Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Love has always been like this. I was always puzzled, wondering if I liked them or if they liked me. Even with some certainty, a tiny incident could easily shatter everything. While onlookers can often see things clearly, the two people involved—despite knowing each other so well—often can’t see things objectively. Just like everyone is a bit different, no love on this planet is the same. The abstract idea of love comes easily, but making it real is another story altogether. 😍
Even if you erased the director’s name from this movie, you’d instantly know it’s a Park Chan-wook film. His style is so distinct that it’s like a nail sticking out of your pocket. Personally, I think it’s the unique storytelling that makes it stand out. 🎥
His storylines are far from ordinary, and they move with speed. While what he wants to say is clear, how he says it is one-of-a-kind. After watching, the mise-en-scène leaves a lasting impression. Close your eyes, and vibrant scenes come to mind like unforgettable art pieces. The film’s pacing is smooth, each scene tightly woven. This movie is no exception. 🎨
Hae-jun and Seo-rae first meet as a detective and a suspect in a mysterious death case. Instantly smitten, he tries to solve the puzzle, excluding her as a suspect. But the more he looks, the more confused he is—is she a femme fatale, a murderer, an altruist, a victim, or all of the above? Then, stumbling upon the truth, Hae-jun is utterly shattered.
“Throw that phone into the sea, somewhere deep where no one can find it.”
To Seo-rae, Hae-jun’s words, spoken with grace and pride in his work, sounded like “I love you.” Yet, the earnest detective didn’t realize he’d just laid bare his heart. Trying to forget her, he struggles, while she can’t let go. They meet again in the foggy town of ‘Ipo,’ entangled in another murder case. 🌫️
This film starts like a detective story but is, in essence, a love story. The man’s love is clear and certain, while the woman’s love is hidden and elusive, barely visible. Seo-rae wants to love the one steady person in her tumultuous life, Hae-jun, but doing so could destroy him. After reuniting in ‘Ipo’ and inevitably committing murder, she devises a way to be loved forever without disrupting his life. 💔
The final scene of her realizing her love is the watermark of Park Chan-wook’s work. That chilling moment reminded me of the end of his film ‘Thirst,’ where Tae-ju leans on Sang-hyun’s shoulder, watching the rising sun. In that moment, Sang-hyun chooses death as the way to realize their love. 🌅
Love is grand, even when realized in foolish ways, its essence never fades. 💖
If you’re yearning for Park Chan-wook’s unique style that brings a fresh perspective to common themes, I recommend the new film, ‘Decision to Leave,’ starring Tang Wei and Park Hae-il. 🌟
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