Although I don't have insider information, but you project or guesstimate why there are so many good (and to that end - also bad) S.Korean movies. Freedom to do the final cut is probably one factor. Young directors probably another. Culture synthesis or catharsis probably a third factor.
This Once Upon a time in Highschool is as typically good as it gets. It is nostalgic, it is careful, it is sentimental, it is deliberate, it is technically well done. All seems cliché even. But it works. It works as a collective memory because it gets to the heart of the matter, the essentials, the universal experiences of high school. No, not the light hearted, self deprecating, sarcastic rear-view mirror look. But I think the key to this movies is the mixing of a bit more risky, personal - with some fantastical elements.
You see, with all the bottled up emotions you see (and feel along with the main character) during the first 90% of the movie, you need an out. And this fantastical element is the ending fight scene, mostly one shot - continuous, exhausting, satisfying - to relief all the tension that was built up. This fulfil some unfinished business - in our minds, in our past experiences, that lifts us the audience. Then the movie stayed true to its times - with the apology ending to ground you back to reality. What a move that is.
I think this movies works extremely well psychologically due to the built-up all the way to the final fight scene on the roof. That is, the story understands that most of us has regrets. That we were smaller then we looked inside. Was afraid most of the times, had confidence issues, were betrayed at least once. And did not act out on others. But most of us (at least for the Asians anyhow), didn't fight back.
This Once Upon a time in Highschool is as typically good as it gets. It is nostalgic, it is careful, it is sentimental, it is deliberate, it is technically well done. All seems cliché even. But it works. It works as a collective memory because it gets to the heart of the matter, the essentials, the universal experiences of high school. No, not the light hearted, self deprecating, sarcastic rear-view mirror look. But I think the key to this movies is the mixing of a bit more risky, personal - with some fantastical elements.
You see, with all the bottled up emotions you see (and feel along with the main character) during the first 90% of the movie, you need an out. And this fantastical element is the ending fight scene, mostly one shot - continuous, exhausting, satisfying - to relief all the tension that was built up. This fulfil some unfinished business - in our minds, in our past experiences, that lifts us the audience. Then the movie stayed true to its times - with the apology ending to ground you back to reality. What a move that is.
I think this movies works extremely well psychologically due to the built-up all the way to the final fight scene on the roof. That is, the story understands that most of us has regrets. That we were smaller then we looked inside. Was afraid most of the times, had confidence issues, were betrayed at least once. And did not act out on others. But most of us (at least for the Asians anyhow), didn't fight back.