In November 1988 when the movie "Chilsu and Mansu" premiered, Seoul had just successfully hosted the Summer Olympics for the first time and its spirit still hung in the air.

The movie shows the shadows of youth lingering back behind the brightness, where Korea was changing rapidly with increased socioeconomic development.

Protagonists Chilsu and Mansu make a living painting billboards on high-rises. The movie shows how what seems to be glory is achieved through their pain and despair.

Skilled at drawing, Chilsu (Park Joong-hoon) has high hopes that his older sister will invite him to live in the U.S. He is working as an assistant painter to Mansu (Ahn Sung-ki), who spends his days wallowing in alcohol and drowning his contempt for society. He missed a promising overseas job opportunity because his father was an unconverted, long-term political prisoner.

Chilsu loses hope in moving to the U.S. and in courting Jina, a college student. Mansu unleashes great regret from deep within his heart. Together they goof around on a rooftop and are mistaken as people attempting suicide, ultimately leading to an unfortunate turn as Mansu falls off.

The film was presented at the 42nd Locarno International Film Festival and became the winner of the 2nd runner up prize in the Young Critics' award section. It was also presented at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival, and the 3rd Singapore International Film Festival.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr



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