`Oishii Man’: Magic of Love, Youth

Franz Kafka once said that ``literature must be the axe for the frozen sea within us,’’ and good movies, like books and other works of art, sometimes have such inspirational power. ``Oishii Man’’ is yet another small jewel of a film by Kim Jeong-jung, and despite its prevalent imagery of the frozen sea, the youthful romance seethes with warmth.

Perhaps love and youth compliment each other like no other pair can. Kim broke hearts with ``HERs,’’ set in snow-covered Alaskan plains. This time, the director takes viewers to the ice floes of northern Japan. In ``Oishii Man,’’ two young starlets _ South Korean model-turned-actor Lee Min-ki and Japanese heroine Chizuru Ikewaki _ make music and magic.

The movie is about two strangers who mend each other's broken souls, and an unforgettable winter romance blooms. Ice would be the last thing one would expect to melt frozen hearts. Likewise, the movie's magical aura manifests itself in the portrayal of ice fairies, or ``kurione,'' fantastic aquatic creatures shaped like small white angels that live only in the iciest seas.

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The movie invites comparisons to the international hit ``Once.’’ Like the song-ridden Irish love story, sometimes love between two people is consummated in not being consummated, at least in the conventional sense of ``happily-ever-after’’ endings.

While ``Oishii Man’’ is also about music, the soundtrack is strictly limited, unlike ``Once,’’ where the music dominates the narrative.

The poeticism of the movie lies in the silence between the notes. ``Oishii Man’’ is indeed ``oishi.’’ The tasteful film tugs at the heartstrings without being the least bit sappy, and does not get too heavy, with lots of comic relief.

Now playing in theaters. 12 and over. 96 minutes. Distributed by Sponge. In a mixture of Korean, Japanese (with Korean subtitles) and broken English.