Introduction
dir. Hong Sang-soo · 2021
Life is a series of moments where connection and self-discovery often emerge from unexpected encounters and the courage to embrace vulnerability.
Youngho finds himself in a series of waiting rooms, both literal and metaphorical, as he navigates the complexities of familial expectations and romantic aspirations. The film unfolds with a gentle rhythm, inviting viewers to linger in the quiet moments of life that often go unnoticed. Watching it feels like a reflective stroll through a familiar yet foreign landscape, where every encounter holds the potential for deeper understanding.
Youngho is summoned by his father, who is a doctor. Finding him busy with his patients, one of whom is a famous actor, Youngho has to wait. When his girlfriend Juwon moves to Berlin for her studies, Youngho shows up in the city to surprise her. Through her mother, Juwon has found accommodation at the home of an artist whose beauty intimidates her. Some time later, Youngho goes to lunch with his mother who wants to introduce him to a colleague – it is the same man Youngho met at his father’s clinic. Youngho asks his friend Jeongsoo to accompany him, and after lunch they go to the beach. Youngho falls asleep, and dreams of Juwon. When he wakes up, he braves the considerable cold and goes swimming, while Jeongsoo watches.
Talking points
- the nature of love and longing
- the significance of place in personal identity
- the role of dreams in understanding reality
- the impact of cultural dislocation on relationships
