Book chon bang hyang 2011 (South Korea)
Ene's Ó Mo Chroí, Nicola plays over deeply saturated red titles giving a feeling of post modernism only to be met with the grey tones of slate that best describes New Old Hollywood. We follow Director Yoo - Sang-Soo himself- around Seoul. He is seen waiting for someone whose phone is turned off. We meet an early character whose motivation is clearly professional. We "casually" run into her through-out the film each time trying too hard to get a place in The Director's next movie.
In a new location Director Yoo sits alone in a pub until 3 young filmmakers call him over to the table. Two know of his work, one does not. They drink together. The students are inspired by Director Yoo and Director Yoo is loving the attention. Switching locations, Director Yoo changes his pace by beginning to lash out against the students for "copying" The Director. (Sang-Soo explores the themes of "success" in other works more completely.) The students are left looking bewildered having never experienced that level of inner turmoil.
In a third location, he goes to the apartment complex of an ex. Pressed against the door he asks "Are you still... Here?". She, of course is. Kyungjin (Bo-kyeong Kim) lets him in, first hesitant then straight-up unwilling. Director Yoo barely makes it inside. They speak in short clipped sentences, trying to cover a wide emotional expanse that is forbidden from being spoken about. She wants to explode but doesn't as she tells him about her new big TV and how she doesn't read anymore. Director Yoo has to ask permission to smoke. They engage in trivial politesse akin to pulling a splinter out of a wound.
But once the splinter is out, all passions resume. The emotions are palpable and raw. She knows he has been drinking, but trapped in her own web of leaving she doesn't seem to refuse the request. If he leaves - and he does- she seems to pretend it won't exist. In the morning Kyungjin wishes him well as he leaves her at the doorway with a few cigarettes. Never to return.... again. He leaves the apartment building smiling and waving. I can only imagine her reaction inside the door frame.
In the Korean restaurant, Dajeong, Director Yoo drinks with his Senior, Youngho (Sang Jung Kim) and his friend the beautiful Doram (Seon-mi Song). I could go on for hours about the dialogue in these scenes (I won't) but we learn that the real reason the Director refuses to reveal his heart to anyone is the fear of disappointing the ones he loves. He explains that the shame would make the loss unbearable and so he keeps "limits" on that.
Right after this dialogue we meet Yejeon whom is also played by Bo-kyeong Kim. She owns the restaurant but hardly ever is present. Director Yoo, taken by her resemblance to Kyungjin makes attempts to meet her in private. They do, and embrace passionately while Kyungjin's text tone sounds in the back.
Inside Dajeong the next day, Boram asks The Director whom he had dated "officially". The Director describes his ex as someone "Who seems smart and clever, but is hopelessly good inside. She's full of emotions. She tries to hide it in, but she can't. So it bursts out sometimes. Someone you can sympathize for." Boram says that she is that woman. The Senior states that he finds all women similar in that each have two opposing themes for their consciousness. Boram tries to find out if Director Yoo and The Senior prefer the owner. The Senior describes her as "very beautiful but one who has lived a hard life having had bad luck with men.". Boram gets jealous and The Senior rejects Boram's pleas for affection by telling her of all her bad qualities. Boram is given a devastating blow to her ego and we watch her lips fall apart in the scene.
The Owner appears again after awhile only to leave again to get food. Her behavior is strikingly strange for someone managing a restaurant but I chock it up to building up her "mystery". Kyungjin, the spooky ass psychic ex, again knows immediately when to text Director Yoo with something cryptic. The director closes the phone and runs after The Owner. On the walk they embrace and kiss hard and with emotion. Gasping for air, he asks her if she will wait. "Yes, honey." she says, "But will you come back for me?" he nods but it makes the audience wonder. Inside her apartment he is given love and good treatment. She has assumed the full identity of Director Yoo's dream woman with none of the turmoil associated with Kyungjin. She is no more and forgotten. They seem happy and full of love. The audience seems to hope for him.
He leaves in the morning but he is leaving Seoul. She finds him in the doorway and they exchange happy goodbyes. She tells him she will look for someone good. He tells her not to wait for him. She is barely holding it together but I'm sure she knows he will be back. The remaining shot is Director Yoo meeting a fan of his on a walk. She asks to take a photo of him we watch his face pose for the film. Close up he looks just eggshell thin.
Lovelly post