MovieChat Forums > Janghwa, Hongryun (2003) Discussion > STEP MOM should be the one to be blamed ...

STEP MOM should be the one to be blamed the most

posted 14 years ago by Too_Late_The_Hero
30 replies | jump to latest

for just some petty arguments why would she let the poor girl die..instead she should be the one on the mental institution and not SU-Mi. Her poor of judgment and critical thinking tells so.and seemed not so guilty about it. And the sad part of it the father is really clueless behind the death of seun-young(remember that the father is still having affair (may/maybe not with Eun-joo)

if she did the other way around, none all of it could have happened. I hate Her!

But its a movie right?

[–] overseer-3 14 years ago

Right.

There really are people that evil though.

[–] Vegas_Babe 14 years ago

I compleatly agree! I was like why would she just stand there and let her die?

*Japan Man Ninja Clan*(don't ask)

[–] Too_Late_The_Hero 14 years ago

true... . she said something about " you will see the result of this consequence.." and she thought she could just let the girl die just to make a point on SuMi.Which is compeletely [email protected], the movie didnt even have a happy ending or redemption. tsk.I

i Kinda love this type of movies.they make you think and react in a certain way.Ambivalent and ambigous. I just wish that Hollywood can do many of these.

[–] overseer-3 14 years ago

Hollywood makes movies for people with IQs of 25. lol

[–] BrainGremlin 13 years ago

You can be intelligent and enjoy simplistic movies.

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Morning sun, vanquish me!

[–] lumosnight 12 years ago

Let's see you say that about Inception, Sin City or Citizen Kane. IQ of 25 my bum.

[–] BrainGremlin 12 years ago

Psst. Friendly tip: hit reply on the post you wish to reply to.

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Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

>>You can be intelligent and enjoy simplistic movies.

Yes but simplistic does NOT have to mean unintelligent.

MODERN American movies contribute to the dumbing down of America. I am not talking about a film like Citizen Kane. Modern American film producers go after the lowest common denominator of audience (More Sex! More CGI! More Big Name Superficial Stars). If they make something too intelligent and clever the audience for it is perhaps 15%, not 90%, and they all want to have the next economic blockbuster, so they have to appeal to the common denominator, which, considering the poor level of public education in America right now, is just not very high.

So I stick with my original sentiment: most modern American movies are for the stupid. Which is why the American version of AToTS, The Uninvited, was an INSULT to the intelligent film viewer.

As for Eunjoo, she will never find happiness, peace, and contentment because she has to face dark consequences for contributing to the death of a young person by her deliberate silence. Just think: if she IS having sexual relations with the dead girl's father, how dark and evil is that??? She is intimate with a man whose own flesh and blood daughter died because of her silence and inaction.

[–] BrainGremlin 12 years ago

Still, you can enjoy something stupid while being smart. But fair enough; I watched ATM just the other day, and I was deeply offended by what it tried to impress me with, and what it wanted me to just accept without question.

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Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

[–] Gambitt 13 years ago

I agree with the original poster. To me, this really undercut the core of the film: the source of Su-Mi's gnawing guilt and "regret."

If my sibling was dying in another room and my stepmom decided not to tell me because I was being an ass to her at the moment, I wouldn't "regret" anything. It would squarely and entirely be the stepmom's fault.

Heck, what stepmom did may even be criminal in some places.

I'd be willing to overlook all this except that again, this really was the key moment to the entire film.

[–] eYeDEF 13 years ago

Yes, but you have to try to understand Sumi's perspective here to get a fuller understanding of how she came to accept the blame. Sumi already accepted that the step mom was an evil and vicious individual with no moral foundation. After all she had no compunctions with destroying a family in her selfish affair with the father despite the obligatory oaths of her profession where she was employed to nurture and assist the family. At least that's the way Sumi saw it, so that's why she was willing to accept all the blame. She saw the step mom as a sadistic psychopath incapable of empathy and beyond any possibility of reform and therefore took it upon herself to protect her sister from this vile woman.

That's why she felt she failed so miserably. It makes perfect sense really.

Some fellows get credit for being conservative when they are only stupid.
- Kin Hubbard

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

And she's a young person, not an adult, who has suffered quite a bit, not yet able to put a more mature perspective on what she has been through yet. She must have played that scene where she leaves the house after the quarrel with Eunjoo over and over in her mind, thinking, "If only! If only I had checked the situation out myself! If only I hadn't given in to my anger at Eunjoo and checked my sister's bedroom first!"

Another fact to consider: at the dinner party scene we know it is really Sumi who sits there at the table, thinking she is Eunjoo. We the audience see "stepmother" Eunjoo but it's really Sumi talking. If there really was a ghost of Suyeon under the china cabinet when the aunt has the seizure after seeing something under there then WHY WOULD SUYEON BE ACTING OUT HER DEATH AGAIN WHEN IT IS SUMI REALLY SITTING and STANDING THERE, AND NOT EUNJOO??? If it's really her ghost that scene means to me that SUYEON HERSELF CAN'T REST BECAUSE SHE IS ANGRY AT HER SISTER FOR NOT SAVING HER.

One would THINK she would re-enact it if she was mad at Eunjoo, but Eunjoo is not there in the house at the dinner scene, it is Sumi. No, Suyeon herself blames her sister for her death, and deep down Sumi knows this and that is why she feels guilt.

Suyeon is haunting Sumi more than she's haunting Eunjoo.

[–] mads-26 12 years ago

You should first and foremost realize that this movie is seen through the eyes of one girl, that has just been released from a mental hospital, where she has been from her mothers suicide.

Now. there is no stepmother!
The Step mother is Su-Mi, notice how they get period the same time? How the father don't get involved in their fights and how all the evil things she does don't affect the father either.

There is no sister!
She is already dead, she died when she found the mother in the cabinet and it fell on her. Again, in SU-Mi's head she dies when the father reach out and tell her she is dead.

So why did the step mother let her die?
Well she didn't, but in the tormented mind of Su-Mi someone had to be to blame, that also explains the banging noises that Su-Mi thinks the stepmother heard.

So who was the stepmother?
Probably Su-Mi's doctor or psychologist at the hospital, she don't show up until the very end, when the father calls someone and then go to pick her up. Then she comes to take Su-Mi back to the hospital.

But she was killed by the mothers ghost?
No, again that was in Su-Mi's mind, she is again trying to put blame and vengeance on her sole "enemy" her doctor.

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

You're very confused. Watch the film again with the commentary track on. It will clear up a lot of matters for you.

The father is talking on the phone to someone when he is concerned Sumi is "losing it" again so soon after being released from the asylum. This someone he is chatting with on the phone is Eunjoo. Eunjoo exists. She is just not Sumi, otherwise the father is insane too! lol! talking to his daughter on the phone when she is right in the same house with him. chuckle.

[–] mads-26 12 years ago

And you are overly arrogant, I said that the women existed, HOWEVER that the step mom was Su-Mi, try to open both eyes when you read a post, maybe even read it twice to catch all the long and hard words.

Let me help you and once again write the text:
Quote "So who was the stepmother?
Probably Su-Mi's doctor or psychologist at the hospital, she don't show up until the very end, when the father calls someone and then go to pick her up. Then she comes to take Su-Mi back to the hospital." Endquote

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

You confuse confidence for arrogance. You obviously haven't watched the film with the DIRECTOR'S commentary turned on. Do so, and you will find out how wrong you are.

We SEE Sumi's doctor right at the beginning of the film. This male doctor is NOT Eunjoo.

[–] Jameron 12 years ago

"You confuse confidence for arrogance. You obviously haven't watched the film with the DIRECTOR'S commentary turned on. Do so, and you will find out how wrong you are.

We SEE Sumi's doctor right at the beginning of the film. This male doctor is NOT Eunjoo. " - overseer-3

@Mads-26

We also see Eun-Joo at the chronological beginning of the story through flashback/reveals. She is in the car with Moo-hyeon, and she is in the house, downstairs with Su-Mi's uncle and his wife(?). She is also accosted by Su-Mi on the stairs. Even if you think (as some do) that this meeting was imagined by Su-Mi, then the other people in the film must be also mad or also imagined by Su-Mi if we only see Eun-Joo at the end of the story (note: end of story, not end of film)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3tGxnFKfE

http://tinyurl.com/LTROI-story

[–] mads-26 12 years ago

I know we see her in the beginning also, and on the picture with the father and mother, however that is not the same Eun-Joo that is the stepmother, do you guys really think the stepmother was really there being evil?

Because that must be the only reason you claim "you haven't seen directors commentary" "you are confused" and "you misunderstand the movie"

[–] Jameron 12 years ago

"I know we see her in the beginning also,..." - mads-26

But that stands in direct contradiction of when you say

"she don't show up until the very end,"

How can Eun-Joo only show up at the very end, but also be in the beginning of the story? I think this is where my confusion about what you are saying stems from.

Of course I know that 'the stepmother' is all in Su-Mi's head, but Su-Mi doesn't have to use her doctor's body and face to visualise her, because she already knows Eun-Joo from before she lost her mind. Also, there is nothing to suggest that Eun-Joo is Su-Mi's doctor, in fact there is evidence to show she is exactly NOT her doctor. We see a male doctor talking to Su-Mi at the beginning of the film, and a different male doctor when she is readmitted to the hospital. We see Eun-Joo (when Su-Mi is readmitted) in the same corridor as Moo-Hyeon while he is talking to Su-Mi's new doctor, if Eun-Joo had anything to do with Su-Mi's treatment surely she would have been included in the discussion?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3tGxnFKfE

http://tinyurl.com/LTROI-story

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

mads26, I've watched the film at least 10 times because I love it so. How many times have you watched it? Have you watched it with the director's commentary on? I have, twice.

Insisting that Eunjoo is Sumi's doctor in the face of everyone telling you otherwise and pointing out scenes in the film that clearly show her being treated by male doctors, I think you are more the stubborn "arrogant" one in this discussion.

[–] mads-26 12 years ago

This is getting juvenile, "my dad is stronger than yours", "I watched the movie more than you, so I must be right in everything".
How many times I have seen it, don't know, my life do not include counting the times I see movies. Directors comm.. probably once, I don't need to a commentary more than once, so what is your point? that since you might have seen it more your opinion takes precedence? because then we are into the juvenile factor and this debate is over, I have neither the time nor the patience to debate with someone that have a arrogant locked mind, what is the point of that.

Also you clearly has still not read anything I wrote, because I wrote "Her doctor or NURSE" I think we are done here. Don't bother writing more until you actually read what I write, I am getting fed up with your comments on things I have not written and never have indicated.

[–] Jameron 12 years ago

Hello Mads-26.

I think you need to step back and calm down. This is a discussion board for a film, this is not NATO or G8 deciding on a country's future, lol.

Firstly, I know Overseer-3 can be quite direct and less than tactful, but he wasn't pulling the juvenile bragging rights game that you accused him of.

Secondly, you didn't ever say "Her doctor or NURSE", you said "[her] doctor or psychologist", you didn't once mentioned "nurse".

Thirdly, you accuse Overseer-3 of putting words into your mouth, but that is exactly what you have done to him in two posts now.

So, your choice, do you want to discuss the film, or do you just want to throw insults around because someone points out an error in your thinking?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3tGxnFKfE

http://tinyurl.com/LTROI-story

[–] mads-26 12 years ago

True Jameron, I am mistaking in the mention of nurse, Sorry about that, you might not see it as "bragging rights" but when the 3 last posts from overseer all has been "I have seen directors commentary" "I have seen it 10 times at least" then I see that as lack of anything to say, and hence the juvinile bragging comment, I have not put words in his mouth (except if you count the Nurse statement).

I have tried to explain my point of view but has been met with quote:
"You're very confused", "You obviously haven't watched the film with the DIRECTOR'S commentary", "I've watched the film at least 10 times because I love it so. How many times have you watched it?", "you are more the stubborn "arrogant" one".

See no words put into Overseers mouth, just a simple lack of manners. And yet now I have been said to throw insults?
That you don't agree with me, it really don't make any difference to me, my life goes on, I can still watch this or any other movie without getting angry.

But it does seem at least with your last post that it was basically nitpicking that was the complains, like she was also in the very start and she was in the picture, so she is a real person, but that was something I never denied, I just said the "STEPMOTHER" was not a real person, and gave a suggestion of whom the she real person could be. And that started it all.

But I have spent way to much energy and time on this silly argument, my part in this is done.. Overseer You are hereby right, and I hereby gets peace, this argument is over.

[–] Jameron 12 years ago

"...you might not see it as "bragging rights" but when the 3 last posts from overseer all has been "I have seen directors commentary" "I have seen it 10 times at least" then I see that as lack of anything to say, and hence the juvinile bragging comment" - mads-26

If that was all he had said in those posts then you would be right to claim 'lack of anything to say'. However, he also made points pertaining to the discussion.

"I have not put words in his mouth (except if you count the Nurse statement)." - mads-26

Actually, with that one you were putting words into your own mouth.

Here is where you put words into Overseer's mouth ... "my dad is stronger than yours", "I watched the movie more than you, so I must be right in everything", "you misunderstand the movie".

The first one is where you are clearly trying to describe his attitude, but you used quote marks as if he had said that or something vaguely similar, which he has not.

The second, you were paraphrasing but you also added "so I must be right in everything"

The third, no-one has said that to you.

I'm not judging you, but you have put words into his mouth

"And yet now I have been said to throw insults? " - mads-26

"And you are overly arrogant", "maybe even read it twice to catch all the long and hard words.", "Let me help you and once again write the text:".

How can these statements be seen as anything other than insults. The first is a direct insult, the other two are implying that Overseer is stupid ... an insult.

"That you don't agree with me, it really don't make any difference to me, my life goes on, I can still watch this or any other movie without getting angry. " - mads-26

And that is the best attitude to take, it allows open discussion even including people you disagree with.

"But it does seem at least with your last post that it was basically nitpicking that was the complains, like she was also in the very start and she was in the picture, so she is a real person, but that was something I never denied, I just said the "STEPMOTHER" was not a real person, and gave a suggestion of whom the she real person could be. And that started it all. " - mads-26

I wasn't nitpicking, I was getting the facts right, there is a difference.

Eun-Joo was at the start of the story, fact. I didn't mention her being in the picture/(photographed with Moo-Hyeon), that was you. I was establishing that Eun-Joo is a real person that was already in the story, not that 'the stepmother' was a real person. And that Eun-Joo was the model for 'the stepmother' because of ill feelings that Su-Mi already had about her, not because Eun-Joo was her doctor (which she wasn't).

And yes, "that started it all", you suggested that Su-Mi used her doctor's likeness as a model for 'the stepmother', and I voiced my opinion that you were wrong, and gave reasons for my opinion ... isn't that what discussion boards are for?

"But I have spent way to much energy and time on this silly argument, my part in this is done.. Overseer You are hereby right, and I hereby gets peace, this argument is over." - mads-26

Okay, bye.

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- - - - - - - - - - -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3tGxnFKfE

http://tinyurl.com/LTROI-story

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

mads-26 no one is mad at you, we just feel you are confused a bit. That's no surprise, a lot of people are when they first watch it.

Also, just wish to point out that I am not a "he", I am a "she". ;) Overseer screen name means I "oversee" children. ;)

[–] Jameron 12 years ago

"Also, just wish to point out that I am not a "he", I am a "she". ;) Overseer screen name means I "oversee" children. ;)" - Overseer-3

Whoops, there I go, assuming stuff again.

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- - - - - - - - - - -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3tGxnFKfE

http://tinyurl.com/LTROI-story

[–] dubsoldiernz 12 years ago

mads, nobodies being arrogant - You're just flat out mistaken in your interpretation of the film, and overseer is just trying to show you the correct interpretation. Unlike some films this one is not ambiguous.

[–] Too_Late_The_Hero 12 years ago

hahaha never updated my post like 2 years ago... everyone should calm down. :D lol

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

LOL

I am tickled pink that people still think about this masterpiece years later. :)

It has stood the test of time and should now be considered a modern Classic.

[–] Too_Late_The_Hero 11 years ago

hahahaha OMG. that would be cool *wink*wink*