Korean film 'Pavane' offers story of love, salvation

From left, actors Byeon Yo-han, Moon Sang-min and Ko A-sung in a scene from Netflix movie “Pavane” / Courtesy of Netflix

“Pavane,” an upcoming Netflix film, is a youthful melodrama following a woman hiding from the world due to her appearance and two men who find hope through their encounters with her.

“I have dreamed of making a melodrama since I was a teenager, when I used to write in my diary that love saves humanity and every movie is ultimately about love,” director Lee Jong-pil said during a press conference for the film in Seoul on Thursday.

He said he focused on sending a message to those who might be questioning their own lives that they will eventually meet someone and fall in love in some way.

“Pavane” is based on the Korean novel “Pavane for a Dead Princess” by Park Min-gyu, published in 2009. It centers three people who have closed their hearts to the world but eventually become a light for one another.

Actor Ko A-sung plays Mi-jeong, a woman who hides from the uncomfortable stares of others, while Byeon Yo-han portrays Yo-han, a free-spirited man, and Moon Sang-min plays Gyeong-rok, a young man who gives up his dream of becoming a dancer and must face the harsh reality of life.

The actors expressed their deep trust in director Lee, who previously found success with “Samjin Company English Class” (2020) and “Escape” (2024).

Ko, who is collaborating with Lee for the second time following “Samjin Company English Class,” said her decision to join this project was based on the director's unique empathy.

“The director himself used to be an actor, so I chose this movie without hesitation because I know he understands the hearts of actors better than anyone else,” she said.

From left, actors Byeon Yo-han, Ko A-sung and Moon Sang-min pose during a press conference for their Netflix movie “Pavane” at a theater in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Lee praised Ko for her performance and said she was the perfect choice to lead the film.

“I wanted the character to shine despite her gloomy circumstances, and Ko A-sung captured that transition from darkness to light beautifully,” the director said, adding that her face truly reflected the meaning of beauty as the story progressed.

The film also marks a silver screen debut for Moon, who prepared for his role through a close reading with the director.

“I met with the director every morning at 6 or 7 a.m. to drink coffee and read the script together,” the actor said.

He explained that they spent a long time finding the right facial expressions for Gyeong-rok.

“I focused on conveying energy through a vacant gaze rather than just delivering lines, and I spent a lot of time looking in the mirror to find Gyeong-rok's face within my daily life,” he added.

Byeon said he believes “Pavane” is a movie that everyone will truly love and encouraged viewers to experience the story.

“The emotion of love cannot be explained by science, but it exists everywhere like oxygen,” the actor said.

“Pavane” will be released on Netflix on Feb. 20.