Art Museum by the Zoo (199 Misulgwan Yup Dongmulwon

Directed by Jeong-hyang Lee (The Way Home)

Starring Shim Eun-ha (Christmas in August), Lee Sung-jae (Public Enemy)

A light romantic drama that could easily have been named The Misfits or any one of a dozen other names.

On taking some leave from the army, Chul-su (Lee Sung-jae) returns to the apartment he shares with Da-Hye only to find she left the apartment and him 2 months earlier for another man. Instead he finds a new tenant, Chun-Hi (Shim Eun-ha), who works filming weddings and is an aspiring screenwriter. They are completely different from each other; she is messy and disorganised, he is loud, gruff but very tidy, at first they do nothing but argue and irritate each other but over the long haul its a case of opposites attracting as he helps her (or should that be hinders) in completing a screenplay for a competition. 

The original concept involves two storylines running consecutively, the couple forced into sharing the apartment and the couple in the screenplay. The imaginary or screenplay sequences are filmed in delicate but muted tones, at times just sepia and generally with a soft focus lens but there are times when paths cross between reality and fiction which all adds to the atmosphere.

A nice genial undemanding romantic drama with a touch of all to human comedy as this odd couple gradually fall for each other. 

The soundtrack is an eclectic mix of saxophone dominated easy going jazz and 90s pop, I cant say I was particularly struck by it but it did tie in nicely with the story. Confession time; I really didn't like the soundtrack but I know from other reviews that I'm in a minority on this one, I don't like lazy jazz style music and I can't stand "The Beautiful South" so even though it all fits within the context of the story, I found it annoying.

If theres one genre that typifies Korean films over the last 10 years or so its the romantic drama for 20+s, They generally appear to bring a unique idea to each one and this is a more than decent example.

Like many others, its not essential viewing but its certainly a pleasurable way to spend an evening, recommended for those who enjoy quirky and original romances.

Cheers Trev.

No BBFC rating but probably PG.

Region 3 ntsc dvd available from EDKO.