Has there ever been a Korean movie that has divided audiences so sharply? This refers to the film “Hope,” which remains a hot topic in movie communities even in its second week of release.
If the saying that a movie needs both “fans” and “haters” to be a hit is true, then “Hope” might just go on to become one of the biggest box office hits of all time. That’s how sharply divided opinions are. People are even saying, “Hope is either a 1 or a 10—there’s no middle ground.”
While some praise it as the “movie of a lifetime,” others dismiss it as “an all-time disaster.” It’s a truly peculiar film.
The blog of Lee Dong-jin, a film critic with a large following, has turned into a battleground over *Hope*. This is because he gave the film a rating of 4 out of 5, accompanied by a review describing it as “a bold ride through a bizarre free-for-all, with the entire film building to a massive crescendo.”
Some netizens who disliked “Hope” poured out criticism, asking, “Is it because of the director’s reputation?”, “Are you friends with the director?”, and “Is it for financial gain?” In response, the critic clarified, “I am not friends with the director, and it’s neither for the sake of the Korean film industry nor for money.”
“There are probably still people asking why I gave ‘Hope’ such a positive review,” he said, adding, “It’s a charming, original, and entertaining film with very strong merits that more than make up for its flaws.”
The film also received polarizing reviews from local media and critics at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival last May. While some walked out during the screening, many others gave it a standing ovation.
Audience members who gave “Hope” negative reviews primarily cited △the low quality of the computer graphics (CG), △awkward dialogue and tone, △the long runtime, △repeated profanity, and △the anticlimactic ending.
In contrast, audiences who praised the film gave high marks for △thrilling action △the sci-fi genre, which is rare in Korean cinema △its sense of humor △and its stunning visual aesthetics.
Film critic Yoon Seong-eun said, “It seems that fandom psychology is at play, causing people to react excessively sensitively to evaluations of the film,” adding, “Because it’s a work with a distinct genre identity and originality, reactions are polarized.”
Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun lamented the lack of tolerance for diverse tastes. He remarked, “Even if a work doesn’t align with one’s personal taste, we should be able to acknowledge its other merits; however, the way domestic popular culture is consumed tends to lack tolerance for others’ differing opinions.”
Director Na’s previous film, *The Wailing*, sparked numerous interpretations and gave rise to a culture of repeat viewings. Attention is now focused on whether *Hope* will also generate diverse interpretations and debates, thereby creating a box office buzz.
