Watch Hi, Dharma

Hi, Dharma is a comedy-drama film released in 2001 directed by Park Chul-kwan, written by Park Gye-ok and Jung Tae-won, and produced by Kim Se-yeoul. The movie revolves around a group of gangsters who hide out in a Buddhist temple while being chased by police. The film's title, Hi, Dharma, is both ironic and deliberate, as the characters seem to make a mockery of the Buddhist philosophy they're supposed to be studying.

The movie follows four gangsters: Sang-ha (Park Shin-yang), the leader of the group; Chang-ku (Jung Jin-young), the group's enforcer; Dong-jin (Jung Woong-in), the group's driver who's always high on drugs; and Jung-woo (Lee Sang-woo), the young new recruit. After a botched job goes wrong, they run away from the police and hide in a Buddhist temple located in the countryside. There, they meet the temple's abbot (Park Sang-myeon) and his five disciples: Dae-bong (Kim In-mun), the head disciple and a former gangster himself; Kang-wook (Jang Hang-sun), the temple's cook; Hae-in (Jung Sang-hoon), the temple's gardener; Yeon-ju (Jang Young-nam), the temple's cleaner and Dae-bong's assistant; and Jin-young (Seo Beom-sik), the youngest and most curious disciple.

As the gangsters try to hide from the police, they start to interact with the disciples and gradually become more involved in temple life. The main source of comedy in the film comes from the stark contrast between the two groups' lifestyles and attitudes. The gangsters, who have always lived a life of violence and crime, find themselves in a completely different environment, one of peacefulness and devotion. They have to adapt to new rules and customs, such as waking up early for morning chanting, bowing to the Buddha, and taking part in manual labor tasks.

Throughout the movie, we see the gangsters struggle to reconcile their violent past with their newfound love for the temple and its inhabitants. Sang-ha, the leader, is initially hesitant to interfere with the temple's affairs, but as he spends more time with the abbot and his disciples, he becomes more invested in their well-being. Chang-ku, the enforcer, who at first seems like a typical tough guy, becomes almost a father figure to Jin-young, the youngest disciple, after the latter confides in him about his desire to leave the temple and go to college.

Along the way, several subplots are introduced, including a love triangle between Jung-woo, Yeon-ju, and Hae-in, and a conflict between the temple and a neighboring village over land ownership. These subplots serve to flesh out the characters and add more depth to the story. The cinematography is also noteworthy, showcasing the beautiful scenery of the temple and its surrounding areas.

In the end, the gangsters' past catches up to them, and they have to make a choice between returning to their old life or staying at the temple and facing the consequences of their actions. Hi, Dharma is a heartwarming movie that highlights the power of compassion and self-reflection. It's a film that will make you laugh, cry, and think about your own beliefs and values.