Speedy Scandal Movie Review

Afifah Tri Hyuanawati
2201408053
Review Text

Speedy Scandal (Hangul: 과속스캔들) is a Korean film released in December 3, 2008. The film which directed by Kang Hyeong-Cheol is a comedy about the relationships within a dysfunctional family. Nam Hyeon-Soo (Cha Tae-Hyun), a popular radio program host who is now in his mid-thirties. He lives a scandal free and happy bachelor life. One of the regular callers on his radio program is a 22 year-old single mother by the name of Hwang Jeong-Nam (Park Bo-Yeong). Jeong-Nam frequently calls the radio program to seek Hyeon-Soo’s advice; she wants to find and reunite with her father, a man who doesn’t even know she exists. Hyeon-Soo encourages her to find her father and build a relationship.

One day, Jeong-Nam, along with her five year old son Hwang Gi-Dong, shows up on Hyeon-Soo’s apartment with the claim that he is her father! In fact, Jeong-Nam is the result of a one night stand that Hyeon-Soo had when he was in high school. In his mid-thirties, Hyeon-Soo is not only suddenly a father but a grandfather. The film goes on to talk about how Hyeon-Soo tries to keep what would be a major scandal under wraps.

This film really isn’t about teenage pregnancy. It, instead, is about relationships and family dynamics. Each of the three family members has their own relationship problems; even five-year-old Gi-Dong has trouble in attracts the pretty girl in his kindergarten class. And, predictably, the film also shows Hyeon-Soo slowly knows how to take on his father and grandfather roles. In this film, Cha Tae-Hyun brings his comedic skills and acts very well while Park Bo-Yeung brings a nice innocence and a bit of presumption to her character. The character who catches attention of this film is Hwang Seok-Hyeon, the cute young actor who plays the grandson. He brings an amusing comedic charm that would come off as silly in an adult but cute in a child.

Overall, the film is very light, entertaining, and amusing. It really is appropriate for the whole family and explores the complexity of family relationships in a comedic way. It takes easy to understand this film.