If the Sun Rises in the West
Encyclopedia
If the Sun Rises in the West is a 1998 South Korean film, and was the commercial directorial debut of Lee Eun
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. By chance he meets Hyun-joo, a theatre major who crashes her car into a tree while he is on duty. Instead of fining her, Beom-soo gives her driving lessons and they soon become friends, exchanging letters with each other when Hyun-joo returns to university. When they next meet in person Beom-soo declares his love for her, only for Hyun-joo to reject him as she plans to go overseas to study.
Three years later, Beom-soo is making his debut as a professional baseball umpire, and his feelings of love are reignited when he realises that up-and-coming actress Yoo Ha-rin is none other than Hyun-joo. The two are eventually reunited via the baseball field and resume their relationship, though Hyun-joo's affections are also pursued by Ji-min, the president of an advertising company for which she has appeared in a series of commercials. Hyun-joo eventuntually rejects Ji-min and shows up at the opening game of the Korean Series
to throw the first ball, where she kisses Beom-soo in the middle of the field.
on 19 December 1998, and received a total of 145,752 admission in Seoul
.
' Notting Hill
, and said, "[If the Sun Rises in the West] accomplishes its modest directives and creates two characters we quickly warm to throughout their moments together. Lee Eun utilises tried-and-tested genre techniques, but it is hard to be too resistant to these when the story moves along so effortlessly." He also praised lead actress Ko So-young, saying that she "illuminates this popularist fable and lends her character some much needed humanity."
Lee Eun
Lee Eun is a director and producer of films in South Korea.-Filmography:As director*he Night Before Strike *If the Sun Rises in the West *Oh! Land of Dream As producer*Hello Brother...
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Plot
Beom-soo is a traffic control officer who aspires to become a baseball umpireUmpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
. By chance he meets Hyun-joo, a theatre major who crashes her car into a tree while he is on duty. Instead of fining her, Beom-soo gives her driving lessons and they soon become friends, exchanging letters with each other when Hyun-joo returns to university. When they next meet in person Beom-soo declares his love for her, only for Hyun-joo to reject him as she plans to go overseas to study.
Three years later, Beom-soo is making his debut as a professional baseball umpire, and his feelings of love are reignited when he realises that up-and-coming actress Yoo Ha-rin is none other than Hyun-joo. The two are eventually reunited via the baseball field and resume their relationship, though Hyun-joo's affections are also pursued by Ji-min, the president of an advertising company for which she has appeared in a series of commercials. Hyun-joo eventuntually rejects Ji-min and shows up at the opening game of the Korean Series
Korean Series
The Korean Series is the championship series of the Korea Baseball Organization. It has been held since the KBO's first season in and is the final series of in the post-season play-offs. From , the winner of the Korean Series goes on to play in the Asia Series....
to throw the first ball, where she kisses Beom-soo in the middle of the field.
Cast
- Lim Chang-jungLim Chang-jungYim Chang Jung is a South Korean actor and singer.-Filmography:-External links:...
... Beom-soo - Ko So-young ... Hyun-joo/Yoo Ha-rin
- Cha Seung-wonCha Seung-wonCha Seung-won is a top South Korean actor and former fashion model.- Career :Cha Seung-won dropped out of Sungkyunkwan University and began a successful career as a fashion model in 1988...
... Ji-min - Nam Hyeon-ju
- Myung Kae-nam
- Kang Chung-sik
- Park Yong-soo
- Yu Hyeong-gwan
- Lee Du-il
- Choi Yong-min
- Lee Beom-soo
Release
If the Sun Rises in the West opened in South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
on 19 December 1998, and received a total of 145,752 admission in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
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Critical response
Andrew Saroch of Far East Films compared the film favourably to Richard CurtisRichard Curtis
Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis, CBE is a New Zealand-born British screenwriter, music producer, actor and film director, known primarily for romantic comedy films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill, Love Actually and The Girl in the Café, as well as the hit...
' Notting Hill
Notting Hill (film)
Notting Hill is a 1999 British romantic comedy film set in Notting Hill, London, released on 21 May 1999. The screenplay was by Richard Curtis, who had written Four Weddings and a Funeral. It was produced by Duncan Kenworthy and directed by Roger Michell...
, and said, "[If the Sun Rises in the West] accomplishes its modest directives and creates two characters we quickly warm to throughout their moments together. Lee Eun utilises tried-and-tested genre techniques, but it is hard to be too resistant to these when the story moves along so effortlessly." He also praised lead actress Ko So-young, saying that she "illuminates this popularist fable and lends her character some much needed humanity."