Please Teach Me English

Please Teach Me English is a delightful and funny South Korean rom-com directed by Kim Sung-su and released in 2003, starring well-known stars Lee Na-young and Jang Hyuk. Angela Kelly played a supporting role as an English teacher. This movie gives a unique twist on the romantic comedy genre by integrating the topic of learning English language, portraying it as both a humorous endeavor and a life-enhancing experience.

The movie revolves around the protagonists, Park Mun-su (Jang Hyuk) and Na Young-ju (Lee Na-young), with their journey of learning English ripe with laughter, love and life lessons. The story starts when Young-ju, an ordinary civil servant, fails to resolve a customer's query at her work because of the language barrier, as the customer only speaks English. Subsequently, her boss directs her to learn English, which leads her to an English class at a private language institute.

Meanwhile, Mun-su, a high school graduate running a shoe store, decides to join the same English class. His goal is to flirt with a beautiful Australian teacher, Cathy (Angela Kelly). Mun-su always had the charm and good looks to woo women, but to impress his beautiful Australian teacher, he needs to be able to express himself in English.

The class is a melting pot of diverse characters: a commercial pilot who wants to improve his English skills to become an international pilot, a Korean-American adoptee in search of her biological mom, an old man who attends the class in remembrance of his late wife who loved English, and many more. Each character is a vibrant thread in this tapestry, adding color and depth to the narrative.

Young-ju and Mun-su's paths cross on the first day of the class, but their acquaintance soon turns into rivalry as they both vie for class ranks and the title of 'Jjang'- the best student. Young-ju, the diligent rule-follower, sees Mun-su's laid-back and carefree attitude as an annoyance. Yet, as they sit next to each other and engage in daily exchanges, a subtle friendship begins to form, and their relationship navigation forms the heart of the story. The rivalry slowly evolves into companionship, companionship transcends into friendship and friendship flower into affection.

Lee Na-young's portrayal of Young-ju is endearing. She successfully captures the essence of the character with her quirky humor, innocence, and resilience. Her determination to learn English is not just to meet her work's demand but to better herself, showing a profound character depth.

Jang Hyuk's fit for the role of Mun-su is perfect. With his boyish charm and expressiveness, Jang Hyuk brings to life the role of a laid-back but essentially kind-hearted man. Despite his initial playful attitude towards learning, Mun-su's character slowly develops, reflecting maturity and sincerity under his carefree exterior.

Angela Kelly takes on the role of Cathy, the English class teacher. Cathy is the glue that keeps the class together while teaching with passion. Her character might be a supporting one, but her performance leaves an indelible mark.

The charm of Please Teach Me English goes beyond the usual romantic narrative. It is also a clever commentary on the South Korean society's craze over learning English. The contexts related to this language learning around the world have been portrayed through comical moments as well as some intense scenes.

In summary, Please Teach Me English is an entertaining watch with its unique blend of love, comedy, and life lessons. It interestingly draws parallels between the romance of the leads and their struggle with learning English, keeping the audience engaged and rooting for the characters. The film is not just about learning language; it's about personal growth, discovering one's strength, and overcoming challenges. The dynamic between Young-ju and Mun-su, embodied by the vibrant performances of Lee Na-young and Jang Hyuk, is the highlight of the movie, making it a delightful, must-watch romantic comedy.