High Society

"High Society" is a 2018 South Korean drama film directed by Byun Hyuk. This social-critique film features high-power performances from its lead actors; Park Hae-il, Soo Ae, and Kim Gyu-Sun.

The film presents a nuanced exploration of ambition, power, and society's elite through the life of a married couple and their ambitious desire to rise above their station. The narrative focuses on the interactions of four main characters - a professor at an art school, his curatorial director wife, a younger student, and a successful artist.

Park Hae-il portrays Jang Tae-joo, an ambitious economics professor at a prestigious university with dreams of stepping into politics. His character is presented as someone who’s fiercely competitive, thoughtful, and incredibly ambitious, aiming to meet the right people to climb the social ladder. He harbors a deep-seated desire to break through his moderate lifestyle and yearns to emerge out into the upper crust of society.

Contrasting his ostensibly humble living, Soo Ae plays Soo-Yeon, Jang's stylish wife whose job as a senior curator at an art gallery places her among high society's elite. Soo-Yeon is elegant, bold, and just as ambitious as her husband. While brushing shoulders with the affluent, she attempts to leverage her social environment to further her husband's political ambitions.

Kim Gyu-Sun plays Yoon-ah, a promising art student who gets caught in Jang and Soo-Yeon's complex web of ambition. Amid their struggles to ascend into the upper echelons, her life becomes unwittingly intertwined with the couple.

"High Society" subtly yet powerfully encapsulates the depths to which people will go to change their lives and move up in society. It poses questions about morality, ambition, aspiration and the human desire of moving beyond their present circumstances. The narrative challenges the audience's perspectives by illustrating the societal pressures and desire for status and wealth – showcasing the personal and public consequences these aspirations can cause.

Director Byun Hyuk lays out rich characterizations that bring life to the story and offer an insightful commentary on the social hierarchy. He brilliantly maneuvers through the characters' different facets, gradually revealing their ambitions, integrity, and eventually the extent of their ruthlessness. The film's narrative juxtaposes these characters' worlds of glamour and power with their internal struggle for recognition, portraying a mirror to societal materialism and the personal toll it takes.

The film’s attention to detail is visible in its splendid visual storytelling. The cinematography mesmerizes the viewer with luxurious textures and colors, sharply contrasting the lavish lives of societal upper class and the lives of those aspiring to reach those heights. The contrast is not just limited to materialistic aspects, but it extends to the intangible as well - the portrayal of power dynamics, societal norms, and the hidden contours of human interactions.

Furthermore, the film resonates with a beautifully crafted musical score that accentuates the narrative's emotional depth. It rhythmically carries the story forward and designs its pivotal moments with precision.

The main strength of "High Society" lies in the performances of its lead actors. Park Hae-il delivers a strong, layered performance as a man torn between his ambitions and ethical concerns. On the other hand, Soo Ae brings a unique blend of vulnerability and steely determination to her character. Kim Gyu-Sun also puts a commendable performance as a young woman caught in the crossfire of the couple's ambitions.

"High Society" is a contemplative and thought-provoking film, painting a social landscape that goes beyond simply detailing the lives of the wealthy. It judges and critiques the societal system while reflecting on what ambition can do to individuals. Though the story can be heavy at times, it provides enough intrigue to keep the audience engaged, offering an incisive commentary on societal norms, power dynamics, and ambitions. The film depicts the resonating implications sewn by the drive for high society life, making it a compelling watch.