while it may take being Korean (and being part of the "386-generation" that really went through all the turbulent events of this movie's timeline) to fully appreciate this movie, it is nevertheless a powerful, graphic, and grippingly emotional commentary on South Korea of the the last twenty years. Director Chang-dong Lee masterfully presents the plot in reverse chronological order, and protagonist Kyung-gu Sol handily goes from broken buisnessman to lovesick schoolboy by the movie's end/his troubled road's beginning. In a way, this movie is perhaps Korea's unique and tragic answer to a movie like "Forrest Gump." "Na ottoke" ("what do I do?") - indeed, what does one do when faced with such experiences? Easily one of the best Korean movies I've seen to date.

Peppermint Candy is the second film from South Korean director Lee Chang-dong. It tells personal history of a man whose troubled experiences leave him greatly disturbed.It stars Sol Kyung-Gu,Moon So- Ri,Kim Yeo-Jin,Ko Seo-Hee and Seo Jung.The movie starts with the suicide of the protagonist and uses reverse chronology to depict some of the key events of the past 20 years of his life that led to his death.It was written and directed by Lee Chang-dong.

Peppermint Candy starts in the spring of 1999. A group of old friends gather to celebrate their 20 year reunion. Among the group is Yeong-ho, a cold, unhappy man, whose demeanor puts a damper on the festivities. The seriousness of Yeong-ho's depression becomes apparent, however, when he climbs a railroad bridge and looks like he might jump. At this crucial moment, memories of seven crucial episodes from Yeong-ho''s past flood his mind.

When the Peppermint Candy started with the lead protagonist killing himself,Director Lee Chang-Dong made it a point that this film is not for entertainment.It tells us a story of a man who was corrupted by society wherein he lost his innocence and sense of idealism along the way that led him to a destructive end of his life.The movie was told in reverse chronological order which started with Yeong-ho's suicide in 1999 and it ends with Yeong-ho's life as a happy and innocent young man in 1979.It was divided in seven parts it presents how his life was devastating as the 20 years go by from being a failed businessman and husband,an abusive policeman,a military soldier who accidentally kills somebody and an idealistic young lover in parallel with changes in South Korea's history and society and his vulnerability towards them.The acting,direction,cinematography and the screenplay were definitely excellent and outstanding.

Overall,I can only give nothing but praises to this film about a story of innocence lost.