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Review: ‘Whatcha Wearin’?’ dials up cute and charming

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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.

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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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