Gwang-sik has never been particularly good at talking to women. While a university student, he fell hard for a woman named Yun-kyung, but circumstances and his lack of nerve prevented him from ever getting close to her, despite the fact that she seemed to be interested in him. Years later Gwang-sik, who now runs a small photography studio, runs into Yun-kyung again. But has anything really changed in him?
Gwang-sik has a younger brother, Gwang-tae. Gwang-tae experiences none of the problems that plague Gwang-sik. Picking up women is almost an unconscious habit for him. Getting them into bed is a piece of cake. Disposing of them afterwards is no less easy, excepting the times when they hunt him down and throw rocks through his window. One day, however, he meets a woman named Kyung-jae who is just a little too smart, too attractive, and too mature for him to handle. Suddenly, he feels just as confused about relationships as his brother Gwang-sik.
Comedies that rely on character rather than slapstick or funny situations often last longer in the memory, and When Romance Meets Destiny (Korean title: “Gwang-sik’s Younger Brother Gwang-tae”) is one of the most memorable Korean comedies of 2005. Director/screenwriter Kim Hyun-seok offers up a lot of great dialogue, a few unexpected turns in the plot, and platefuls of bittersweet humor, making for a pleasant cinematic surprise, despite a slightly disappointing ending.
More than anything, this film illustrates the power of good casting. While none of the actors qualify as a top star, each performer is so perfectly suited to his or her role, and the combination of roles are so interesting, that audiences were naturally intrigued, and the film sold well over two million tickets. This, perhaps, is the real power behind Korea’s star system.