Five Korean Short Films to Watch This Weekend

Cinema enthusiasts like me are drawn to short films because of the levels of originality they hold, and when it comes to Korean shorts, I can’t stop admiring the seemingly limitless range of imagination I have witnessed in them. Korean short films, in my opinion, stand out because of their creativity, intricacy, and versatility across genres. Despite being brief, these immersive experiences are highly potent and express a lot in a relatively brief period. If you too share my sentiments and enjoy short films, you might want to press play on the Korean short films listed below. Check them out this weekend for some thought-provoking viewing.

The Bird Who Could Fly (2017) – Raphael Sbarge

Young Korean-American lawyer Arthur Lee (Joe Seo) navigates coping with his mother’s radical religious convictions while simultaneously attempting to transform the lives of his self-destructive siblings. He strives to be a decent brother and son, eventually putting aside societal norms and the ruins of his past in the hope of reclaiming his own life. The Bird Who Could Fly is a thoughtful, nuanced and beautiful story. It premiered at the Asians on Film Festival 2017 Awards and went on to win best director, best ensemble, and audience awards at several Asian film festivals around the U.S.

Stay with Me (2018) – Bomsok Ku

Stay with Me, purportedly the first 4DX VR movie to be shown in a 4DX theater is a love story about the tumultuous romantic relationship between exuberant would-be actress Yeon-soo (Seo Yea-ji) and stage-shy aspiring musician Woo-jin (Kim Jung-hyun). Despite being complete opposites, the two people find themselves falling in love as they help each other achieve their goals. Regrettably, an unwarranted tragedy compels the couple to split up.

The Present (2019) – Hur Jin-ho

Oh Ha-neul (Suho from EXO) and Kim Bo-ra’s (Kim Seul-ki) alliance frays on the cusp of launching their startup as a result of their firefighting thermal-imaging camera project failing, exacerbated by a notice to vacate their studio due to unpaid rent. As things worsen, a mysterious man named Kang Sang-goo (Shin Ha-kyun) appears in their studio, claiming ownership. What eventually emerges is an endearing time-travel fantasy drama; it is hilarious and heartening, with intriguing characters and a wonderful message to accept and persevere in the face of adversity.

Georgia (2020) – Jayil Park

After the police decline to probe their daughter’s claimed suicide, two parents with no internet skills opt to design a protest banner to demand justice and punish the offenders. That’s the plot of this movie that is based on the infamous South Korean case of Miryang, which rocked the country in 2004 and continues to incite public indignation today. The film has garnered a slew of significant awards at numerous film festivals and events. The Miryang Gang Rape was a series of mass rapes that took place for months and involved at least 41 male high-school students.

Director Jayil Park’s recollections about how the tragedy inspired him to compose the scenario and how he created his characters are included in the video embedded above, which also summarizes Georgia‘s main points. Thanks for sharing the video, 1DAY 1FILM K-CINEFLEX.

Juicy Girl (2021) – MJ Kim

This critically acclaimed film is premised on the events concerning the killings of Korean women by U.S. Army troops during the Korean War. It follows So-young (Lee Cheong-mi), who is coerced into prostitution and is also referred to as ‘Juicy Girl,’ a nickname for local prostitutes used by U.S. soldiers deployed in Korea. When a vicious American GI, Michael Johnstone (Kaiwi Lyman), brutally murders So-young, what ensues thereafter is a heinous act of oppression as the U.S. Army compels the Korean government into freeing the murderer, sparking a local uproar.