Director: Kim Dae Woo.

Starring: Song Seung Heon, Lim Ji Yeon, Jo Yeo Jeong, On Ju Wan, Yu Hae Jin.

Running Time: 132 Minutes

Synopsis: Set in 1969 on a South Korean military base, a respected and married colonel falls for the wife of his new subordinate.

Director Kim Dae Woo has plunged the murky depths of forbidden love twice before, in both THE SERVANT and FORBIDDEN QUEST. He’s also written AN AFFAIR and Dangerous Liaisons adaptation UNTOLD SCANDAL. It’s therefore safe to assume that here is a man who understands period pieces and complicated love stories.

OBSESSION differs slightly in that it only goes back to the late 1960s, which immediately evokes memories of Wong Kar Wai’s IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE and 2046, as well as Ang Lee’s LUST CAUTION. The most notable element at first is the rich cinematography. Everything has a slightly sunset tone to it with a great use of orange and gold lights. This brings out the kind of warmth you feel in winter, when everything is freezing outside but you’re tucked up safe and warm. No wonder people are lured into extramarital affairs when everything looks this inviting.

As our main characters battle against their feelings at first, we question whether this will be love that is never acted upon, as in A BRIEF ENCOUNTER, but Kim soon gets to the raunchier scenes, which are handled with meticulous care. They capture the uncertainty, danger, and arousal, and successfully leave judgement on the floor with the pile of clothes. As things heat up in the bedroom, Jin Pyeong (Song) and Ga Heun (Lim), are soon battling with their responsibilities and social standings. As military families, there is more at stake than just divorce, and it’s a shame that the script doesn’t quite capitalise on what to do after the affair.

It seems as though we are being asked to like and identify with the characters, and yet they act so dismissive of their respective partners that it becomes a turn off. The film just decides to make a big reveal whenever best suits the writer, and it really could have come at any point, and it is then that a mature and engaging romance turns into melodramatic farce. Korea is known for its melodrama, and I can only assume that Kim was wrestling his writing pen away from introducing such overblown nonsense earlier.  An unnecessary prologue just adds insult to injury.

Brilliant performances, and chemistry that truly sizzles is certainly enough to make this a very worthwhile film, and when paired with exceptional costume design, make-up and hairstyling, you feel as though the 60s are truly alive and well. Like the idea of an affair itself, the film looks amazing, and it certainly provides enough reasons to go through with it, but after the looks and excitement has faded, you’re left feeling empty, confused, and wishing you could go back to the way things were.

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