Oasis (Oasiseu) 2002

Jong-du, who has three previous convictions, pays a visit to the family of the victim in the hit-and run accident for which he served time and meets Gong-ju, the daughter, who has cerebral palsy. Jong-du is fascinated by her at first sight and visits her again when he knows she is alone. Trying to reassure and pacify the terrified young woman, he loses control and tries to rape her, stopping only when she faints. But he has left his workshop phone number in her room, and Gong-ju knows where to find him. To Jong-du's amazement, she calls him and invites him to visit her again. Over a series of clandestine meetings, the handicapped young woman and the feckless young man come to fall in love with each other. However their love is not one that is understood by anyone else.

Director: Lee Chang-Dong

Stars: Sol Kyung-Gu, Moon So-Ri, Ahn Nae-Sang

JDramaMama's Rating: A

It takes a lot of talent to play the characters in this story. Sol Kyung-Gu and Moon So-Ri are excellent as two mentally and physically handicapped people who fall in love. Moon So-Ri's character has cerebral palsy and is locked away in an apartment all alone while her feckless brother collects her disability checks but barely brings her food. Sol Kyung-Gu's charater is mentally retraded and can't stay out of jail, a disgrace to his family and a transient. The scene where he attempts to rape her is sad as she is so totally defenseless and pitiful. Still, she calls him again out of the awful loneliness she has endured for so long and they begin to develop a friendship. He takes her out in her wheel chair, riding the subway as she experiences the outside world. They fall in love but not everyone is happy. This is a very good film with awesome performances. To watch MoonSo-Ri in this film lets you know what an amazing actress she really is.

#SouthKorea #drama #romance