Next Sohee

South Korea is one of the only country that managed to make the switch from military dictatorship to democracy within a few decades. Scientists claim this transition happened so fast because of civil disobedience and massive protests in reaction to an unjust government.

Next Soohee is a film about injustice and the protagonists react intensely emotional to it, thereby keeping the Korean tradition alive. The parody on the classic 'Keep calm and carry on' in the title of this review, should be seen as a tribute to South Korean resilience.

After Broker, Doona Bae is brilliant again as a police detective. This role fits so well to her personal appearance. I would love to watch multiple seasons of a crime series with her in the leading role.

"Next So-Hee" is a haunting portrayal of systemic failure and individual despair, illustrating a world where oppressive forces render people powerless and voices are stifled. The film delves into the tragic life of So-Hee, a young girl who becomes emblematic of a broader societal malaise where everyone seems to compromise and retreat into resignation. It paints a somber picture of a society where each institution-schools, educational authorities, labor departments, employers, police, and families-appears to operate with impunity, creating a labyrinth of excuses that ultimately dismiss the gravity of So-Hee's plight.

Writer/Director July Jung was in attendance to present her film after over 20 hours flights to Montreal, Canada. She was humble and pleasantly surprised to receive the Best Director Cheval Noir Award in front of a packed Audience for the FantAsia Film Festival closing film.

NEXT SOHEE (Da-eum-so-hee) stars international star Doona Bae in probably her best performance as a determined detective and relative newcomer on the big screen Si-Eun Kim as a distraught dance-dreaming, hard-hitting high school student stuck in an inhumane system. Si-Eun Kim also shines in her difficult portrayal and we can imagine Jung's direction was crucial for both.

July Jung uses a true story to illustrate flaws in the system, in people, culture and mentality that are specific to South Korea, yet resonate with international audiences. She states that the purpose of the film is not necessarily to create reform, yet to start awareness and an awaking process of what I would call warped societal and personal values.

Is high performance more praiseworthy than peace or purpose? Where is the qualitative in the mostly quantitative economy and politics? Where do we have agency instead of acceptance, avoidance, anger and despair?

The movie is envisioned in two distinct parts with the second one being much better in my view, yet exploring aspects of the first one in new light. All 134 minutes are necessary in the end to tell the story of a person, of a generation, of a system and society in all its universality.

The final shot is primed with primal emotion, as well as intellectual realisation. Analysis concludes a very well constructed and executed narrative. This is a high achievement from South Korea cinema once again.

I feel privileged to have witnessed this hard yet crucial artistic creation in fine company.

FANTASIA FILM FESTIVAL 2022 SOUTH KOREA KOREAN W/ ENG SUB 134 MIN DIR.: JULY JUNG.

This movie is about the exploitation of minors (high school students) and how the whole liberal system crushes individuals and how a toxic workplace can ruin many lives. This movie Is about the dark side of the Korean labour market, and touches on many important subjects.

Bae Doona's performance Is absolutely breathtaking, as always. She's one of the best actresses of this generation.

Being close to burn-out myself, I couldn't hold back my tears during this move. It brought back many memories and made me rethink my life. Not many movies can have that effect ... It's a masterpiece. You should watch it m.

The actors were great. Through the entire first half of the movie I felt uncomfortable in a good way. We are presented with situations where any of us can relate as some basic level, and top of great acting, we are not sure what the right answer is to the situation at first signs. The 2nd half of the movie feels a little out of place at the beginning, but after a little bit, it starts to pick up, and everything starts to come together very nicely which implies current issues in South Korea work culture. There is not much soundtrack in the movie which I did not mind. I will be expecting more from this director.