Getting Married to Mobsters’ Sister

The “Mob” movie boom has gripped the Korean movie industry for over a year since lat year. “Glory of the Family,” is another mobster comedy that uses such appealing ingredients as violence and slang. The only difference is that this move has a flavor of romance.

Dae-suh (Jung Joon-ho), an elite venture businessman and an alumnus of Seoul National University, has a one night stand with a stranger under heavy influence of alcohol. And the stranger, Jin-gyung (Kim Jung-eun), turns out to be the only daughter of a mob boss whose family has a control over Yeosoo, a big city in south Chollanam Province. Having learned of the incident, her brothers went to Seoul to teach Dae-suh a lesson only to change their mind upon hearing his educational background. They are now all set to get him marry with their dearest sister for the glory of the family….

The movie, expected to hit box office during Chusuk holiday season, is the latest upgraded version of vulgar mob movies in Korea. It does not do without exaggerated acts and lines, but move-goers will find the unusual romance between Kim Jung-eun and Jung Joon-ho most amusing. Kim Jung-eun shines throughout the movie by skillfully playing a double character – sometimes she is a beloved only daughter and other times she is a feisty girl from a mob family.

Scenes involving the mob family and her brothers, however, make people feel bored instead of making them laugh, despite all those exaggerated comic acts. The oldest brother (Yoo Dong-guen) has a manly discussion with his son. His wife confronts with the son’s teacher. The scenes are so out of the story that they almost seem meaningless.

On the day the couple finally gets married, the brothers have a showdown with rivals. Of course, they are risking their lives for happiness of their little sister. It should have been much better if the movie ended with a lighthearted wedding. It’s a comedy after all. But the director seems too conscious about making a family movie, toughing hearts, to no avail.

A surprising ending has become catchy, too. So the movie shows at the end how all these things happened in the first place, but it is hardly surprising. Hyundai Card financed some 700 million won, 20% of production costs, so viewers can see Hyundai cards again and again throughout the movie. Directed by Jung Heung-soon and rated at aged 15 or above, the movie will open nationwide on September 13.

Hee-Kyung Kim susanna@donga.com