By Honorary Reporter Adriane Josef Cabase from Philippines

Photos = Hans Gabriel Cordial

(Left) Official poster for "When Love Met a Language" and (right) its student filmmaker Hans Gabriel Cordial.

The winners of Kwentong Korea: Student Short Film Competition of the Korean Film Festival organized by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines on July 18 were announced.

Hans Gabriel Cordial, a University of the Philippines student and filmmaker, won the grand prize for his short film "When Love Met a Language." The theme of this year's contest was "K-Story: Stories that Move Us."

His work follows two young sisters as they struggle to understand and name their emotions in a household where feelings are rarely expressed. The message is that people around us often become our first teachers in understanding ourselves.

In an online interview on July 20, Cordial said the film reflects his own experiences.

Growing up, he said he found it difficult to express his feelings because emotional conversations were rarely encouraged, something that changed after he discovered Korean dramas and music that openly explored mental health, healing and vulnerability.

"At its heart, the film is a social commentary on how these emotional struggles do not always begin within ourselves, but are often shaped by the systems we live in," he said.

Despite its short length, the film took six months to complete and over 30 student filmmakers from colleges.

Actor Kathleen Atienza (clockwise from upper left) in mid-April this year performs in a restaurant scene from "When Love Met a Language," a production team member prepares for a take and fellow cast member Gail Majomoc appears in the same scene in Quezon City during principal filming.

Cordial recalled moments of exhaustion and financial challenges throughout production, but said the team's bond pulled them through.

"We treated each other not just as colleagues but as one big family," he said. "Sharing meals, laughter and difficult moments helped us push through every challenge until the very end."

Actors Gail Majomoc and Kathleen Atienza (left) in mid-April this year film a scene from "When Love Met a Language" and listen to director Hans Gabriel Cordial during production in Quezon City.

Cordial drew inspiration from the Korean concept of han, a deep and enduring feeling of sorrow, grief, regret and unfulfilled hope shaped by history.

"I believe this is one of the reasons Philippine audiences find themselves drawn to Korean stories," he said. "We too have endured a history marked by colonization, loss and struggle. In many ways, we carry a feeling akin to han, embraced through our own sense of pakikipagkapwa (humaneness). Sometimes, all we can do is say 'Hwaiting!,' a familiar Korean expression that echoes our own, 'Laban!'"

The director added that stories transcend borders because they speak to emotions shared by people regardless of nationality.

"Above all, I hope this film builds a sense of camaraderie between our peoples. Because at the very heart of our souls, whether we are Korean or Filipino, there are universal emotions we are bound to share."

Winning the competition also earned him and his production team a free trip to Korea to attend the Busan International Film Festival. The opportunity will allow the student filmmakers to engage with the global community and deepen their understanding of Korean cinema.

The top three finishers in the including "When Love Met a Language" will be screened at the annual Korean Film Festival held this month by the KCC.

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.