Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Beloved,

Written by

Jude Bautista

Walking aimlessly, he didn’t know where he was going. Then he heard a solitary voice, a guitar playing. Her words and voice touched him even before he saw her, “I want to walk along with you. You’re the right person. I love your ugly hands… That being said, I want to hold your hand. You’re the right person… I even love the smell of cigarettes on you.”

Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy saw her, past the bushes in the park. There was something about Hwa-Young Im (Ina), he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her lyrics were touching, funny but sincere,  “That being said, I want to be by your side. But you and me I guess we can’t be together. I guess we can’t walk by each other like this. Even when we’re looking the same direction. We can’t look at each other… This autumn breeze is taking my memories away… That being said…I’m sorry.

Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

LOVE AND BUSKING is currently being aired in RED by HBO. The original title of this Korean movie released late 2020 in Seoul cinemas is FICTION AND OTHER REALITIES. Written and co-directed by musician and executive producer Bobby Choy of the band BIG PHONY. I could almost hear their arguments over the movie title.

Music Clip 1 THIS MIGHT BE LOVE

From a story perspective it does make sense: FICTION refers to their love of music, their dreams of making it, REALITIES are the struggles of having to make a living in the real world. Although you could possibly mistake it as a Star Trek episode or a scifi movie like INCEPTION.

FROM distributors, a marketing perspective, even the cable channel LOVE AND BUSKING is simpler and better. For anyone flipping through channels, LOVE immediately indicates that it IS a K-Romance. Even if you didn’t know that busking is defined as: ‘the activity of playing music in the street or another public place for voluntary donations’. (Oxford Languages)

FICTION AND OTHER  REALITIES is the title you’ll see in the opening of the movie, although admittedly LOVE AND BUSKING really is more salable. In a sense, the conflict over title already underlines the ‘realities’ of the movie business. And owing to the second title, I would personally want more people to watch it because it’s not the usual K-drama formula.

BIG PHONY is Bobby Choy’s onstage persona and band name (in real life). The music throughout the film is credited to BIG PHONY.

Bobby

Bobby Choy is the central character,  loosely based on his real life as a Korean American returning home and reconnecting with his roots. The fact he plays himself  was to me a refreshing approach. He didn’t look androgynous, didn’t have porcelain white skin or have perfect abs or wavy hair or ruby red lips. NOT that there’s anything wrong with plastic surgery or the trends that K Drama/movies lead actors look alike. Here’s a list of K-POP stars who admitted to going under the knife from PREVIEW.

Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy looks like a real person. He even looks nerdy. So at least that makes him more relatable. He has real insecurities and problems. He feels trapped in a dead end job, what we know (in the Philippines) as a call center, telemarketer in the U.S. He has so many songs, they are going out of him when he plays the guitar, which he plays exceptionally well.  He writes lyrics and composes well. Problem is no one really cares.

Music Clip 2 – ENOUGH TO DRIVE ME MAD

The music he writes isn’t necessarily in the level of Lennon. BUT its heartfelt, sincere, comes from a real place. Its not a slick K Pop production, just a man with a guitar and a song to sing. Trying to make it as an amateur musician in N.Y. seems like a crap shoot. He gets shut down before a chance to sing his song during an amateur night in a café . BIG PHONY is Bobby Choy’s onstage persona and band name (in real life). The music throughout the film is credited to BIG PHONY.

Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

His difficulties of trying to fit in as second generation Korean living in the U.S. is very relevant now. There was a certain amount of identity crisis, not feeling like he belonged. The movie is set prior to the rise of Anti-Asian hate the past year, in the COVID era.

Viewers can see that it was already bad enough for Asian Americans to be accepted even before the pandemic, for someone like Bobby. Who would’ve anticipated that it would get far worse with Asians (including Filipinos) getting attacked on the street because they are mindlessly blamed for spreading the virus?

Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Hwa-Young Im

While on a chance encounter in Seoul, Bobby’s life is permanently changed when he meets Ina played by Hwa-Young Im. He finds a kindred spirit in her, someone who loves music as much as he does. She becomes an inspiration.

Actress Hwa Young Im’s star is on the rise, having been the lead in several other hit movies. Most notably the thriller FANFARE (2020) and TRAP (2019).  Here she gives a great account of herself as an aspiring singer. She plays the guitar well, just like Bobby and her vocals are particularly touching.

THAT BEING SAID feat Hwa Young Im

This is made more remarkable that she is actually an actress without a musical background, at least in K Pop. Where many famous girl group members transition to acting. Hwa Young’s voice is the one actually used in the movie soundtrack THAT BEING SAID (lyrics/ scene written above). Available in this link, for listening and purchase.

Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Casting Hwa Young is extremely critical because she is the motivation for Bobby to reconnect with his Korean roots. And she makes it impossible not to fall in love with her sweet face and demeanor. Pinoy’s would find it endearing that Ina’s favorite dish is spicy chicken feet. There are restaurants that actually specialize in dakbal around Seoul. But beware Bobby got his throat burned by the heat in dakbal trying to impress Ina.

An American compares Korean vs Filipino Chicken feet in this Youtube video

K Pop Dominance

(April 21, 2020) BTS ‘obliterated’ the record for biggest premiere in Youtube history with their song DYNAMITE with 3 million concurrent viewers, according to forbes.com. The previous record holder was another K-Pop act, Blackpink with their single HOW YOU LIKE THAT with 1.65 million concurrent viewers, just 2 months before.

BTS made news by NOT winning the Grammy’s because they were expected to win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award, won by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for RAIN ON ME. Needless to say K-Pop has been dominating charts around the world.

from left: Bobby Choy (Himself) and Todd Goble (Billy); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (10)

That’s why the last thing on any one’s mind may be the indie music scene in Seoul. Or that it even exists in the first place. Or it makes people wonder what IS Korean Popular music anyway? What defines it?

from left: Hyun-Sung Hwang (Dolly), Hwa-Young Im (Ina) and Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Seoul Indie Music Scene

For me that’s what I appreciate about LOVE AND BUSKING or using the original title FICTION AND OTHER REALITIES. The movie makes us think about what we consume in film and music. Is it just about looks, image, popularity? Or can we just stop listen, learn to digest the words, lyrics that come with heart rending vocals and guitar playing?

Hyun-Sung Hwang (Dolly), in real life also happens to be the drummer for Korean punk band NO BRAIN; Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

When we open our eyes, ears to all kinds of artists it can be rewarding. After watching the movie and if you just dig a little deeper into the artists involved: BIG PHONY, with a single produced by Enik Lin of FYKE – READY OR NOT. You realize there’s a whole spectrum of genre and artists in the Seoul independent music scene. Even Ina’s weird pal and real estate agent is played by Hyun Sung Hwan. In real life Hyun Sung Hwan is the drummer for punk band NO BRAIN. The whole band ( NO BRAIN) has a cameo appearance, as irate restaurant customers bothered by the wimpy swearing of Bobby Choy.

Music Clip 3 – BE MINE, BABY

Even Bobby himself was hesitant to call himself as part of K-Pop. This is owing to his Korean American background. But does realize there are Korean Americans like Jay Park (born in L.A.) but has found success as a K-Pop artist. I just couldn’t verify if the U.S. band PAPER KINGS  is the actual band that his childhood friend Billy is in, played by Todd Goble.

Todd Goble (Billy); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

The district of Hongdae in Seoul featured prominently in LOVE AND BUSKING airing in RED by HBO.

Hongdae

Whether or not BIG PHONY is K Pop, they were supported by the Korean government with some aspects of production. The kickstarter program they launched for the movie was to finish the project and post production. Bobby explains on the page:

“Our story takes place mostly in Seoul, Korea which has already been filmed, and is in the can. The Seoul Film Commission also awarded us with a coveted film incentive grant, which was only given to a select few projects this year including Netflix’s Sense8. They made it possible for us to highlight a side of Seoul that is dear to me: the area of Hongdae which is home to many independent artists and Korean live music clubs. A place in danger of losing its rich culture to gentrification and possibly casino tourism.  Something many are fighting to stop.

Even dearer to me is the unique experience I was given growing up as an Asian American born and raised in the US.  This story touches on some of the challenges/issues many Americans of immigrant parents still face today but aren’t represented in mainstream media such as feature films.”

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (15)

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from left: Todd Goble (Billy) and Bobby Choy (Himself) ; Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (18)

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from right: Hyun-Sung Hwang (Dolly) and Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

from left: Hyun-Sung Hwang (Dolly), Hwa-Young Im (Ina) and Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (21)

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Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

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The district of Hongdae in Seoul featured prominently in LOVE AND BUSKING airing in RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (27)

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Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (30)

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Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (33)

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Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

The district of Hongdae in Seoul featured prominently in LOVE AND BUSKING airing in RED by HBO.

Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (36)

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Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

from left: Hyun-Sung Hwang (Dolly), Hwa-Young Im (Ina) and Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Todd Goble (Billy); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (41)

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Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (44)

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Bobby Choy (Himself) and Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

Hwa-Young Im (Ina); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO.

from left: Todd Goble (Billy) and Bobby Choy (Himself) ; Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (47)

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BIG PHONY is Bobby Choy’s onstage persona and band name (in real life). The music throughout the film is credited to BIG PHONY.

Bobby Choy (Himself); Watch LOVE AND BUSKING on RED by HBO. (49)

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Bobby Choy and his wife in premiere held in Seoul late 2020.

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