Lee Dong-jin denies ties after 4-out-of-5 Hope rating

Film critic Lee Dong-jin responded to criticism and malicious comments after giving director Na Hong-jin's new film Hope a 4-out-of-5 rating. In a long blog post on July 20, Lee said he judged that it was better to write, however tiring and tedious, because this is the world he lives in and the profession he chose.

Lee had earlier rated Hope 4 points out of 5 and described it in a one-line review as 'a huge crescendo of an entire film, boldly racing through a bizarre mess.' Afterward, online claims questioned whether Lee had given the film a high score because of his relationship with Na, the director's reputation or the difficult state of the Korean film industry.

Lee denied having personal ties with Na. He said official events related to The Wailing and Hope were the only times they had met, adding that they had never had coffee together and did not know each other's phone numbers.

Lee also said his positive assessment of Hope had nothing to do with who directed it. He said he did not view Na's films favorably because he liked the director, but that he highly regarded Na as a creator because he had continued to make good films.

Lee rejected the claim that he raised his rating out of concern for the Korean film industry or theaters. He said he does hope Korean cinema regains vitality, but that this is entirely separate from judging a single film, and that each film in front of him is always more important than the circumstances of the industry as a whole.

He also denied that he praised Hope so he could moderate a GV event for the film. Lee said the causal relationship was the opposite: he takes part in the GV because he evaluates the film highly.

Explaining his rating, Lee said Hope was 'an excellent and good film.' He said it has weaknesses, but described it as a film with strengths powerful enough to offset them, calling it very appealing, original and entertaining.

Lee emphasized that film criticism is subjective. He said 'Hope is excellent' is his opinion and 'Hope is a terrible film' is another person's opinion, adding that an opinion does not become fact just because more people agree with it.

Hope is excellent is my opinion, and Hope is a terrible film is your opinion.

The causal relationship is the opposite. I am doing the GV because I rate the film highly.