Synopsis

In 2001, Kyung-hwan transfers from Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, to Suseong District in Daegu. A devoted fan of Japanese pop culture, Kyung-hwan discovers that his new seatmate and class president, Jae-min, also listens to Japanese music. The two quickly become close. Jae-min helps Kyung-hwan adjust to his new environment, and Kyung-hwan begins to follow him everywhere, drawn to Jae-min’s honesty and confidence. One day, Kyung-hwan accidentally learns Jae-min’s secret. Wanting to be honest in return, Kyung-hwan decides to confess his own. But after revealing it, Jae-min becomes distant, and soon their classmates begin to ostracize Kyung-hwan. Despite everything, Kyung-hwan still wishes to remain friends with Jae-min.

Program Note

Kyung-hwan (played by Shim Hyun-seo) transfers to a high school in Daegu. Sitting quietly in the corner listening to music, he’s approached by Jae-min (Hyun Woo-seok), who asks if he’s listening to Globe. Brought together by a shared love of J-pop, the two become inseparable friends—until secrets they’re unable to share openly begin to create tension between them. Set in 2001, this film explores the bond of friendship through the power of music. Now in his 40s, a few minutes of a Globe song instantly brings Kyung-hwan back to his memories with Jae-min. It’s a poignant example of how music can awaken the past in youth-centered cinema. (Hur Nam-woong)

Director

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  • Eom Ha-neul
  • Eom Ha-neul has directed short films including Embarrassing but (2016), Not Found (2018), and Water Ghost (2020). With Peter Pan's Dream (2020), they won the Grand Prize in the Korean Competition at the Asiana International Short Film Festival. Their film Killer Director (2021) was invited to the International Short Film Competition at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.