Program Note
Having transferred three times already, ‘Gin,’ who is attending high school for five years, heads for a bath hotel run by his grandparents after hearing the news that his grandfather is seriously ill. ‘Lihan’ and ‘Lu,’ suffering from bullying at school, follow Gin like escaping from school. The two friends expected a decent inn, but what they faced was a spooky old place as if it came out from A Chinese Ghost Story. Ghastly bubbles from nowhere arise from the spring, and eventually they see a ghost. Although the vibes of horror movies hang from the opening, this movie is more like a cheerful teen comedy about haunted-house adventure. The movie gives a feeling of tenderness and friendliness as Gin’s unrevealed family history is added to the movie. However, as soon as the flow becomes loose, the movie rebounds with slapstick comedy or atmosphere of horror. It gives an impression that the movie itself cannot endure boredom. With an unforeseeable transition and grandparents’ fishy identity who hardly show themselves added to the story, it also has a fun of mystery genre. The synergy between the three young actors is also excellent. This is a movie which conveys a variety of entertaining pleasure. (KIM Hyun-min)