This movie is not unusual... As the title goes, "Spicy and Hot."

The movie "Spicy and Hot" tells the story of Lewing, who lost her will to live, who finds her lost self through boxing. Photo courtesy = Netflix

A long-term boyfriend is having an affair with his best friend, and the younger sister demands that his daughter's admission to the school be made in the name of the apartment above. Even a cousin who has never contacted him suddenly comes and makes a rude request, saying that he will take an observation camera of him losing weight.

Lying on the couch without hesitation, eating meat skewers in a high-calorie soda, neglecting people as lazy.

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Lewing, who is "tired" of friends, lovers, and family who put her in a tight spot, hurriedly packs her bags and leaves the house, but there is no way she has money on her hands. She borrows 2,000 yuan from her mother to find a shabby monthly house and tries to become independent by working part-time at a nearby restaurant.

The story of the Chinese film "Spicy and Hot" (YOLO) released on Netflix starts like this.

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Living in a small supermarket run by her old parents against the backdrop of a small Chinese town, Lying seems to have neither the will to live nor the will to move on. However, if you hold up the remote control and press the "Stop" button, you may regret it soon. Lying, wearing gloves due to her relationship with a boxing coach she met by chance near the restaurant where she worked, gradually escaped from the dark swamp and began to undergo life changes.




As the title entails, "Spicy and Hot" depicts Lewing's hot and cold journey out of her life. Of course, the movie is not going in the direction she expected. Her daily life is full of darkness even after she started boxing, but her life gradually changes thanks to her never giving up. It is not until the last scene that the true value of the movie shines.

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● A 'Hymn' for those passing through the dark tunnel

The movie is a hymn of support for those who walk in the dark tunnel at this moment, and tells the story that a bright light will come after the moment they want to give up. As you watch it, you will feel the magic of finding yourself enthusiastically supporting the life of the main character, Lewing.

While the seasons have changed four times, Lewing's constant focus on boxing has changed beyond recognition. Finally, in the ring on the right, Lewing generously spills out the energy he has accumulated so far. The touching emotion comes from Lewing's appearance of hugging the opponent with a bloody face.



Actor Za Ling, who played Leering, is also a film director. He lost 50 kg of weight while filming. Photo courtesy = Netflix

Za Ling, the actor who played the main character, also directed the movie. She purposely gained weight while preparing for "Spicy and Hot," and actually lost 50 kg of weight to express her dramatic changes during the filming process.

Lying, who has lost his will to live, begins to change his eyes as the thick sweat drops he shed as he is immersed in boxing. Lying clearly shows what results the accumulated day leads to with a change in appearance.

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Director Jialing received attention in 2021 for his debut film Nihao, Li Huan Ying. His debut film, which is based on an autobiographical story, tells the story of a protagonist who passed the Central Television Academy in Beijing and left his hometown after learning about his mother's accident and suddenly saying goodbye. At that time, director Jialing appeared in movies as well as directing.

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Director Zaring's specialty of penetrating the inside of the character as raw as possible, excluding dramatic effects or settings, will also lead to this "Spicy and Hot." Lying, who was born early in the movie and through boxing in the latter half of the drama, is definitely the same person, but comes across as a completely different character.

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"Spicy and Hot" is based on the Japanese film "100 yen's love" starring actor Ando Sakura, who has been active in works such as "The Host." Although attempts to remake Japanese works in China are extremely rare, director Zaring's delicate directing and acting have resulted in a remake that goes beyond the original's sensibility.