A Boy and Sungreen
Native Title: 보희와 녹양Subtitle: English
Alternative English title: Bo Hui and Nok Yang , Bo Hui Wa Nok Yang
Directors:
Genres: Friendship, Family
Country: South Korea
Release Date: May 29, 2019
Duration: 1 hr. 39 min.
Synopsis: A Boy and Sungreen
Bo Hee is a sensitive high school student brought up by his mother. When he accidentally discovers that his allegedly deceased father may not be dead after all, Bo Hee investigates with his BFF Nokyang, nicknamed Sungreen, in tow. While trying to fill the void left behind by a lack of father figure in his life, Bo Hee unknowingly forms an improvised family when he identifies with his half-sister's weaker friendMain cast: A Boy and Sungreen
Seo Hyun Woo as Bo Hee’s father | Shin Dong Mi as Bo Hee’s mother | Ahn Ji Ho as Bo Hee | Kim Joo Ah as Nok YangAhn Ju-young's comical approach to a story about the gunfight between two high school students and the search for the father of one of the boys is a welcome addition to the ever-increasing number of Korean independent films with a focus on the younger generation. Although it never takes itself too seriously, Ahn's influential feature debut is somewhat hampered by a poorly performed climax.
Produced by the Korean Academy of Arts (KAFA), which has trained and cherished some of Korea's most iconic filmmakers, such as Bong Joon-ho, A Boy and Sungreen, could prove to be more successful domestically than overseas, since it is tailored to local target groups. Yet premiere at the Busan Ahn film festival will give some publicity, although his approach does not fill new ground.
The film follows the best friends Bohee (Ahn Ji-ho) and Nokyang (Kim Ju-a), who both have something in common: they were raised by single parents. Bohee (the titular "boy") was told by his mother that his father was killed in an accident, but after research with the help of the affable Nokyang ("Sungreen") whose mother died during labor, he that his mother could lie. His search takes him to a half-sister who is actually his cousin, and he forms a close relationship with her friend Sang-ok (Seo Hyun-woo) and fills the gap that his absent father has left behind.
However, as the title suggests, the friendship between Bohee and Nokyang is at the heart of the story and the unbreakable bond they have with each other. This all works very well, and it's a shame that the climax that reveals what happened to his father doesn't pay attention to the rest of the film. It is both clumsy and artificial, which can be disappointing for some target groups.
The leading figures of the film are well developed with tangible chemistry between the leads and supporting roles that infuse the story with affection, humor and energy. In this respect, the film is well cast, with striking performances by young leaders Ahn Ji-ho and Kim Ju-a. Seo Hyun-woo meanwhile brings some charisma to his role as an older brother. Production values are generally quite strong, except in some of the final stages of the film, where it becomes difficult.