I wasn't sure what to expect from The Gingko Bed, but I will say this: the film completely defied whatever expectations I had. The film begins with a closeup of what seems to be a family photo with accompanying sombre voice-over, and it would seem we're heading for an angst and/or guilt ridden character study. Cut to two hyperstylized trees in the countryside, which change colors, drop leaves, and get hit by lightning whilst a hawk watches from nearby. Then we're in modern day South Korea, and a tall man rips the heart out of a would be rapist, suggesting that this is going to be a film about a vengeance seeking spirit ala The Crow. Then...well, you'd better watch the film to find out what happens next. Amongst the elements are a handcarved bed with a history, a beautiful ghost, and a man who donates his eyes to science--whilst he's still alive. A superb soundtrack by Dong-Jun Lee is the final icing on this rather surreal cake--a unique, horror-romance-art film that will definitely keep your attention.
7 Reviews
Oddly Bad
NIXFLIX-DOT-COM6 September 2003
GINGKO BED is a strange movie. It's very convoluted, as if it had a lot of ideas but lacked the ability to bring them all into one coherent story. Instead, we get various plotlines that diverges into their own separate little movies. Oh sure, they eventually meet up in the end, but it all seems rather...superfluous. Of note is the girlfriend and her troubles at the hospital. Was this...interesting? Then there were the "we are spirits, thus we have no physicality" elements, which leads to the same problem that people had with GHOST, namely: If the characters have no physicality (i.e. no corporeal form) and they can phase through walls and what not, how exactly do they keep from falling through the floor, or float up the ceiling for that matter?
GINGKO BED was highly touted as a new breed of South Korean film. There's plenty of special effects, but the movie itself is hollow and its faux melodrama will only "touch" those who are easy to, well, touch to begin with.
4 out of 10
(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie and reviews of other foreign films)
GINGKO BED was highly touted as a new breed of South Korean film. There's plenty of special effects, but the movie itself is hollow and its faux melodrama will only "touch" those who are easy to, well, touch to begin with.
4 out of 10
(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie and reviews of other foreign films)
Soporific story with great visuals and shocks!
lost-in-limbo15 October 2005
An art teacher comes across an antique wooden bed made from gingko trees and puts it in his apartment, but it has a terrible history and he becomes hunted by a ancient spirit who sustains his human form by ripping the hearts out of people.
This beautifully crafted horror well, actually it's more fantasy/romance than anything else does raise some chills and provide some stunning visuals, but the plot was hardly interesting enough and the formulaic script lacked any sort of life. Problem was that I spent most of the time trying to keep my finger away from the fast forward button. It sure would have sped up the film's slow pacing, but then again I wouldn't know about too much that was going on, which was reasonably hard to figure out or keep interest in the first place. The performances ranged from too melodramatic or just plain dull, and that's probably because these characters are unconvincing, stale and coma inducing. The actual back-story of the old bed and the spirits is incredibly boring and messily put together, with too much focus on a flimsy romance, being laughable when it shouldn't be and overall it's constructed in an ordinary manner that just lacks the oomph or conviction to carry the film. What compensates for the story's shortcomings are really arty images, which looked grand, but the use of some images had me somewhat dumbfounded to what they actually mean towards the film. What catches your eye is the faded colour scheme, but sometimes the actual screen would look real grainy, or snowy. Although, from that it shows the raw intensity of the production valves, but also add some nice polished effects that goes well with the soothing but sometimes edgy score. The camera work was pretty diverse (although it didn't add too much to the feature), but during some of the more upbeat scenes there were too many close ups or dark lighting which made it hard to understand what you are seeing. Also on show are some nice moments of blood and gore, but not overtly grand or distinguishable from most other films.
Lethargically odd film, with luminous images that look like something out of a painting, but still it isn't particularly enticing. Watch out, it might put you in a deep trance!
This beautifully crafted horror well, actually it's more fantasy/romance than anything else does raise some chills and provide some stunning visuals, but the plot was hardly interesting enough and the formulaic script lacked any sort of life. Problem was that I spent most of the time trying to keep my finger away from the fast forward button. It sure would have sped up the film's slow pacing, but then again I wouldn't know about too much that was going on, which was reasonably hard to figure out or keep interest in the first place. The performances ranged from too melodramatic or just plain dull, and that's probably because these characters are unconvincing, stale and coma inducing. The actual back-story of the old bed and the spirits is incredibly boring and messily put together, with too much focus on a flimsy romance, being laughable when it shouldn't be and overall it's constructed in an ordinary manner that just lacks the oomph or conviction to carry the film. What compensates for the story's shortcomings are really arty images, which looked grand, but the use of some images had me somewhat dumbfounded to what they actually mean towards the film. What catches your eye is the faded colour scheme, but sometimes the actual screen would look real grainy, or snowy. Although, from that it shows the raw intensity of the production valves, but also add some nice polished effects that goes well with the soothing but sometimes edgy score. The camera work was pretty diverse (although it didn't add too much to the feature), but during some of the more upbeat scenes there were too many close ups or dark lighting which made it hard to understand what you are seeing. Also on show are some nice moments of blood and gore, but not overtly grand or distinguishable from most other films.
Lethargically odd film, with luminous images that look like something out of a painting, but still it isn't particularly enticing. Watch out, it might put you in a deep trance!
Excellent cinematography & Music, Revolution in Korean movie!
Jaehuk19 March 1999
I saw this 3 years ago when I was in Army. The director of "Gingko bed" took mega hit his second work -- is called "SWIRI" --espionage thriller between North Korea & South Korea.(this movie is threatening total gross of "Titanic" in these days in Korea) What I like to say is this movie is a milestone of Korean movie-- especially cinematography, special effects. Soundtrack of this movie is very beautiful.. But, story lacks tense and climax, but overall this movie had captivated korean people's feeling -- grudge, sorrow, shame..
I hope this movie will be reproduced in English caption, better sound, and picture quality. So other sides of the people will understand Korea and Korean culture.
I hope this movie will be reproduced in English caption, better sound, and picture quality. So other sides of the people will understand Korea and Korean culture.
Beautiful, Haunting !!
Snapesnape28 July 2000
I think this film was a turning point in Korean movie history in its music score(which is a excellent combination between Western element and Korean traditional music instrument), concept( reborn, everlasting love, revenge.. )etc. it means this movie gave us the hope that we(Korean movie industry)can make various kinds of films.
Princess Bidan falls in love with lower-class servant su-hyun. they secretly meet each other in Palace, happily enjoy their own time. but General Hwang has an unstoppable love-obsession with Princess Bidan. General Hwang invade her country and ruins everything and captures Bidan. but Princess never open her mind to him and Hwang's one-way love leads these to tragedy. However, Its main stage is a Modern times, after 1000 years, Su-hyun got reborn, but not Bidan. General Hwang's curse never let this poor lovers get together.
Cinematography is beautiful, stunning, Music score is just Magnificent, Unforgettable. Costume Design was also excellent.
but Frankly speaking, there are lots of flaw in authentication. at first it's not clear what period, country this film based on. The Costumes seems to belong to China. and this film reminds me a Wonderful Hong-kong SF movie "Chinese Ghost Story" in some scenes. but it doesn't big deal. l love this one and want to ignore all the flaws.
Worth Seeing!!!
Princess Bidan falls in love with lower-class servant su-hyun. they secretly meet each other in Palace, happily enjoy their own time. but General Hwang has an unstoppable love-obsession with Princess Bidan. General Hwang invade her country and ruins everything and captures Bidan. but Princess never open her mind to him and Hwang's one-way love leads these to tragedy. However, Its main stage is a Modern times, after 1000 years, Su-hyun got reborn, but not Bidan. General Hwang's curse never let this poor lovers get together.
Cinematography is beautiful, stunning, Music score is just Magnificent, Unforgettable. Costume Design was also excellent.
but Frankly speaking, there are lots of flaw in authentication. at first it's not clear what period, country this film based on. The Costumes seems to belong to China. and this film reminds me a Wonderful Hong-kong SF movie "Chinese Ghost Story" in some scenes. but it doesn't big deal. l love this one and want to ignore all the flaws.
Worth Seeing!!!
loved it
thefrenchguy66627 October 2005
Eunhaengnamoo Chimdae or "Gingko Bed" is a beautiful and moving film. When i first saw it, i didn't expect it to be so good. It has a great concept about the endless power of love. And how no one can stop love, no matter how powerful they are. But what made this movie so moving was the score. The lovers theme just made the movie that extra bit beautiful. It brings a tear to your eye. The direction was good, and you really care about the characters. Which i think is a key element to any good film. Hyeon-jun Shin's performance was great, every film i've seen him in, he's been great. He also stars in Bichunmoo or "Flying Warriors" which is a must see. I really love this movie. If you haven't seen it i strongly suggest u do.
Not bad!
mario-kainer22 July 2003
I must say that when I see the trailer, I think this movie is real good! But when I see the movie I can just say: Not bad. The director present us very pretty Locations and the story is also not bad. But the end of the movie is so harmless! My ratting: 6 of 10
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