Just Friends? (Hangul: 친구사이?; RR: Chingusai?) is a 2009 South Korean short film directed and written by Kim Jho Kwang-soo. It is the second installment in a series of gay-themed short films directed by Kim, following the 2008 film Boy Meets Boy. The film stars Yeon Woo-jin and Lee Je-hoon, who together play a couple that must deal with the issue of coming out.
It premiered at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival on October 10, 2009. Two months later on December 17, Just Friends? was theatrically released in South Korea.
A follow-up to Just Friends?, titled LOVE, 100°C, was released in 2010.
It premiered at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival on October 10, 2009. Two months later on December 17, Just Friends? was theatrically released in South Korea.
A follow-up to Just Friends?, titled LOVE, 100°C, was released in 2010.
Description
Movie: Just Friends?
Revised romanization: Chingu sai?
Hangul: 친구사이? / 친구 사이?
Director: Kim-Jho Gwang-Soo
Writer: Min Yong-Keun
Producer:
Cinematographer:
Release Date: December 17, 2009
Runtime: 30 min.
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Revised romanization: Chingu sai?
Hangul: 친구사이? / 친구 사이?
Director: Kim-Jho Gwang-Soo
Writer: Min Yong-Keun
Producer:
Cinematographer:
Release Date: December 17, 2009
Runtime: 30 min.
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Casts
Yeon Woo-jin as Min-soo: Yeon is sometimes credited under his former stage name, Seo Ji-hoo.
Lee Je-hoon as Seok-i: Although his name is I-seok, he is referred to most people as Seok-i.
Lee Seon-joo as Min-soo's mom: As a Christian, she turns to church when she finds out that her son is gay.
Lee Chae-eun as Chae-eun: Chae-eun is a stranger who accompanies Seok-i during their trips to and from the soldier visiting center to meet her boyfriend. Later in the film, she finds out that her boyfriend is gay, which causes her emotional distress.
Moon Seong-kwon as Sergeant: Chae-eun's boyfriend, he tells her that he is gay. Seok-i says to Chae-eun that he could tell from the beginning.
Son Cheol-min as Visiting Center Soldier: He refuses to let Seok-i get a new visitor form when Seok-i accidentally indicates on the original that he is Min-soo's partner.
Go Soo-hee as Restaurant Owner: Seok-i's employer, she allows Seok-i to take a break from work to go out with Min-soo.
Im Ji-hyeon as Bus Soldier 1
Ojeki Sinya as Bus Soldier 2
Lee Chun-hyeong as Ticket Office Worker: She informs Seok-i that there is no transportation available to take him home, forcing him to stay with Min-soo and his mother that night.
Lee Je-hoon as Seok-i: Although his name is I-seok, he is referred to most people as Seok-i.
Lee Seon-joo as Min-soo's mom: As a Christian, she turns to church when she finds out that her son is gay.
Lee Chae-eun as Chae-eun: Chae-eun is a stranger who accompanies Seok-i during their trips to and from the soldier visiting center to meet her boyfriend. Later in the film, she finds out that her boyfriend is gay, which causes her emotional distress.
Moon Seong-kwon as Sergeant: Chae-eun's boyfriend, he tells her that he is gay. Seok-i says to Chae-eun that he could tell from the beginning.
Son Cheol-min as Visiting Center Soldier: He refuses to let Seok-i get a new visitor form when Seok-i accidentally indicates on the original that he is Min-soo's partner.
Go Soo-hee as Restaurant Owner: Seok-i's employer, she allows Seok-i to take a break from work to go out with Min-soo.
Im Ji-hyeon as Bus Soldier 1
Ojeki Sinya as Bus Soldier 2
Lee Chun-hyeong as Ticket Office Worker: She informs Seok-i that there is no transportation available to take him home, forcing him to stay with Min-soo and his mother that night.
Synopsis
The film begins with a trot performance by various characters during the opening credits. Seok-i (Lee Je-hoon) anxiously awaits the arrival of his boyfriend Min-soo (Yeon Woo-jin), who has taken leave from the military. Shortly after they reunite, they are met by Min-soo's mother (Lee Seon-joo), who is unaware of their relationship. Seok-i decides to stay with Min-soo and his mother at an inn when he realizes there is no way for him to get back home.
The next day, after Min-soo's mother leaves for church, the couple become physically intimate back in their room. Their session is cut short, however, when Min-soo's mother returns unexpectedly early and becomes devastated by the revelation. Seok-i returns home that night. Then there is a short confession song by Min-soo for his mother, telling her that he is gay and that he will continue to love Seok-i.
Sometime after the event, Seok-i is shown working at a restaurant when he is encountered by Min-soo, who is on leave again. As the two run outside, a voice-over of Min-soo's telephone conversation with his mother plays—Min-soo tells her that he will return home together with Seok-i. Meanwhile, as the voice-over ends, the couple kisses in public.
The ending credits features the trot theme again by four performers in drag. Afterward, there is a brief clip of Min-soo and Seok-i at the same visiting center in the beginning of the film. As Seok-i gets ready to begin his military service, his mother is heard calling him—the two lovers look at each other in dismay as they realize another cycle of coming out.
The next day, after Min-soo's mother leaves for church, the couple become physically intimate back in their room. Their session is cut short, however, when Min-soo's mother returns unexpectedly early and becomes devastated by the revelation. Seok-i returns home that night. Then there is a short confession song by Min-soo for his mother, telling her that he is gay and that he will continue to love Seok-i.
Sometime after the event, Seok-i is shown working at a restaurant when he is encountered by Min-soo, who is on leave again. As the two run outside, a voice-over of Min-soo's telephone conversation with his mother plays—Min-soo tells her that he will return home together with Seok-i. Meanwhile, as the voice-over ends, the couple kisses in public.
The ending credits features the trot theme again by four performers in drag. Afterward, there is a brief clip of Min-soo and Seok-i at the same visiting center in the beginning of the film. As Seok-i gets ready to begin his military service, his mother is heard calling him—the two lovers look at each other in dismay as they realize another cycle of coming out.
Comments
Post a Comment