Review: 'Whatcha Wearin'?' dials up cute and charming

By Gary Goldstein

Dec. 20, 2012 12 AM PT

The South Korean import “Whatcha Wearin’?” is as sweet and silly and, at times, raunchy as any Hollywood-hatched romantic comedy. Still, even if it’s not all that distinguishable from its stateside brethren, the film manages enough sparkly charm and warm comedy to offer a few hours of featherweight fun.

The meet-cute here between the recently dumped Hyun-Seung (Ji Sung) and the long-partnered Yun-jung (Kim Ah-joong) involves an accidental phone sex session that’s contrived, but also amusing and sexy. After a bit more cell chatter, an in-person friendship — with potential benefits — crops up between the attractive duo as they help one another deal with their romantic quandaries. For Hyun-Seung, it’s the fickle ex (Shin So-yul) he still pines for, while Yun-jung has issues with her moody boyfriend (Kang Kyeong-jun), who just won’t put a ring on it.

It’s easy, of course, to guess where Hyun-Seung, an office grunt and aspiring musician, and Yun-jung, who has designs on a lingerie business, will end up. But the getting there provides a mostly buoyant, occasionally twisty journey, even if director Byun Sung-hyun (who also co-wrote the script with Kim Min-soo) does take the longish way home.

In addition to the nimble and appealing lead couple, the cast also includes the requisite goofy sidekicks (Kim Sung-oh, Mun Ji-yun) and oblivious mother of the bride (Kim Bo-yeon).

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‘Whatcha Wearin’?’

No MPAA rating

Running time: 1 hour, 54 minutes. In Korean with English subtitles.

Playing at: CGV Cinemas, Los Angeles

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