‘Aloners’ review was written in association with the The Korean Cultural Centre Canada as part of the Korean Honorary Reporters program (KHR)

Eventive – International Film Festival of Ottawa

‘Aloners’ captures the isolation faced by many in our ever changing world that has been made worse due to the ongoing Pandemic. ‘Aloners’ explores a lifestyle that isn’t uncommon in our modern world.

Due to ever developing technology, human bonds and connections are left broken and isolation is breaking out across society. The film was previously featured in the famous Toronto International Film Festival in 2021. South Korea’s Ambassador Chang introduces the film once again to Canadian audiences at the International Film Festival Of Ottawa.

We are lulled into the daily life of the protagonist – Jina living her quiet life in an apartment building and working at a credit card call center as a customer service assistant. We follow her daily life which is seemingly tedious and lonely. 

She is quietly successful, she is far from the boastful type – Jina. To her colleagues she pushes the challenges out of the window to the dismay of her teammates. Who, like Jina herself, faces risk of job loss as AI, which is likely one day to also eat up their jobs. 

Jina continues her daily life in seclusion with her headphones and smartphone keeping her comfort each day.

Beyond work, she struggles with a relationship with her Father and barely holds down a relationship with others. She even missed out on inheritance following the loss of her Mother and with only a second of regret she stamps the agreement to her inheritance loss.

The Young Folks Website

Her ambitious neighbour tries to constantly build a friendship with Jina. He is often popping up in the corridor outside his home trying to make conversation. As the story gets underway and a new neighbor comes as an old one goes.

The film follows as her life starts changing and reflects on her struggle and realizations. The change of directions starts; the small changes seem to start after taking responsibility of a trainee.

If you want to watch the film check out the link.

*The film is showing in Ottawa on Friday 11 March 2022 at 9:15 pm. For the opportunity to hear the director Hong Sung-eun talk about the film on March 18 at 7 pm Register Here.

This program is presented by The Korean Cultural Centre Canada.

About the film: 

Aloners

2021 / 91 minutes / South Korea

Director: Hong Sung-eun

Writer: Hong Sung-eun

Language: Korean Subtitles: English

Awards: 

Cine21 2021, Best New Director of the Year, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2021, Best New Actress Gong Seung-Yeon, Torino Film Festival 2021,

Best Actress: Gong Seung-Yeon

Let us know – what you thought of this film?

Have you watched any other Korean films or series?

Check out Juvenile Justice on Netflix.

This article is part of Korea Net’s Honorary Reporters program which will be published on the SeoulTheJourney periodically.