HIGHWAY STAR (2007)

Korea's version of country music, "trot" is more in style/appearance in the vein of lounge singers like Wayne Newton.  Hugely popular by those who embrace it, it's fairly scorned by those into more "serious" music ... and this wonderful, funny comedy-romance opens when a singer from the sticks, rock-and-roller Bong Dal-ho, is thrilled to finally be discovered by two music producers who come into the club where he's performing.  Elated, he heads to Seoul - only to learn, once there, that his new mentors only help shape and train trot singers!  Signed to an iron-clad contract, Dal-ho's forced to cut both his hair and on-stage style severely - though when he finally gets his TV debut, shame forces him at the last minute to don a mask and sing incognito!  The gimmick works, to Dal-ho's horror, making him an overnight sensation stuck performing the very music he loathes - now seemingly with no way out.  The comedy here is wonderful, the romance touching but light, and Cha Tae-hyun is lovable as Dal-ho.  A very funny "feel-good" film. (not rated)  A-

HIGHWAY STAR trailer