One thing that distinguishes the Korean film industry is its youth. Since the late 1990s, a younger generation has taken control in the industry, and produced films that appeal to the predominantly under-30 moviegoing crowd (unlike the U.S. and Japan, Korea does not have a significant audience base over the age of 30). The formula has proved a success, with younger producers and filmmakers turning out films that are commercially successful while seeking out new directions in Korean cinema.
Director Moh Ji-eun, however, represents an even younger generation than the one that currently runs the industry. Last year at the age of 26, she directed her first feature A Perfect Match (Korean title: “If You Know Someone Nice, Introduce Me”) while still a student at the Korean Academy of Film Arts. A breezy romantic comedy which shows the influence of both Korean and Hollywood predecessors, A Perfect Match provides a showcase for two of Korea’s leading stars and an entertaining glimpse into Korean dating culture.
Hyo-jin, our lead, works as a “couple manager” in a leading matchmaking agency. With Korean society placing tremendous pressure on its people to get married at a proper age (27-30), young men and women seek out people like Hyo-jin to introduce them to prospective matches and help them to behave at their best. Hyo-jin herself remains unattached, though she lies to her friends about a supposed boyfriend living abroad. When she starts falling in love with one of her clients, however, her personal and professional lives become mixed in a volatile cocktail.
Shin Eun-kyung and Jung Jun-ho both made headlines last year for starring in the wildly successful gangster comedies My Wife is a Gangster and My Boss, My Hero, which between them sold over 9 million tickets. In A Perfect Match, however, both seem to feel more at ease with their acting, in roles which suit them well. Playing with the cliches of the genre without sacrificing her own personal style, Moh Ji-eun presents us with an enjoyable and touching film about matchmaking and romance.
Darcy Paquet