This post is about the K-movie “Next Sohee” Review and Backstories.
K-movie “Next Sohee” Review
Today, I would like to review the K-movie, “Next Sohee”, directed by Jung Ju-ri, which is based on a true story and was also featured on the investigative program “SBS I Want to Know That.”
“Next Sohee” revolves around the suicide incident of a high school intern at a call center in Jeonju. The film portrays the events experienced by Sohee, a high school student sent for on-site training at the call center. It unfolds a powerful story that captivates Detective Yoo-jin, who raises questions about the incident, and their paths cross in the same space but different times.
Directed by Jung Ju-ri, “Next Sohee” is her second feature film, following her directorial debut with ” A Girl at My Door”. The film received acclaim at the 75th Cannes Film Festival’s International Critics’ Week Closing Film, with a standing ovation lasting seven minutes after the screening.
Subsequently, it was selected as the closing film at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada, where it won both the Best Director Award and the Audience Award, achieving a two-fold victory. The film received numerous awards at various film festivals, earning recognition for its commercial success and artistic merit, leading to continuous invitations from prestigious international film festivals.
As mentioned earlier, “Next Sohee” marks the second collaboration between director Jung Ju-ri, who debuted with ” A Girl at My Door.”, and actresses Kim Si-eun and especially Bae Doo-na. The film garnered significant attention and expectations even before its release due to the cast and the director’s involvement in the script and direction. The title “Next Sohee” conveys the meaning of another Sohee, representing hope for countless others like the protagonist Sohee. This word “next” encapsulates the significance of hope for other Sohees.
The performances of the familiar actress Bae Doo-na and the newly discovered talent Kim Si-eun left a lasting impression. While watching the film, I felt a sense of frustration and discomfort, but there were also moments of relief.
Given that the film is based on a true story, the conclusion is inevitably predetermined. However, the director seems to have aimed to provide some relief to the audience’s emotions through these scenes. The film sheds light on the exploitative and human rights-violating practices in the guise of educational internships. It portrays a world where people are treated merely as tools. Throughout the movie, I felt a sense of oppression, injustice, and anger.
Sohee, who stares blankly at a glimmer of light reflecting on her bare feet, seems to have lost hope in herself, thinking that there is no light left for her. She had no adult figure to share the unfairness and pain she was experiencing. If there had been even one adult-like figure beside Sohee, she might have been able to pursue her dreams despite the hardships.
In summary, “Next Sohee” is a compelling film that addresses real-world issues, leaving the audience with a mix of emotions, ranging from frustration to moments of catharsis. The performances, direction, and the film’s societal critique contribute to its success and recognition at international film festivals.
K-movie “Next Sohee” Backstories
Director Jung Ju-ri and Actress Bae Doo-na
Director Jung Ju-ri and actress Bae Doo-na are collaborating for the second time, following their work on the film ” A Girl at My Door”. In their latest project, “Next Sohee,” Bae Doo-na takes on the role of a detective once again. She previously portrayed a detective in films such as “A Girl at My Door”, “Stranger”, and “Broker”.
Motivation for the movie “Next Sohee”
The idea for the film “Next Sohee” originated when director Jung Ju-ri received a proposal from the production company to create a movie based on the real-life incident involving a call center intern in Jeonju. In late 2020, after learning about the full story of the incident through an episode of the SBS program “I Want to Know That,” Jung Ju-ri was deeply shocked and realized that even someone like herself, a seemingly ordinary and upright citizen, could unknowingly contribute to such a situation as a silent bystander. This revelation prompted her strong determination to create a film that would bring this story to the public.
Scenario Preparation Process
To gather concrete and objective materials, Jung Ju-ri received relevant documents from the SBS team that covered the incident. Additionally, she referred to the book by journalist Heo Hwan-joo, who first reported on the incident and continued to follow up on the case. Using these materials, Jung Ju-ri delved into understanding the environment of the call center, school, and educational authorities, as well as the facts surrounding the events. This enabled her to imagine the relationships, emotions, and experiences of the individuals involved. The director felt the necessity of telling Yoo-jin’s story, who had to step forward for us, and spent five intense months, day and night, completing the screenplay.
Casting Behind
When it came to casting Bae Doo-na, Jung Ju-ri had already envisioned her as Yoo-jin while writing the screenplay. She admired Bae Doo-na’s ability to captivate the audience even when entering the story midway, especially after the death of the protagonist Sohee. Jung Ju-ri sent the script to Bae Doo-na right after finishing it, and the next day, she received a call from Bae Doo-na, marking their reunion seven years after ” A Girl at My Door”
Bae Doo-na expressed her admiration for Jung Ju-ri’s storytelling and writing style, stating that she rarely falls for movies, but Jung Ju-ri’s works always resonate with her. She emphasized that Jung Ju-ri carefully considers and deliberates on decisions, making her movies stand out.
For the role of Sohee, Jung Ju-ri aimed to cast a fresh face not seen before in Korean cinema. Despite being prepared to conduct numerous auditions, the director’s associate recommended rookie actress Kim Si-eun, who had previous connections with the project. After the first meeting, Jung Ju-ri cast Kim Si-eun as Sohee, as she believed Si-eun’s response to the script indicated a deep understanding of the character and a unique perspective. Kim Si-eun expressed her hope that Sohee’s story would be conveyed to many viewers, and the transformation of the narrative from Sohee to Yoo-jin was creatively refreshing.
Others
- Kim Si-eun wore only slippers on set even in January and February, leading Bae Doo-na to tease her about method acting. Ironically, Kim Si-eun found wearing shoes and taking them off bothersome, so she opted for slippers. This was mentioned in an article about the preview screening.
- K-pop singer IU also created a buzz by recommending the movie in her post.
- Given that the film is based on real events, it draws inspiration from Episode 1068 of the TV show ” SBS I Want to Know That”, where the incident was covered. Jang Kyung-joo PD, who covered the event at the time, appeared with Bae Doo-na on the YouTube channel “Gu Al” for their first schedule related to the movie.
