Opening Day: 13 April 2006

Synopsis:

Min-Jun (SONG Il-Kook) and Ji-Won (SON Ye-Jin) are so-called the first-rate "players" who are dating gurus with 100% success rates in any dating pursuits. Following her usual systematic dating rules, Ji-Won fakes a schematic car accident to capture Min-Jun's attention and successfully approaches him.

However, her smooth-sailing dating life finally encounters turbulence. Why in the world is this guy not succumbing to her alluring charm? Ironically enough, Min-Jun is also overwhelmed by the understanding that he has met his match. However, like the veteran players that they are, these two shouldn't show any signs of weakness in their dating tactics. Who will emerge
victorious and become the last player standing?

Movie Review:

Swinging singles or commonly known as seducers and seductresses have been in existence for centuries. In 52 B.C., the likes of Cleopatra seduced both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Of course, there have been infamous seducers who have been often glorified and vilified, Casanova and Don Juan. Then, there were the fictional ones like Mrs. Robinson of The Graduate fame and the evergreen James Bond. And now, attempting to make their way into the books are Koreans, Han Ji-Won and Seo Min-Jun. Say who? Read on.

Ji-Won (Son Ye-Jin) and Min-Jun (Song Il-Kook) are two individuals who are able to attract and seduce any guy/girl respectively. And in true Don Juan fashion, both of them get easily bored with their prizes and are always prepared with a ditching scheme as they are when seducing. Naturally, the two meet each other, realizing soon enough they have met their match and in turn, a quirky and chaotic process ensues in determining the winner.

In truth, The Art of Seduction feels like a dedication to the charm of Son Ye-Jin. Sure, Son is convincing in her role as the puppy-eyed vixen with her cutesy antics. But there was this air about Son that lit up the screen every time she appeared, splashing the film with much needed youthful vigour and vivacious nature. This is a stark contrast to her turn in April Snow in which she was clearly overshadowed by Bae Yong Joon. The consolation on the other hand, is the comfort in knowing that Son is comfortable on screen with her ability to swing both ways. Urm…the ability to switch between a drama and a comedy I mean.

While the film starts off on the right foot, introducing the audience to both players in the game and the ways they seduce and then dump their prey. In just a short sequence, partners will naturally throw slight glances at each other, trying to press each other into feeling guilty. When Ji-Won and Min-Jun finally stumble upon each other at a clinic and wanting to claim the other as a captive, the film picks up. There is one particular scene which led to the two ending up on an island and having to stay overnight is over the top funny. But there are also scenes that are over the top boring, especially when certain seduction tactics were being repeated time and again. This causes the film to lose its steam as it progresses and the awfully acceptable runtime starts to drag.

The most disturbing aspect of The Art of Seduction would have to be its male lead. The apple does not fall far from the tree angle felt a little disturbing having a father whose libido is just as alive as his son’s. Also, while Song has the physique and voice, the chemistry between his character and Son’s is at an all time low. In their pursuit of seduction, their courtship lacked believability that even a tiny glimmer of a spark would fizzle. Try watching The Classic or A Moment to Remember and you will probably have a clearer picture of what it feels to describe the romance of having flowers in the sky.

Should various scenes be cut from the film, it would probably be much tighter and not affect what the film has set to achieve. Eventually, for a film that proclaims that it is about the art of seduction, it will leave one’s desire waning.

Movie Rating:

( A quirky and charming film but that alone describes Son Ye-Jin)

Review by Mohamad Shaifulbahri