A Year-End Medley

I enjoyed this hotel themed holiday movie. Some of these ensemble holiday rom coms are confusing or don't let you get into the characters enough before they end. But this one is easy to follow with a clever choice of distinctive looking actors and clear direction and stories that are quite involving. Han Ji Min and Won Jin A are good as the leading ladies. The latter does well as the chambermaid. Among the guys, Kang Ha Neul stands out as the suicidal guy. The previous year had the similar but internationally filmed New Year Blues which was better in parts than others and I only liked the Argentina part. This movie is more evenly balanced.'

This was a great Korean film to kickstart the new year. The all-star cast was endearing and their stories were interesting. A Year End Medley stars popular South Korean actors and actors Lee Dongwook, Han Jimin, Im Yoonah, and Lee Jinwook (plus many more!) I felt we saw character development in many of the characters, making the film deeper and more interesting to watch. The cinematography and aesthetics of A Year End Medley were beautifully done and the hotel in which most of the film is set makes a perfect backdrop for this lavish but sweet film. It has a cheery, sentimental tone, with some poignant moments. The messages are clear and the story resolves in a beautifully sweet (yet a bit melancholic) way. The only complaint I have is that there were so many stories that tied into each other that I got lost a few times. Maybe if they had left out 2-3 storylines, it would have been a bit easier to follow. But all in all, It leaves you smiling, wanting more, and ready for the new year. What more could you ask from a delightful Korean rom-com movie? An 8/10 from me!

Kwak Jae-young apparently doesn't lose his touch in making a sentimental-induced yet entertaining rom-com with some heart in it. However, his interconnected stories in A Year-End Medley are not fully realized as a solid treat. While some stories have a nice threadbare, some others are quite underdeveloped. As a result, the film doesn't have enough oomph to be truly satisfying.