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.

Korean director once again used concise and powerful shots to criticize a certain kind of difficult-to-solve structural defect in society.

The first half of the film is a bit tedious, but the story progresses gradually and vividly reflects common workplace culture. The second half of the film turns sharply, and the film begins to question relevant departments sharply. The shots in this section are powerful and inspiring. Interestingly, when you look back at it, all kinds of trivial descriptions in the first half are indispensable and extremely vivid. The whole movie is seamless and neat. There are no superfluous scenes, and each character is designed appropriately and full of details.

Someone can use this as a topic to expose the universality of corporate trampling on labor laws, which is a brave and admirable behavior in East Asia where governments often fail to protect workers' rights. I am very pleased with this.

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.

"Next Sohee" is a poignant and socially conscious film that quietly builds emotional weight as it unfolds. It explores harsh realities faced by young people entering the workforce, and the pressure and neglect that can lead to devastating consequences.

The film is split into two parts, and while the first half focuses on the titular character and her struggles, the second half shifts perspective in a way that feels both jarring and effective. This narrative structure adds depth, even if it may not resonate equally with everyone.

Visually, the movie is restrained but purposeful, and the performances-especially by Kim Si-eun as Sohee-are subtle yet impactful. There's a lingering sadness throughout the film that stays with you, though at times the pacing can feel a bit slow or stretched.

"Next Sohee" doesn't offer easy resolutions, but it handles its themes with sensitivity and care. It's a solid film that's not always easy to watch, but certainly worth it.

"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.