[Review] Film "Venus Talk" Brings Korean Sensibilities to "Sex and the City"

Get ready for an emotional ride of ups and downs filled with laughter, tears, and raunchy honesty. “Venus Talk” depicts themes relevant to  modern women everywhere, but with a dash of good-ol’ fashioned Korean drama. Here is “Venus Talk,” a story for women who aren’t afraid to take charge of their life.

The Characters and Set-up

-Independent TV producer Shin Hye (Uhm Jung Hwa)

Recently separated from her long-time boyfriend after he cheats on her with a much younger woman, Shin Hye’s love life is rekindled by a very young and handsome production assistant (Lee Jae Yoon). She can’t seem to get her hands off of him, and at the same time she tries to resist him as she struggles with their age-gap and rumors of their “scandalous” relationship circulating around the office.

-Self-assured housewife Mi Yeon (Moon So Ri)

Mi Yeon strongly believes that a woman’s life ends the moment she gives up on receiving love, so she works hard to maintain an active sex life with her husband (Lee Sung Min). What she doesn’t know is that he secretly takes viagra as her libido takes its toll on him. Adding to their marital problems, his fishing trips become more frequent, and Mi Yeon starts to suspect something fishy going on with her husband.

-Single mom Hae Young (Cho Min Soo) 

Hae Young feels like she is back in her 20s with her new carpenter boyfriend (Lee Kyeong Yeong) and dreams of marrying him someday. However, Hae Young is pulled further away from her dream with her grown-up daughter still living with her and her boyfriend not giving her what she wants.

The Verdict:

“Venus Talk,” directed by Kwon Chil In,  follows a tight-knit group of three 40-something friends going through the ups and downs of their lives and loves in modern day Seoul. It is “Sex and the City” meets Korean drama, starting off as a frank and light-hearted portrayal of the sexual escapades of these three women, then turning around to give an emotional punch right in your stomach with an unexpected twist that test the bonds of friendship and love.  

What grips you is the portrayal of the three main characters by actresses Uhm Jung Hwa, Moon So Ri, and Cho Min Soo. They bring honesty, confidence, and vulnerability to their otherwise stereotypical characters, connecting viewers to the emotional nuances of modern, cosmopolitan women. Cho Min Soo is especially a treat to watch as she sheds her dark and unapproachable image from her past work, the controversial 2012 film “Pieta” by director Kim Ki Duk, and transforms into the sweet, whimsical, and utterly feminine Hae Young. 

While many of the underlying issues between the three romantic relationships are glossed over in the end, “Venus Talk” remains an enjoyable watch that is sure to ignite a no- holds-barred girls’ night out. Also, make sure to watch out for a special cameo appearance by idol superstar BoA! 

Title: Venus Talk
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Language: Korean with English subtitles
Director: Kwon Chil-In
Presented by: Lotte Entertainment
Produced by: Myung Films
Distributed by: CJ Entertainment and Dream West Pictures
Original Release: February 13th, 2014
US Release: February 28th, 2014
Running Time: 108 minutes
Rating: NR (19+ in S. Korea)
US Release: February 28th, 2014

All images courtesy of CJ Entertainment 

*Crystalcove spends a lot of time fangirling bold and dashing heroes in movies and dramas, but nothing earns her respect more than a strong, kick-ass heroine.