Here are the review and backstories of the K-movie, Sleep.
K-movie ‘Sleep’ Personal Review
It’s a well-crafted piece, I believe. The fear stemming from a husband’s abnormal sleep disorder affects his wife. The narrative delves into chaos, skillfully navigating between modern medicine, shamanism, and ghosts within a concise 94-minute runtime. The focus on sleep as a theme is unique, although my personal interest leaned towards ghosts, souls, and shamanism.
In the end, it appears that Hyun-soo (Lee Sun-kyun) took action to persuade Su-jin (Jung Yu-mi). In essence, it suggests the difficulty of breaking free once someone falls into the realm of shamanism. Su-jin immersed herself in shamanistic practices while exhausting all means to cure Hyun-soo’s ailment. Eventually, Hyun-soo is cured, but paradoxically, it feels like the cured Hyun-soo is rescuing Su-jin. The final scene embodies what Soojin desired from Hyunsoo. Overall, an unexpected narrative twist evoked a sense of fear. It’s a genuinely chilling scene. The fear rooted in psychological aspects is truly terrifying, more so than merely showcasing it.
Backstories
Cast Selection:
According to Yoo Jae-sun, actors Lee Sun-kyun and Jung Yu-mi were the perfect fit for the roles without any specific preferences. Despite concerns about casting for his first feature film, the production company’s CEO expressed confidence in the interesting scenario. Ultimately, the actors showed interest, and discussions led to their decision to participate.
Background of the Scenario:
Director Yoo Jae-sun was inspired to write the scenario after contemplating how people in his surroundings navigate their daily lives, especially after learning about sleepwalking. The narrative, featuring the characters Hyun-soo and Soo-jin, reflects the affectionate relationship between the director and his wife. Despite challenges, the director believes that any problem can be resolved when faced together.
Yoo Jae-sun shares, “In 2019, as I was about to get married, personal stories influenced my unconscious mind. Marriage and relationships were the central themes in my life at that time. Even though I was an unemployed theater actor, my wife’s support gave me confidence to overcome professional uncertainties. The key, I learned, is to be together.”
Filming Details:
Concerned about designing the house where the characters cohabit, Yoo Jae-sun opted for a large rectangular stage as a living room, deviating from a typical house setup. This design aimed to highlight the characters’ inner selves and provide flexibility for the actors. The space, mirroring the boundary between reality and the abnormal behaviors of Hyun-soo while sleeping, effectively captured the director’s vision. The artistic representation of space evolved with the movie’s flow, transitioning from a warm and realistic atmosphere to a colder tone as the characters faced psychological challenges.
Director Yoo explains, “I chose a slightly old-fashioned apartment for its cozy and cute ambiance, aligning with Su-jin and Hyun-soo’s relationship. Dividing the space into three chapters allowed us to overcome its limitations. Chapter 1 depicts the affectionate atmosphere, Chapter 2 turns colder and starker, and Chapter 3 incorporates elements representing the characters’ emotions.”
Production Focus:
Director Yoo Jae-sun emphasizes that the camera work should vividly convey the psychology of Su-jin and Hyun-soo. He envisioned the camera capturing only locations where the two characters could realistically exist.
Movie-watching Reviews from Others
- Horoscope (out of 10): 7
Comment: The scariest word in the world. “Sit down for a second” - Horoscope (out of 10): 10
Comment: Jung Yu-mi’s performance, which became mentally devastated in the latter half of the audience, was the best. Lee Sun-kyun was also scared of the sound soldering - Horoscope (out of 10): 5
Comment: Is this really the best ending for visitors? At the end, I’m laughing because I can’t believe it. - Horoscope (out of 10): 10
Comment: The audience is scarier than I thought, but Jung Yu-mi’s acting is crazy;; I saw this without knowing the time went by - Horoscope (out of 10): 9
Comment: It is a movie that tests whether the audience, Jung Yu-mi, is mentally ill first or Lee Sun-kyun is first. - Horoscope (out of 10): 6
Comment: Please return the visitors pepper and Andrew. - Horoscope (out of 10): 10
Comment: I can feel the spirit of a new director in the audience, and the actors’ seasoned performances made the movie shine - Horoscope (out of 10): 4
Comment: It was interesting in the beginning, but the ending… It’s like nothing to me. - Horoscope (out of 10): 4
Comment: I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish the show well - Horoscope (out of 10): 10
Comment: It’s dreary without surprising visitors. - Horoscope (out of 10): 7
Comment: Spectator Is this a disease or an act of insistence or both?
