Innocent Steps

Innocent Steps (Daenseo-ui sunjeong)

Release Date : 2005
Director: Park Yeon Hoon
Writer: Park Gye Ok

Cast:
Moon Geun Yeong ... Chae Rin
Park Gun Hyung ... Young Sae




Reviewed By : totalhead

Moon Geun Yeong, gives an excellent performance playing the cute and loveable, Chae Rin, a once no talented dancer, who slowly works hard to learn to dance. I have always enjoyed Geun Yeong’s acting in My little Bride, and even in A tale of two Sisters, but Innocent Steps shows a wider range for her as she also masters dancing.

For those who refuse to watch this movie because it involves ballroom dancing, should give it another glance, the dancing is upbeat and addicting. Also this movie is more than a movie about dancing, its also romantic and has a bit of comedy.

Chae Rin, in order to remain in Korea fakes a marriage with Young-sae, the lead male actor who also needs Chae Rin in order to make his comeback as a dancer. Together they bond and grow to be more than dance partners.

I would give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. It’s cute, whimsical and the OST is awesome. At first I wondered if it were really the actors dancing, and although I still don’t know the answer, as you watch the cinematography their dance skills are phenomenal, it makes me wish I could Samba. All and all this is a feel good movie.


Reviewed By : iscpmc

**Spoiler Alert

Innocent Steps is a romantic comedy with a bittersweet twist. It is a story of a Korean girl, Jang Chae-rin, living in China, who travels to South Korea to pursue her dream to become a dancer. She impersonates her sister who bowed out of a sham marriage to a champion dance instructor, Na Young-sae, in order to learn how to dance. When Young-sae learned of the deception, he initially planned to send Chae-rin back, but he then realized that he needed a dance partner to replace his former partner who left him for his rival, Jeong Hyeon-su. Young-sae then trains Chae-rin himself. Despite a lack of training, she displays an eagerness to learn and a firm resolve to master her steps and slowly, she began to improve her skill. Things take an unexpected and darker twist when Hyeon-su decides to steal Chae-rin in the same way that he stole Young-sae’s former partner.

The first part of the film was very light and entertaining. In the tradition of Dirty Dancing, it showed Chae-rin’s transformation from a clumsy girl with two left feet to an exquisite dancer. It was also heartening to watch the love story between Young-sae and Chae-rin slowly unfold. More comedic relief was provided by the 2 immigration officers who tried to expose their sham marriage, but who ended up rooting for them instead.

In the second half, the film becomes more serious and realistic. It showed the darker side of the world of ballroom dancing. Young-sae again loses his partner, Chae-rin to his rival, Hyeon-su. But his time, he not only lost his dance partner but also the person he loves. You cannot help but feel the sadness, frustration and angst that Young-sae felt. The ending is both touching and bittersweet.

The chemistry between the movie’s 2 stars, Park Geon-hyeong and Moon Geun-young, was evident from beginning to end. It was a joy to watch their dance practice sessions and to see Chae-rin’s dancing skills improve as well as to observe their affection for each other develop.

I also love the way the movie adopts an “out of the box” concept of romantic comedies and deviates from the usual lighthearted and predictable endings which is the norm for this movie genre. Just when the viewers thought that this is a typical romantic comedy where the ending is very obvious, it suddenly takes a 360 degree turn and becomes gritty and realistic.

All in all, I enjoyed this film immensely despite the bittersweet twist in the end. I give it 4.5 out 5 stars.


Reviewed By : che2x_1st

This kmovie is really great. It is very exciting. Moon Geun Yeong had shown her versatility in this movie. She acted, sang and danced in this movie. She was wonderful. Park Gun Hyung on the other hand wasn't bad at all.

Although Moon Geun Yeong was a little younger looking than the guy, they showed to be not an overrated couple. The movie was not dragging and the plots, story line was worth remembering especially the part on how he teaches her how to dance and the fooprints paintings in the floor.

But what i really love about this movie is the dancing scenes. It's new and unique to be a theme in a movie. And the story depicted everthing from love to life.

And the OST was really good. Perfect for the scenes.

Overall, i give this movie 4.7 stars out of 5.