If Kyun-Woo had been a seminary student, and The Girl the niece of a priest, the romantic comedy My Sassy Girl would probably have appeared a lot like Love So Divine, a number of obvious similarities connecting this particular feature to the beloved, aforementioned title. Bong-Hee (Ha Ji-Won), who is originally revealed as a headstrong, yet intoxicated young woman, who seldom thinks before she acts, returns from America, only to be promptly rejected by her paramour. Her father, Nam (Kim In-Mun) the local priest, has no sympathy for her current situation, and despite his adamant disapproval of her decision to stay, Bong-Hee has little choice, opting to do chores around the church in order to pay her way back to the States.
While there, she happens upon Gyu-Shik (Kwon Sang-Woo), a seminary student, who is not at the church by choice. After an accident, involving his best friend Seon-Dal (Kim In-Kwon), causes Gyu-Shik to break a priceless Christian artifact, he, alongside his friend, are expelled from their original church in the city, to Father Nam's church in a rural province. Gyu-Shik's dedication to become a priest is unmoved after this turn of events, using his time instead to prove he has what it takes to eventually fulfill his life's endeavors, Bong-Hee, who he perceives to be incredibly sinful, becoming someone he puts a vested interest in, hoping to change her character to efficiently demonstrate he can serve the church.
He and Bong-Hee couldn't be more different. Similar to My Sassy Girl, Gyu-Shik at one point has to carry the incapacitated Bong-Hee on his back to a hotel, who repays him over the course of the film through not only hitting him, but subjecting Gyu-Shik to her frequently sassy, recklessly spontaneous attitude. Despite the initial antagonism they hold for one another, a mutual attraction begins to form, this particular avenue developing a daring plot that questions whether a man should devote himself solely to loving God, or to give his heart to a woman, the question of whether or not these two souls can find the common ground to be together having a paramount effect on the story.
Bong-Hee and Gyu-Shik are incredibly likable, the chemistry between the characters being truly superb, although both of them play into a wealth of renowned stereotypes. Even Seon-Dal, despite been immature and irresponsible for most of the feature is entertaining as the comic relief, though he is seldom necessary, for what transpires between the two leads is often humorous in itself, resulting in a number of laughs.
The soundtrack adds depth to the already engaging feature, the suspenseful uncertainty that is gradually built up as the film progresses being especially powerful. The characterization is well achieved, as is the development, with significant changes becoming evident in the leads over the feature's duration. Despite the comedic backdrop, Love So Divine offers its audiences a number of beautiful moments that will make those prone to tears (namely me) potentially cry on at least one occasion.
Although Love So Divine is not nearly as outstanding as My Sassy Girl, Windstruck or Cyborg She, it is certainly worth a gander for audiences with an avid appreciation for Korean dramatic productions and comedies.
