jae), a handsome 27-year old. He and Ji-hyun agreed to marry as soon as she comes back from a visit to New York. Unfortunately for the little sister, there is an immediate and powerful attraction between Seo-hyun and Wu-in, and it is only a matter of time before the two become lovers. Upon her return, Ji-hyun is surprised by Wu-in's request that they postpone their marriage. Though he and Seo-hyun try hard to keep their affair a secret, word inevitably escapes. Jeongsa was shown at the 1998 Pusan Film Festival in South Korea and also at the 1998 Vancouver Film Festival. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Mi-suk, Lee Jeong-jae, (more)
