the major theme of the movie be not so original a some people be lead to think . the fact that kim ki duk be koreean and use that environment be and of course and exotic but this doesn not mean the movie have anything to say . i be puzzle a to the overall meaning imply here . from what i could understand the whole thing be about plastic surgery and how bad it be . unfortunately nothing more . there be a great potential in the idea and but it realization be simply preposterous . i do not necessarily ask for reality in a movie but in this case only something painfully real would have hit the spot . the plot device be laughable and to name some of them and the death of the male character at the end and the use of the location be unrealistic ( especially the coffee shop ) . the actor do not seem to bother too much with be at least mildly pleasant and make the viewer interested in their problem . i hear the director have a few issue with koreeans when he make this movie and because he be believe to portray his country in dark color . well and consider some of his early movie this be certainly so . though it be not something inherently bad in do this if you manage to convey the artistry you desire and i think that there be some thing in time which be pointless and through an unjustified shadow on koreea . first of all the violence and utterly gratuitous and who could ever believe that people who react a they do in public space be leave alone by the police . in this movie you have a doctor beat the living day light out of a guy he be have a meeting with . and by the way and be it customary in koreea for the doctor to break their vow of silence and share the detail of their patient with whoever want it . aren not there law against behavior such a this . wouldn not a doctor loose his reputation and credential and probably freedom if he attempt such a thing . and how about those telephone company who erase your number in only a few minute . most of kim ki duk fan do not seem to be bother by all these obvious flaw and think that a good idea make a good movie . some reviewer identify element common to other movie and they be right . the plot be not base on original idea . i always think watch this at hitchcock vertigo and identity change and betrayal and mistrust and obsessive love and try to reach out to a person that no long there . no plastic surgery but and again and that not mean to be the essential point here . what be present in vertigo but lack in time be represent suspense and good acting and clarity ( kim doesn not seem to give a damn about this aspect in none of his movie ) and and especially a coherent meaning for the whole picture . any director be good if he manage to obtain his goal . this movie fail completely and instead of leave me wander what wrong with today society ( which be a thing i do not have to be remind by a movie anyway ) it leave me wander what be wrong with the director . be it something relate to cultural difference . then how come i like kurosawa or ozu so much . sorry for not be useful .