[K-movie] Bungee Jumping of their Own
Bungee jumping of their own is a 2001 S Korean film. Although I can’t say it had a huge impact on me, it was enjoyable to watch starting lightly before a sad, yet hopeful ending. It’s quite beautiful in its own way- both the story and the gorgeous visuals throughout. The idea of two destined lovers is not an uncommon theme in movies, but Bungee Jumping of their Own takes this theme and uses it to its full potential, tying together the past and the present whilst hinting at the future and eternity. As a love story, it is well told.
The story begins with In-woo: a shy and awkward young adult, who has naturally never experienced love. On a rainy night in 1983 he meets Tae-hee as she runs for shelter under his umbrella. He is taken by her, and comes back to that place in the hope he will meet her. She never turns up, and he has no choice but to give up until he sees her at college and in his own way, begins to pursue her again. It’s so cute watching In woo trying to subtly woo her but only coming across as awkward, and completely obvious. But their personalities compliment each other exactly, and eventually Tae-hee returns his feelings. They develop a very strong bond. Time passes though and before long though In-woo has to go off to the military (mandatory military service) and so he and Tae-hee arrange to meet beforehand one last time so she can send him off. He waits, and waits some more but she never turns up. Unknown to him at the time is the fact that in her rush to see him, Tae-hee has become involved in a car accident and died.
Now 2001 and In Woo has moved on in life- he has married, has a daughter and teaches language at school. The job we see him in now is at an all boys school. There is a certain student, Hyun Bin who attracts his attention and he cannot help but give him special attention so that before long rumours are flying about them being in a relationship. And although In-woo thinks he is going crazy, he knows in his heart that Hyun Bin is Tae-hee’s reincarnation- it is her, and he cannot help but remember their times together and the promise they made that when they died they would meet again, and they would recognize each other. Slowly but surely his life falls apart, but he knows that the only one he loved is Tae-hee and he cannot let go of those feelings. Only, those feelings now directed at a 17 year old student, and a man. Hyun Bin is angry at first, but gradually he remembers too. But due mainly to people’s prejudice it seems in this life they cannot be together…
The film is carefully placed, never including too much detail but telling just enough for the viewer to understand and to empathise with the two lovers. There is comedy, romance, and angst but it never wallows in it- so the story isn’t dragged out until you are bored and waiting for something to happen. I loved the end, where everything began to tie together and then the ending monologue with the two souls chatting casually between each other, and In Woos confession that he will love her forever. It’s sad in a way that although you see them happy together, at the end of the day they cannot be together. Yet you feel relieved and safe in the knowledge they will meet again and hopefully get their happy ending then. The story really comes full circle, but still leaves enough for the viewers imagination. What will happen to them in the future we don’t know, but we surely have felt the power of the bond between them.
As I said, it doesn’t have a huge impact on one but it’s a highly enjoyable film that never does anything wrong. Worth watching ^_^