Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!
Plot Summary: A failing pop group discovers a forgotten music video in their new recording studio and unleashes the deadly curse that accompanies the song.
Review: I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is not only one of the most underrated Asian horror films, but it's one of the most underrated horror movies flat out. I still don't know why this film appears to have failed in Korea especially considering all the positives in its favor. The lead actress, Eun-jeong Ham, is a member of a popular K-pop group, T-ara, so that's a draw, and this is one of the highest quality Asian horror movies I've ever watched. On top of that, it's scary as hell and felt truly original in an ocean of ripoffs, remakes, reboots, adaptations, etc. Maybe the plot was too straightforward and conventional compared to the more bizarre tales K-horror is known for? Perhaps audiences did not like the negative portrayal of the K-pop industry at the moment it began to reach significant international popularity? Whatever the reason, I'm just glad "White" has found a new audience through Netflix (yeah, I'm finally praising them for once), and it's beginning to be noticed and receive the praise it rightfully deserves.
The story is excellent as we learn the mystery surrounding the titular song. Ms. Ham plays Eun-ju, the leader of the pitiful Pink Dolls pop group, who come across the song when setting up shop in a new recording studio. The song is seriously catchy and gets stuck in your head so they chose wisely in this regard. The Pink Dolls' other members are bitchy, competitive over success, and often look down on Eun-ju as they each vie for the lead position in the group. Unfortunately for the girls, the song carries with it the curse of a vengeful ghost that does not take too kindly to the group stealing her song for their use. As each girl has their chance at the lead position, they find themselves in freak accidents caused by the ghost. Realizing there is more to this song than meets the eye (or ears in this case), Eun-ju and her best friend try to uncover the mystery of what happened to the original singers considering they know there was a fire that left people dead. Although this kind of mystery and female ghost are nothing we haven't seen a thousand times before, this film works with the material in an interesting and creative way to keep things feeling new. Eventually Eun-ju thinks she learns the truth about the original singer whereby she was disfigured and bullied into committing suicide after she wrote the song. Finding a suicide note on the back of the original written lyrics, Eun-ju believes she has appeased the ghost and proceeds to represent herself as "White" and embody the song itself. Eun-ju starts to let the fame, and how hard she worked for it, go to her head right at the moment her friend realizes they were wrong about who they believe was the true writer of the song; apparently it was a backup dancer that committed suicide before the fire. At an important concert, the ghost appears to Eun-ju and ends up killing all the Pink Dolls, including Eun-ju, their agent, and their producer. The friend reflects on the loss of Eun-ju, but believes the plight is over with the Pink Dolls killed. The film ends with the friend at a karaoke bar when "White" comes up on the screen.
They just did everything right when it came to this film. The look of the ghost and the makeup effects were exceptional and she was genuinely scary to behold; the white hair and more freakish face felt different than your typical Kayako clone. If anything, my only gripe regarding the ghost would be that we never learned her true name and that she could have been used even more! Regardless, the main scare setups work surprisingly well and feel original. The background scares are wonderful, and I always wish more films would implement this technique; seriously, each time I rewatch this movie I notice another scene with "White" lurking in the shadows for a split second. Connected to this is the excellent cinematography and a high quality of film to bring out the beauty to each scene. As I already discussed, the main song is catchy, but the overall music for the movie is good and helps engage the audience. The acting is well done, and the ladies throughout the cast, main and side characters, are extremely beautiful especially Ms. Ham. I also need to give them credit for having the balls to flat out kill off Eun-ju rather than implying she dies in some final zinger. The mystery to the story does feel slightly predictable, but I liked the presentation of the events that led up to the current action and felt they have a lot of room to expand this tale beyond one film. The portrayal of the music industry's dark side felt natural and, more than likely, accurate as well. Half this film is arguably about demonstrating how rough fame can be and how you can lose yourself in the vain pursuit of it. This facet added a whole different level of depth to the plot to keep things interesting beyond the scares.
Although you have a general framework of Asian horror cliches, the material is presented in a refreshing way that keeps things interesting from start to finish. At the same time, this film is free of the typical nonsensical endings that plague K-horror specifically and will appeal to more casual viewers. Furthermore, the high quality to the production, attention to detail, catchy song, and beautiful ladies will more than keep you entertained in between scares. I think this is probably the best K-horror movie I've watched so far, and that's saying something; and in retrospect, it should have made my top 10 horror movie list or at least an honorary mention. Overall, this is a must watch for Asian horror fans and those looking for a good scare in general. Now, if only we could get this film a proper DVD release we'd be all set.
Notable Moment: At the final concert when "White" appears and torments Eun-ju. The scares were great and "White" charging at Eun-ju was disturbing as hell.
Final Rating: 8/10
The alluring Ms. Ham killing it in every scene:
Bonus: Seriously, this story needs to be expanded beyond a single film! I'll let you know my basic ideas, and, honestly, Korean studio executives or whoever, this is a freebie from me to you as long as you make the damned film! We go with the working title of simply "White 2" or "White: Composing the Curse" or whatever title can sound more musical. We set the story 15 years earlier with our lead, White, and she can have whatever name seems appropriate. White is a backup dancer and the voice-over singer for most of the vocals for the company's pop groups. White is ambitious and talented, but, like Eun-ju, she is too innocent for the industry. She's also getting too old to compete against up and coming 14-18 year old girls when she's already 23 and still not given a set gig. The agency bounces her from pop group to group using her only for support which leads into the story we know.
The elder Choi is your typical image of a sleazy producer and sees White as past her prime and not having what it takes to succeed in the spotlight, and, thus, is why she's in the position she's been in for years. The elder Choi has taken a liking to the group's newest and rising star, Ye-bin Jang, who is 16 years old and more aggressive toward success. The background characters that fill out the group's roster aren't necessary and can be worked into a script later. Anyway, Ye-bin starts off somewhat nice, with a hint of being a bitch as White takes her under her wing--helping her improve her vocals and dance skills in late night sessions without others around. The younger Choi, considered to be a failure in the eyes of the elder Choi, grows a liking toward White seeing a bit of himself in her as he feels their potential is being wasted by the elder Choi mutually. The two start a delicate romance, to the jealousy of the other girls, and especially Ye-bin, who resort to calling White a slut trying to sleep her way to the top as her only means to succeed.
Despite opposition, White, inspired by Choi's support, writes the titular song and works on the instrumental arrangements and dance. Finally, elder Choi takes notice of White seeing the song as a possible big hit. Elder Choi eventually forces White to have sex with him to the great anger of younger Choi who later blames White for the incident and seeks solace with Ye-bin. Ye-bin is reluctant at first, but jealous of White's new found attention, and the rumor they will make her the leader of the group, she deliberately sleeps with younger Choi to hurt White. With the final announcement that White will be the leader, the girls rally together and cut White's face that night after tricking her into meeting up with them. Younger Choi is present for this incident, but he cowers like a bitch, and because he thinks this will get back at his dad who he believes slept with White to hurt him specifically.
Disfigured, heartbroken, betrayed and losing everything that made her who she was, White is vulnerable and decides to commit suicide after writing her note on the back of the song's lyrics and drinking the bleach. Ye-bin looks on with satisfaction as she has become completely twisted by the industry. Eventually, the incident is covered up by elder Choi who sees a silver lining in that he can now use the song without giving any credit to White. At this point, throw in all manner of scares with White's ghost haunting the studio and while the girls try to record and make the music video. Also, I like the idea that people hear, almost as a whisper, White singing the song in the studio's corridors late at night.
With some of the staff injured, and other girls quitting due to mysterious circumstances, Ye-bin grows more paranoid as she sees White's ghost and believes she is causing the problems. This becomes most apparent when they film the music video and Ye-bin swears White is in the footage. Younger Choi washes his hands of the situation and ditches Ye-bin who appears crazy and obsessed with success. One night, elder Choi decides he needs to "break in" Ye-bin who is already on edge when the two see White's ghost. Through elaborate scares and a chase, elder Choi is killed by falling lights in the same manner we saw younger Choi die in the first movie. Ye-bin believes that White's spirit is contained within the song and tries to destroy any trace of it by smashing equipment and tapes as she is pursued by White's ghost. She suddenly remembers that the original lyrics were on White's suicide note and attempts to burn it when White interrupts her. This leads to the studio incidentally burning down and taking Ye-bin with it. Younger Choi, explains to the police that Ye-bin was going insane and would appear to have committed suicide due to the pressure. Likewise, the elder Choi's body appears to have been burned in the blaze naturally. With the agency now in the hands of younger Choi, he temporarily closes down the studio and never wishes to think about anyone involved again. We see a final shot of some staff members cleaning up and throwing the one remaining copy of the "White" music video into a closet that was found in the first movie.
So that's my basic run down of how a sequel/prequel could play out. I think we could infer certain ideas from the first movie like how suspicious younger Choi was and the vague death of the father. I'm open to any ideas. Hopefully you enjoyed reading at the very least!
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