Lee Woo-jin and Soo-ah (Oldboy)
I watched Oldboy for the first time the other day for a film class. I thought Woo-jin and Soo-ah’s relationship was mutual, in that she loved him that way as well. Her actions and words line up with this interpretation, and I feel like Woo-jin is a smart enough bastard that he would’ve reacted slightly differently if she did not love him back that way (still would’ve exacted revenge, just without that extra layer). Plus, It better mirrors Dae-su and Mi-do’s relationship and affections since they truly did love each other. And in its own twisted way, it made me feel worse for Woo-jin. Putting aside the incest for a moment, he lost someone he loved who also loved him back. They still love each other as family, but there’s another dynamic added to that. If Soo-ah didn’t love him back, I’d have less sympathy (already very little) for Woo-jin.
We finally talked about the movie in class today, and I come to find out that I’m very alone in thinking this. Everyone else who made a comment on the topic either ignored Soo-ah’s affections, or argued that Woo-jin had manipulated/coerced/stockholm syndrome-d her into thinking she wanted it/loved him.
What do you guys think?