Fridae

A man and a woman meeting under unique circumstances? Check. A good-looking playboy who just can't seem to commit? Check. A pretty woman with a terminal illness that may lead to an early demise? Check. A romantic weepie that beats you senseless with the melodrama stick? Check.

Now and Forever is the quintessential Korean melodrama, but boy it manages to do an excellent job. There will be guaranteed be few dry eyes in the audience by the time the credits roll.

Kyung-Min (Jo Han-Sun), the wealthy owner of a game software company, is a player — he changes girlfriends like the drag queen changing clothes, but when he meets Hye-Won (Choi Ji-Woo), he actually falls head over heels in love with her. Unfortunately, Hye-Won has hidden from Kyung-Min a very important piece of information — she's afflicted with a terminal illness, and it is only a matter of time before time runs out for her. However, Kyung-Min is determined to win her heart, even when he discovers Hye-Won's secret. Will she accept his love, even though their relationship will be founded on borrowed time?

Now and Forever starts out slightly tongue-in-cheek, and a few rather mirthful moments ensue. The tone changes quite drastically after a couple of reels, however, and the movie wades into the deep end of drama. This is not a bad thing, as most moviegoers would have already psyched themselves for such a turn of events from the get-go.

Kyung-Min transforms into a man that anyone would fall for, and despite most of the film moving along rather predictably, director Kim Seong-Jung still has a few surprises up his sleeve. It also doesn't hurt that both Jo Han-Sun and Choi Ji-Woo are very pleasing to the eye.

If you are in the mood for some bawling in the dark, Now and Forever is the best pick of the week.