A new year is starting at a rural elementary school and all the kids in Ms. Yeo’s class are groaning and complaining because of her touchy, moody teaching style. However, when a new girl, Mi-nam, and a handsome, swoon-inducing art teacher, Mr. Kwon join the school, things get a bit interesting. Yeo falls him at first sight and Mi-nam develops a rather unhealthy schoolgirl crush as well. As they realize the other’s motives, a bitter rivalry emerges and the two compete for his affections.
But this only covers part of the story. Despite the appealing premise, the first half goes downhill very quickly. It’s riddled with odd pacing errors, unsympathetic characters, nothing truly funny and intense awkwardness as 11-year-old Mi-nam makes many escalating advances on her teacher. The most memorable comedic moments involve characters being horrifically embarrassed, which can only go so far before it loses its strength. There are other quick flashes of genius— especially in the brutally honest daydream scenes flashing inside Ms. Yeo’s head, but it’s simply a sporadic laugh here and there. The first half does its best work by introducing the characters.
Yum Jung-ah makes Ms. Yeo very distinctive and unlikable with a rationed share of mugging and a great deal of yelling. Her fine acting (along with nice subtleties in later parts of the script) is apparent as she wins the audience’s heart over so late in the film without compromising anything in Ms. Yeo’s personality. Lee Se-yeong does a great job as the quiet, yet effective Mi-nam, despite a difficult character and her young age. She performs on such a fine line of earnestness and subtle manipulation in those creepy scenes when she hugs Mr. Kwon or asks him about kissing while they sit at a romantic spot. Lee Ji-hun is also adequate as Kwon— the calm, warm inverse to Ms. Yeo.
But besides its effective introduction of these personalities, the first two acts do not fare well. Many elements seem to attempt a satirical edge, like the strangely mature children, the Kwon/Mi-nam relationship, or Yeo’s desperate and pathetic personality. But none of the humor ever comes across. It lacks the punch of a successful comedy, but it is far too unbelievable to be taken as a drama.
The film only finds its purpose in the third act, as it becomes a drama. The theme of rural teachers leaving for the city becomes a relevant and interesting angle. Ms. Yeo finally has the chance to redeem herself and earn the audience’s sympathy. And all the characters are now treated like humans with drama—however contrived it might seem—that is far more effective than the lighter material. Character motivations are revealed, the audience’s attention is recaptured and the movie ends on a satisfying, organized note.
But while it’s certainly a fascinating experiment to watch a tedious and unengaging movie for over an hour and then somehow be won over so late in the game, it is hard to imagine many viewers will be so curious and patient enough to endure it.
Reviewed by Tarun
