AV IDOL (2012)

Genre: Comedy
Director: Hideo JoJo
Cast: Yui Tatsumi, Yeo Min-Jeong
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Rating: R21 (Sexual Content)
Released By: Encore Films & Cathay-Keris Films
Official Website:

Opening Day: 25 April 2013

Synopsis: Here comes the brave, hot sexy idol! AV goddess Ryoko, who captivates Asian men’s hearts is getting tired of filming AV. When she hears that her next film is going to be made in Seoul, which is center of Korean wave, she feels somehow ominously. Sure enough,due to the insufficient production cost and inexperienced film crew, they face difficulties just upon arriving at the Incheon Int’l Airport. Whilst they get into all kinds of troubles, Ryoko accidentally meets Yuna, a wannabe idol star. Yuna mistakes Ryoko as a great idol actress. Ryoko lies to Yuna against her will and brings her to the AV film set. Meanwhile, the AV film director who is fascinated by Yuna’s freshness, casts her as the leading actress right away and plans a new ‘AV film’ starring Yuna. Are they going to finish the New Korean wave AV film after all?

Movie Review:

As the title of the movie suggests, AV Idol is a movie about an adult video star Ryoko (Tatsumi Yui). She and her crew embarked on their newest work… in Korea! This is probably not the first movie that attempts to borrow some fame from the Hallyu wave. However, this movie still comes across as quite ‘refreshing’. Although the AV industry is still the most active in Japan, with more and more erotic movies (such as The Scent and Red Vacance Black Wedding) sprouting out of Korea, just how would this collaboration turn out to be?

Veteran AV Idol seemed to have gotten tired of filming AV, but has to hold on just so she could pay off a hefty debt. To add on to her dread, she was even uninformed that the upcoming AV will be filmed in Korea. As their adventure begins, they had a rather rough start from the airport, having to explain to the Korean immigration officer of their ‘special equipment’. As you could only imagine, it evoked a fair bit of laughter.

As the story continues, the crew sets out to pick for an absolute stranger and greenhorn to star as the male lead for their AV. Extending from their previous encounter at the airport, they continue to make a great deal of joke out of their limited Korean language capabilities. Their first candidate surely did not turn out to be what they thought to be… and in turn created a rather unexpected and funny episode. As their filming gets delayed due to these undue happenings, Ryoko becomes even more frustrated and left the crew in the fit of anger. It was then that the idol wannabe, Yuna (Yeo Min-Jeong) chanced upon Ryoko.

What spurred out of another round of misinterpretation got Yuna really excited as she thought that Ryoko was a popular Japanese idol, to the extent of being ranked in the DVD sales! Ryoko, not wanting to spoil Yuna’s dream and imagination, just played along with it. Even until Yuna was brought to the AV filming set, Ryoko was unable to tell her the truth. Looking at a new possibility, the director changed the focus movie, and instead offered Yuna with the female lead role.

As one could already tell, the story of the movie seemed to be really quite unstructured and disorganized. There was a lot of chances and randomness, which actually worked to the benefit of the movie at times. Well, since what is important is the comedy and sex, which was so heavily publicized. So then, it leads one to question, ‘IS THERE REAL SEX?’ The answer is: it is hard not to have, especially when the female lead, Tatsumi Yui is a true AV idol, with at least 49 AV under her belt.

However, you should not pin high hopes on the sex, since this movie was trying very hard to balance between sex, comedy and story. The highlight of the movie is possibly the juxtaposition of the two main sex scenes (yes, the rest are just some tidbits and flashing of boobs). Of these two, one was considered to be professional work, while the other was a genuine and loving expression.

All in all, this movie was quite entertaining and fun, playing around with the culture differences and exposing some of the industrial ‘secrets’. But well, it was not gratifying enough in many senses. Also, the ending was too much of a cliché, as typical of MANY Japanese movies. The last 10 minutes was a forceful attempt fit in a conclusion, with the two heroines saving the day, making a name for themselves and a tad too much of awkwardness. 

Movie Rating:

(A humorous take on the story of an AV idol, all fleshed out! Not the most provocative and erotic one that you can find, but it should get you started)

Review by Tho Shu Ling