Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
'Boy in the Pool' delves into teenage scars, growth
Actors Yang Hee-won, left, and Lee Ye-won in a scene from “Boy in the Pool” / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
By Baek Byung-yeul
Director Ryu Yeon-su's teenage drama, "Boy in the Pool," offers a tender and nuanced exploration of adolescence, tracing the intertwined journeys of a boy and a girl navigating the ups and downs of friendship, rivalry and self-discovery.
"Boy in the Pool" delicately portrays the universal struggles of teenagers grappling with their identities and charting their life's course.
Set against the backdrop of a nostalgic summer in 2007, the movie revolves around 13-year-old Seok-young, a girl with a passion for swimming, who moves with her mother and younger sister to her late grandmother's house. There, she encounters Woo-ju, a peculiar boy with webbed toes.
Intrigued by Woo-ju's unique feature, they soon become friends and discover the secret behind his remarkable swimming skill. Bonded by their mutual love for swimming, they form a strong connection, cemented further by a childhood promise to swim together always.
However, as they grow, Seok-young's lack of talent begins to breed jealousy towards the naturally gifted Woo-ju. Their paths diverge when Woo-ju leaves for Seoul to pursue his dream of becoming a professional swimmer, leaving Seok-young behind.
Actors Yang Hee-won, left, and Lee Ye-won in a scene from “Boy in the Pool” / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
Six years later, in the summer of 2013, an 18-year-old Woo-ju, whose distinctive webbed toes are now less pronounced, returns to Seok-young. When he confesses that his physical condition is changing, Seok-young, unable to face the possible frustration of his hopes, gets angry.
In a moment she can't take back, the girl reveals the boy’s physical secret to others. With his secret brought into the open, the boy loses his aspirations and disappears.
The film is not a typical teenage romance, instead emphasizing the complex emotions that arise while growing up.
Young actor Lee Ye-won embodies the 13-year-old Seok-young with youthful innocence, while Hyo-woo, a member of the renowned dance crew HOOK, takes on the role of the older Seok-young, showcasing not only her potential as an actor but also a relatable vulnerability.
Actor Lee Min-jae convincingly portrays the dedicated swimmer Woo-ju across his teenage and young adult years.
Actors Lee Min-jae, left, and Hyo-woo in a scene from “Boy in the Pool” / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
Hyo-woo, making her acting debut, expressed her gratitude for her co-star at a press conference after the film's premiere.
"I really didn't know anything (about acting), so I had many questions. I was like a 'question bot.' I depended on Lee Min-jae a lot. I bombarded him with questions, and thanks to his help, I was able to complete the film smoothly," she said.
Lee also said he relied on Hyo-woo a lot, saying their chemistry was great.
“Hyo-woo said she relied on me, but I also relied on her a lot," Lee said. “I think Hyo-woo portrayed Seok-young so naturally and beautifully, and I learned a lot from her. The on-set chemistry was great. The director created a comfortable atmosphere, so we filmed in a relaxed and enjoyable environment."
The actor added he put lots of effort into his portrayal. “I really tried to look like a swimmer. I had mostly played intense characters before, so I had to express the opposite this time. The director made me feel comfortable, and I think my natural, personal side is reflected in the film,” he said.
Actors Hyo-woo, left, and Lee Min-jae in a scene from “Boy in the Pool” / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
The movie gained attention when it was unveiled at the Jeonju International Film Festival last year for portraying anxieties and poignant moments of puberty, highlighting Ryu as a rising filmmaker with a keen eye for the subtle complexities of youth.
Ryu explained her casting choice for Hyo-woo, saying she was captivated by the dancer's performance on Mnet's "Street Woman Fighter."
"She showcased a musical-like dance on the show. Her movements were large, but her facial expressions were controlled. I thought that with such expressive abilities, she would also excel in screen acting. I thought she resembled Liu Yifei," the director said.
Lee Ye-won, who played the younger Seok-young, found the unique element of webbed toes intriguing.
“I thought the idea of webbed toes was fresh. Before filming, I had a long meeting with the director. It was fun talking with her, and I really wanted to work with her,” she said.
Yang Hee-won, who portrayed the young Woo-ju, initially had a different impression of the webbed toes. "When I read the script, I thought he was like a superhero with webbed toes. But when we were filming, they looked more like a frog's webbed feet, which was different from what I imagined. Overall, I was impressed by how well everything came together."
“Boy in the Pool” will be released on theaters May 14.