Love So Divine, Korean Drama, Starring Ha Ji Won and Kwon Sang Woo

Love so Divine was shown in Korea, August 2004, though this is already a 7 year old movie, I consider this still a "must see" movie especially to those who just became "Ha Ji Won" fans. Just like me, I know they are also curious about their idol's former works, and the way she looks in her younger days. She played Yang Bong-Hee, a liberated, careless, gal who came from America to visit his priest uncle and to meet her fiancee.

The Leading man is equally popular Kwon Sang Wo, Korean novela fanatics must be familiar with him, he was Cholo in Stairway to Heaven, He played opposite Lee Yo Won in Bad Love, and recently opposite Go hyun Jung in "Big Thing" or Daemul, another Korean Novela airing in the Philippines.In love so Divine, he portrayed the role of Kim Kyu-Sik, a determined Seminarian expecting to be ordained as a priest.

For sure, reviews about this were written years ago, so I will not focus much on the story anymore, but more on what I've noticed about the film.

Deo Gratias, A Latin Phrase that means "Thanks be to God". The Seminarian Kim Kyusik always said this phrase. At the start of the movie when he woke up fellow seminarians, this is his opening phrase. I can't forget the part when he was telling Bong Hee about the phrase, He said "when you are too shy to express your love just say Deo gratias",

When Kyusik and Friend rode a bus to go back to the seminary for their ordainment, the school girl whom they met in the town where they had their punishment rode the bus too only to let Kyusik read the love letter she wrote for her crush, there was a part in the letter that the girl said "deo gratias" obviously she did not know the meaning of it. The girl asked him about the meaning of "Deo Gratias", because she heard Bong Hee said those words whenever he (Kim Kyusik) passed by, the girl even said she thought it was the a kind of curse. I guess this is the link that made Kim Kyusik more confused.

Kim Kyu sik is the more serious seminarian as compared to his naughty and curious friend played by actor Kwin in Kwon, Kim Kyusik got into trouble because of him. But in the latter part of the story he was the one who became a priest.

One of the tasks assigned to Kyusik is to convince Bong Hee to get baptized. But it was not easy dealing with the careless, outspoken girl... During times when he wants to give up, his friend shundal always reminded him that Bong Hee is his Lamb that losts her way so he must lead her.

Working together in the orphanage, and always following her to keep her safe, made the love started to grow for each of them

Kim Kyusik has a very interesting and touching story for his locket. He told this story to Bong Hee, he said when he was younger, his father gave him this locket, As expression of his love for his parents, he put their picture inside the locket. When his father saw it, his father said "you should only place your greatest love's photo here". the father removed thier picture and replaced it with the photo of Mama Mary.

At the church, after the announcement that Kyusik and Shundal will be going back to the seminary for their ordination Kyusik gave the locket to Bong Hee, but he did not give it directly to her but just placed it on top of her handkercchief.

At time of his ordinatiion, he decided not to pursue with it, while at the airport, Bong Hee was with her ex boyfriend, she did not accept his proposal but they remained friends. At the airport too she decided to look at the locket that Kyusik gave her, when she opened it there was no photo inside but a small mirror, enough for Bong Hee to see herself.... and it was then she realized what Kyu sik wanted to tell her, The He loves her, and she is now his greatest love.

I Like the latter part, when Bong Hee returned to the church where her uncle serves, and found Kyusik there. It was actually where they obviously admitted their love for each other, but Kyusik was crying because of guilt maybe because it appeared like he chose Bong Hee over God. Both of them were crying, I love the part where Bong Hee was consoling him.

The ending talked about loving God, Kyusik though decided to have Bong Hee instead of becoming a priest, still remains God's faithful follower. He even became a Shepherd to his Lamb that is Bong Hee.

Again I love Ha Jiwon here....I am maybe uncomfortable with her character here as liberated and exaggerated american girl, still it means when you are affected you just got immersed with her in her role..LOL.. and she's really pretty....no doubt about that...