The Day He Arrives

The Day He Arrives is a mesmerizing South Korean drama movie led by the Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo that invites its viewers into a slowly unfolding sequence of events in a single day. The 2011 film stars Joon-Sang Yoo, Sang-Jung Kim, and Song Seon-mi, some of the most respected actors in Korean cinema.

The main protagonist of the film is Seongjun (Joon-Sang Yoo), a former film director who has since put his directing days behind him and now works as a professor in a provincial town. He travels to Seoul, where his film industry friends and former colleagues reside, aiming to meet an old friend. However, as fate would have it, he learns that his friend has left the town just before his arrival.

Owing to this unexpected twist, Seongjun ends up wandering the streets of Bukchon, a charming traditional Korean village located in the heart of Seoul. During his roaming in the city, Seongjun comes across several familiar faces, some planned and some purely by chance. This starts a cascade of observations, interactions, and events, leading him on a reflective journey through his own past, career, romantic relationships, and friendships.

Sang-Jung Kim portrays the role of a passionate film fan and teacher whom Seongjun happens to meet during his wanderings. Song Seon-mi appears as Kyungjin, an elegant woman who seems to bear a striking resemblance to Seongjun's past love. Their engaging performances inject the movie with multiple layers of emotional depth.

A feature of Hong Sang-soo's movies are their unconventional narrative structure and The Day He Arrives is no exception. The narrative structure of the movie is rhythmically fragmented and gives the impression of a repeating loop, making time appear as a distorted and blurring entity. However, this is not a flaw but a deliberate choice to mimic the ebbs and flows of memory and the elusive tricks it plays.

Hong uses his characters to explore the deeply human themes of romance, loneliness, nostalgia, regret, and self-knowledge, offering significant insights into the human condition. All of his characters appear to be lost in their own world, yet their emotions, experiences, and encounters are highly relatable. The movie has a profound yet subtle charm that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.

A highlight of the movie is its black-and-white cinematic scheme. The film was shot completely in black-and-white, which gives it a timeless, classic appeal, reinforcing the film's exploration into the concept of temporality. The quality of the cinematography beautifully captures the details of the environments and facial expressions of the characters, making it incredibly poignant and visually stimulating. This simplicity of treatment enhances the film’s effect, allowing viewers to engage directly with the complexity of its characters and the subtlety of its plot.

The dialogues, mostly improvised, are refreshingly authentic and exhibit the facets of the characters' personalities, often leading to charmingly awkward and humorous moments that are a trademark of Hong's direction. These moments are captured with a delightful blend of real-life humor and a respectful portrayal of human vulnerabilities.

In terms of music, the film features improvised piano pieces, authentically blended into the storyline. It gently complements the pace and rhythm of the movie, creating an immersive atmosphere. Hong's masterful use of music, combined with the raw and ethereal soundscape of Bukchon, adds to the movie's sparkle.

The Day He Arrives demands an open mindset and a thoughtful audience who can appreciate its subtleties and its unique treatment of storytelling. It is a movie that doesn't focus on a linear narrative or a tight plot, but more on the ebb and flow of life's unpredictability, our need for semblances of past happiness, and our tendencies to romanticize these past experiences.

Whether you are a film enthusiast or generally love meaningful cinema, The Day He Arrives is an intriguing exploration of life, memory, and time. It’s a film that doesn’t just ask to be watched, but to be experienced. The film reminds us of the beautiful yet fleeting nature of encounters and makes us more aware of the bittersweet beauty that lies in everyday life, adding a uniquely poetic flavor to this cinematic journey.