Architecture 101 (2012)

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Many contributors have blamed Seung Min for not helping Seo Yeon when she was drunk with strong possibility that she was subsequently raped. Let us examined the issue. 1) Seo Yeon has confessed that she has a crush on Jae Wook . In fact she admitted she took the Architect 101 course because of Jae Wook and she openly flirted with him in his car that she would like to visit his house notwithstanding the poor Seung- Min is lying in the back seat. Worst still she openly denied that she is in a relationship with Seung-Min in order to be closer to Jae Woo. She does not even has the decency to take into consideration the feeling of Seung MIn. Infact she joined Jae Woo in laughing Seung-Min for wearing a fake T Shirt ! 2) What about Seo Yeon. Is it not her own responsibility to ensure that she does not get herself drunk. If you get yourself drunk then you are very vulnerable and you got yourself to be blamed. Seo Yeon has a drinking bling with Jae Wook whom she has a crush. 3) If Seo Yeon is indeed raped by Jae - Wook did she lodge a report with the police for action taken against Jae Wook. If not why ?Looking at all the above maybe Seung Min has taken the right step for not getting himself involved.As to whether Seung Min should rekindle his 1st love with Seo Yeon. The answer is NO as much time has passed. (1) Most importantly Seung Min now have a beautiful fiance who really love and support him and their relationship is soo advance that they are about to get married. If he lose her it will be the biggest mistake of his life (2) Sorry to say Seo Yeon has turned out to be a gold digger and she openly confessed that she is now divorced from her ex husband who is a doctor and she married him for his money (3). Lastly Seo Yeon has never showed any feeling and affection towards Seung Min. Seung Min kissed her and she admitted it is also her first kiss but no response from her. She is so cold blooded. The only time she is excited is when Jae Wook is around. When Seung Min openly declared to her that he is no longer interested in her as he is badly hurt by her sadly Seo Yeon just accepted it with her normal cold blooded self and no efforts on her part to "fight" to retain Seung Min She must be really stupid to have a crush on Jae Wook who is a well known playboy just because he has a house and a car with devastating consequences. If only she has cherished her 1st love, Seung MIn she would have a happy life . Very sad to see Seo Yeon sat ALONE at the window listening to her favourite song with the aeroplane (assuming carrying Seung Min and his fiancee to USA) flying above her. Yes Seo Yeon has alot of money ( Oh I nearly forgotten that she now has a beautiful house) but loveless and lonely which is so pitiful. With such a character it is her destiny to has a lonely life. Lastly with a hindsight even if these 1st love couple managed to over all the obstacles and married in the past (not present) I doubt their marriage will last as Seo Yeon is very materialistic and Seung Min might not be able to provide the standard of living which Seo Yeon wants.

Successfully illustrates delicate and complex emotions of people living in the modern Korea by following the plot going back and forth in time. The people in this movie have all of their own lives and they are expressed indirectly all over the film. I guess you can find someone who you mirror yourself. The cinematography are well thought out to illustrate emotions of characters in my point of view. Especially I feel the strong sympathy with Seung-min when he is standing in front of Seo-yeon's place. It reminded me of the past nostalgic young days.

The feeling of taking action one moment too late. It is clear from reading other's reviews this is something many people experience. You wait, and you worry, and you plan, and you ponder what might be. Only to find some excuse to back out once you actually built up to courage to follow through.Most Hollywood films would have you believe that if you put yourself out there, you'll earn the respect and love of whoever you happen to be pining over (mostly from the male perspective). Architecture 101 presents what is the reality for most us: we don't know what we're doing.Like a few others, I was taken aback by the protagonist's inaction when it came to Seo-Yeon being drunk. I attributed it to Korea's drinking culture and the dubious nature of Korean university clubs (circles). But once I took a step back, I realized this fit right in the arc of Seung-Min's character. He doesn't like confrontation and will maintain the status quo."Under pressure, you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training." -Modern version of a quote by ArchilochusSeung-Min doesn't cut off ties with Seo-Yeon because he feels betrayed, it's because he feels he has betrayed her. He knew the kind of person their sunbae was, but he didn't do anything to stop the situation from happening. You can see the guilt scarring him deeply. He notices Seo-Yeon rejecting the advances of the sunbae, so she isn't a willing participant, but Seung-Min still can't bring himself to do anything.The sunbae isn't made out to be some sort of monster because he gets women drunk to get in bed with them. He isn't. He is wrapped up in the culture around him, despite knowing what he is doing isn't the most scrupulous. He dodges around the topic and only says enough to sound cool to his underclassmen.I really appreciate the subtlety the director and writers weaved into the story. There are so many details and motifs that could be missed easily. Ex. The seeds Seo-Yeon planted and kept secret didn't sprout, the same as their relationship; mementos.

If you are a male or female who has ever had a childhood crush, this story is too familiar. Architecture 101 will take you through a painful, realistic, and gut-wrenching memoir of growing up next to the childhood love of your life - those best days of your life. However, I have just one major gripe that ruined the movie for me.The acting and dialogue are candid, the cinematography beautiful, and the tragic moments are (in the Korean dramatic fashion) unapologetically tragic. It is not the type of movie to make you cry outright, but it will make you breathe quickly and feel a deep, naive longing. The thing that ruined the movie for me is this: in one of the scenes, a drunk girl is presumably taken advantage of while a boy who is watching not only does nothing to confront the aggressor, but leaves the scene and cries about his misfortunes of liking her with one of his friends, who consequently calls her worse than a w****. Doesn't that make you cringe? It's appalling how this scene isn't rectified; if it had been, Architecture 101 would be one of my favorite movies. Otherwise, it makes me uncomfortable to recommend something that advertises such a cowardly and misogynistic action. So if you feel like there was maybe a little something off about that scene, please know that you are not alone.Would-be 8/10, but marked down for the reasons above.And for the would-be haters, I am a 19 y.o. male (not that it makes a difference to my review).6/10