Journal of korean melodrama christmas in august (1998)

Number] Christmas in August Christmas in August is a 1998 Korean film directed by Heo Jin-ho whichwon the hearts of the audience as well as the critics. The story of the film revolved around Jung-won who was a carefree, quiet, and young owner of a photography studio. Jung has a secret that only his father and his sister known apart from himself; he has a terminal disease. He decides to live the rest of his life peacefully in Seoul running his small business. However, a woman who enters his life, Da-rim, spoils his plans. She is a meter maid and becomes a regular customer at Jung’s studio. Jung decides and tries his best not to get into a relationship with her but eventually they form one.
The film tends to have a weak plot but there is a strong in-depth look at both the characters that the audience can implicitly feel. The audience see and feel how Jung experiences the illness and how he deals with the people during the last days of his life. There is a silence among the members of his family because they are the only ones aware of it. Jung also holds back his emotions when he is with his friends and that is a painful moment. The relationship with Da-rim and Jung is the central focus of this story. Da-rim affects him deeply and how he responds to her is a beautiful feeling in the film. People often take others for granted but Jung’s character gives an emotional sensation to the audience on how painful it is when you know you don’t have time.
In addition, the interesting thing about this film is that there are not many dialogues throughout the film. This is a strong point but it may as well start seeming to be a negative point as it drags the movie in some scenes. But this technique works for the emotional audience as the awkward and meaningful silences bring out the feel between the characters even in scenes when Jung is working alone and there is silence which expresses his isolation, pain, and loneliness.
There is another major element in this film which is the subtleness. The audience get a sense that Jung and Da-rim have fallen in love but the film doesn’t really show a formal acceptance or declaration of their love. Jung would never talk about his illness but it is evident how it is affecting his relationship. The film does not even disclose the actual illness that Jung is going through and thus the movie is subtly explained through the actions and expressions of the characters that have done a great job on screen. This fact may leave the film open to several interpretations; it would also make this film thought provoking.
Christmas in August is an overall emotional, touching, and romantic film which focuses around the life of a dying man and his last days. The film shows his feelings and responses towards his new love. The film has many moments that show deep feelings and emotions which rather put the audience in awe. The characters have done a great job by showing their feelings and emotions just by expressions and without using many dialogues. This is a strong point in the film itself. The story could get a little slow pace in some scenes but overall it is an enjoyable and impactful movie.
Work Cited
Jin-ho Heo. Christmas in August. South Korea: Cha Seung-jae, 1998. Print.