Watch Conduct Zero

Conduct Zero is a 2002 South Korean coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Jo Keun-shik. The movie stars Seung-beom Ryu, Kong Hyo-Jin, and Eun-kyeong Lim, and is set in the 1990s in a Korean high school. The story revolves around Joong-pil (played by Seung-beom Ryu) who is the leader of a group of bullies, known as "Roof-toppers", at his high school. He has a reputation for being tough and a trouble-maker, but as the story progresses, it becomes clear that he is just pretending to be strong and unapproachable to hide his insecurities and vulnerabilities. Hiding behind a tough exterior, he just wants to be loved and accepted.

Despite his bullying behavior, Joong-pil has a soft spot for his childhood friend, Kang-hee (played by Kong Hyo-jin), who is constantly at odds with him. Kang-hee is a strong-willed and independent girl who doesn't take kindly to Joong-pil's advances. Instead, she is focused on her own interests, which include becoming a singer and joining a band.

As the movie progresses, the story explores the dynamics of relationships between teenagers and the hard lessons they learn about life. Joong-pil is forced to come to terms with his behavior and begins to realize that he must change if he wants to find happiness and love. Meanwhile, Kang-hee learns to be more understanding and forgiving towards Joong-pil, realizing that underneath his tough exterior, he is actually a kind and gentle person.

One of the highlights of the movie is the way it portrays the Korean high school experience. It offers a unique insight into Korean society and the students' experience of education and growing up in the 90s. The movie explores the hierarchy and the social norms that exist in the school setting, and the way this affects young people's behavior and expectations.

There are also a lot of humorous moments in the movie, especially around Joong-pil's attempts to win Kang-hee's heart, which regularly backfire. His humorous attempts to impress Kang-hee with his 'tough-guy' persona and his complete failures are some of the most entertaining scenes in the movie.

Another highlight of the movie is the excellent performances by the main cast members. Seung-beom Ryu delivers a convincing and nuanced portrayal of Joong-pil, and balances the character's tough exterior with the underlying vulnerability effectively. Kong Hyo-jin brings a lot of charisma to Kang-hee, and the chemistry between the two characters is believable and engaging.

Overall, Conduct Zero is an entertaining and thought-provoking movie that explores the dynamics of relationships between teenagers, the pressures of high school life, and the need for acceptance and love. The filmmakers handle the theme of bullying with sensitivity and awareness, and offer viewers an insight into the complexities of adolescent life. The movie is well-paced, well-acted, and will appeal to anyone who enjoys coming-of-age stories with a bit of humor and a lot of heart.