My Boyfriend is Type-B VCD

But Han Mi's cousin, Chae Young (Shin Hee) isn't quite so enraptured with Young-Bin and tries to dissuade Han-Mi from pursuing him. Chae Young is a professional dating consultant and a strong subscriber to blood type theory. According to her, any relationship between the mismatched duo would be doomed to failure because Young-Bin is a type-B male, which supposedly makes him arrogant, hardheaded, and generally a jerk, whereas Han-Mi is a type-A female, one who supposedly can't help being timid and obedient. But while Chae-Young predicts impending doom, the happy couple tries to give love a shot, ignoring their supposed blood type incompatibility. But will they succeed?

As with any romantic comedy, there are ups and downs for the new couple, and the actors do well selling what is essentially formulaic fluff. Han Ji-Hye does a fine job portraying the ridiculously nice, cute as a button Han-Mi, but she really shines in scenes where her character is finally stands up for herself and stops being such a doormat. Actor Lee Dong Gun acquits himself rather well in the somewhat challenging part of Young-Bin. It's a tricky role to pull off; the character has to be annoying enough so that the audience can recognize that there's a problem, but at the same time, he has to be charming and sincere enough for viewers to feel that there's something salvageable in the relationship. And this is a balance that is struck throughout the picture - Young-Bin goes from the sweetest guy in the world to complete jerk and back again, sometimes in the space of one scene.

Yet Young-Bin seems genuine in his affection, and beyond the hackneyed displays of romance (flowers, singing, etc), he's also prone to some unique forms of chivalry. Yet even as one can see justification or at least an explanation for Young-Bin's actions, there's also the sense that he's doing it for self-serving purpose, even when he's being "romantic." This tension between his true feelings and his selfish nature will probably keep viewers guessing, perhaps even after the credits roll.

Of course, these kinds of movies are predictable: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy fights to get girl back. There's even some crying (In a Korean film? No way!). But here, there are more than a few variations on that traditional theme sprinkled throughout the film. Although there is a sense of closure, it's refreshing to see that even in the "happy ending," things aren't quite as neatly tied up as one might expect. Even if they do reconcile, Young-Bin's personality traits will always be an issue. Thus, the movie seems to acknowledge that relationships, even those built to last, are hard work. How refreshingly realistic! Although by no means high art, My Boyfriend is Type-B is a glossy, overall enjoyable diversion involving pretty Korean people who overcome their problems in the space of ninety minutes. Whatever your blood type, that's gotta count for something.

By Calvin McMillin - LoveHKFilm.com