Deborah Chan
How to Use Guys with Secret Tips is a 2013 South Korean romantic comedy film starring Lee Si-young and Oh Jung-se. The film follows the story of an overworked young woman, Choi Bo-na, who is having a streak of bad luck. She accidentally buys an old video tape set titled 'How to Use Guys With Secret Tips' and starts watching it out of curiosity. By following the video's instructions, she improves her situation at work and even manages to get a top star to fall for her. The film has been praised for its fresh and unique take on the romantic comedy genre, with a focus on gender inequality and societal issues. It has also been noted for its soundtrack, clever writing, and the strong performances of its lead actors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic comedy |
| Director | Lee Won-suk |
| Writer(s) | Wonsuk Lee, Hye-yeong No, Ha Soo-jin |
| Stars | Lee Si-young, Oh Jung-se, Park Yeong-gyu, Lee Seung-jae |
| Origin | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Release date | 2013 |
| Review | Mixed |
| Rating | 90% of gags land per one review |
| Tone | Black comedy, satirical |
| Themes | Gender inequality, hard work vs. shrewdness |
| Style | Fresh, cute, aesthetically pleasing |
| Soundtrack | Hip hop, pop, club beats, Ravel |
| Acting | Comedic timing, physical comedy, expressionistic |
| Chemistry | Good per most reviews |
| Story | Female-centric coming-of-age |
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What You'll Learn
The film's unique use of animation
The 2013 South Korean romantic comedy film "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips" makes unique use of animation. The film is about an overworked woman who tries to improve her standing with men and at work using a self-help video. The film's animation is described as "promiscuous" and "wacky," with backgrounds and visual patterns that fly by fast and furious. The animation is used to keep the film fresh and amusing, and it is said to have an appealing tongue-in-cheek craziness.
The film's director, Lee Won-suk, is praised for his frantic and inexhaustible imagination. The animation is used to recount the heroine's struggle to assert herself professionally in a casually sexist man's world. The bright colours and fast pace of the animation reflect the vibrancy of the film and its keen sense of style. The film is also said to have a great soundtrack, with a variety of music genres, including hip hop, pop, club beats, and Ravel.
The animation is used to create a world that is both cute and fresh, with a unique sense of style. The combination of animation and live-action is well-executed and adds to the film's overall charm. The film's unique use of animation sets it apart from other romantic comedies and helps to elevate the genre. The animation also allows for a more absurdist tone of comedy, which is a refreshing change from the usual South Korean rom-com tropes.
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The heroine's struggle to assert herself
The heroine of "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips", Choi Bo-na, is an overworked and unlucky young woman who struggles to assert herself professionally in a sexist workplace. She is considered "not so attractive" and is overlooked and underpaid by her male boss, who fails to acknowledge or respect her talents. In her personal life, she is unable to find a romantic partner and is even ignored by men on the street.
Bo-na's situation is emblematic of the challenges faced by women in a society where gender inequality is prevalent and where success is often determined by shrewdness rather than hard work. The film's director, Lee Won-suk, intentionally uses black comedy to address these issues without alienating teenage viewers, the film's primary audience.
Bo-na's turning point comes when she accidentally buys an old video tape set titled "How to Use Guys With Secret Tips". Out of curiosity, she begins to watch the video and implement its instructions in her own life. Through the video, she learns how to relate to men in both romantic and professional contexts.
By following the video's advice, Bo-na achieves success at work and even manages to attract the attention of a top star, Lee Seung-jae. However, the film also explores the challenges and negative emotions that can accompany romance, including jealousy, obsession, and dishonesty. Ultimately, the film portrays a realistic and plausible romance that focuses on how the protagonists navigate these emotions while still loving each other.
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The film's soundtrack and aesthetics
Twitch Film praised the film's "unique, vibrant and endlessly creative aesthetic" and director Lee Won-suk's "keen sense of style." The film has a bright and colourful palette, reflecting the light-hearted and humorous tone of the story. The set design is also worth mentioning, with cute and quirky details that add to the overall charm of the film.
The soundtrack is another standout element of the film. It features a diverse range of musical genres, including hip-hop, pop, club beats, and even classical pieces by Ravel. The music is used effectively to enhance the film's emotional impact and complement the various scenes. The use of indie music and upbeat club beats, in particular, contributes to the film's youthful and vibrant atmosphere.
The combination of the film's aesthetics and soundtrack creates a cohesive and engaging viewing experience. The colourful visuals and varied music work together to capture the audience's attention and enhance the storytelling.
The film's overall style and presentation add to its appeal, making it a delightful and refreshing addition to the romantic comedy genre. The unique aesthetic and well-curated soundtrack elevate the film, showcasing the director's creative vision and attention to detail.
The soundtrack and aesthetics of "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips" are carefully crafted and executed, contributing to the film's positive reception and leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
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The chemistry between the leads
The chemistry between the two leads in "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips" has been described as \"amazing\" by one reviewer. The leads bring a sense of "fun and carefree comedy" to every scene, while still making viewers invested in the story of the female protagonist, Choi Bo-na.
The female lead, played by Lee Si-young, is considered \"outstanding\" by some reviewers, who praise her charisma and natural, charming acting style. She is described as the \"foundation\" of the film, with her quirky yet dry humor succeeding in a \"laugh-out-loud\" fashion.
The male lead, played by Oh Jung-se, is described as a \"good sport\" by one reviewer, who notes that the character is a normal-looking guy with somewhat nerdy and creepy characteristics, rather than the typical prince-charming type.
The film has been praised for its comedic timing and multiple gags, with one reviewer noting that the film never feels like it is "trying too hard". The romance between the two leads involves negative feelings such as jealousy, obsession, and dishonesty, and the film focuses on how they still love each other despite these emotions.
While most reviewers praise the chemistry and comedic timing between the leads, one reviewer on IMDb states that there was "no real chemistry" between the lead actress and actor.
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The film's quirky and dry humour
The quirky yet oddly dry humour of "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips" is one of the film's most memorable aspects. The film is classified as a romantic comedy, but director Lee Won-suk has described it as more of a "fantasy". The story centres around a young woman, Choi Bo-na, who is struggling in her professional and personal life. She accidentally buys an old video tape set titled "How to Use Guys With Secret Tips", which promises to help her navigate her relationships with men.
The film's humour comes from a variety of sources. One reviewer noted that the comedy timing is perfect throughout, with multiple gags that are genuinely funny without feeling forced. The film's satire of the filmmaking process, with its portrayal of the commercial director Bona works for, adds a layer of humour that is sure to appeal to those in the industry. The animation used throughout the film also contributes to its quirky and amusing tone.
The film's soundtrack, which includes a range of genres from hip-hop to pop and even classical pieces by Ravel, enhances the humour and overall vibe. The acting, particularly by the two leads, Lee Si-young and Oh Jung-se, is also praised for its comedic timing and charm. Si-young's performance is described as outstanding, with her ability to venture into expressionistic acting in a natural and charming way.
One of the most unique aspects of the film's humour is its take on romance. Rather than portraying a typical prince-charming story, the film presents a more realistic and plausible narrative, including negative emotions such as jealousy, obsession, and dishonesty. The male protagonist is also portrayed as a normal-looking guy with somewhat nerdy and creepy characteristics, which adds a layer of dry humour to the story.
Overall, the quirky and dry humour of "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips" is a key element that sets it apart from other romantic comedies. The combination of clever writing, satirical themes, and charming performances creates a film that is both hilarious and endearing, leaving viewers with a smile on their faces.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie follows an overworked young woman who buys a video tape set titled "How to Use Guys With Secret Tips", which teaches her how to relate to men and succeed in a sexist workplace.
The movie explores gender inequality, the objectification of women, and the idea that shrewd people are more likely to succeed than those who simply work hard.
The movie stars Lee Si-young, Oh Jung-se, and Park Yeong-gyu.
It is a South Korean romantic comedy, with elements of black comedy and satire.
Reviews for the film are mixed. Some viewers found it delightful, funny, and refreshing, praising the acting, soundtrack, and chemistry between the leads. Others found it weak and predictable, with one reviewer stating that they didn't enjoy the movie at all.
