28th BIFF Journey of self-discovery takes center stage as 'Because I Hate Korea' opens 28th Busan International Film Festival
From left, producer Youn Hee-young, actors Joo Jong-hyuk and Kim Woo-kyum and director Jang Kun-jae pose during a press conference for 'Because I Hate Korea,' the opening film for the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, Wednesday. Courtesy of BIFF
BUSAN — The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) opened, Wednesday, with the subtle, stinging film "Because I Hate Korea" by filmmaker Jang Kun-jae, known for his 2014 film "A Midsummer’s Fantasia."
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Chang Kang-myoung, the drama takes a poignant look at modern-day alienation through the lens of a woman in her late 20s, Gye-na (Ko A-sung), traveling abroad to find answers to her identity and happiness.
Gye-na hates Korea, especially its harsh winter, resembling the cold abandonment she feels from society. After graduating from a decent college, she gets a decent job that comes with a painfully long commute and working hours and establishes a stable long-term relationship with her college sweetheart, Ji-myung (Kim Woo-kyum).
Despite the stability, she constantly struggles with Korea's social rigidities, the pressure to financially support her not-so-well-off family and her insecurities with her boyfriend’s rich family, until she finally has enough.
Director Jang Kun-jae's film "Because I Hate Korea" was selected as the opening film for this year's BIFF. Courtesy of BIFF
Facing a crisis, she decides to leave her job and relationship behind to start life anew in a temperate country — New Zealand. There, she juggles part-time jobs and navigates a tranquil life in the Land of the Long White Cloud, while encountering different friends, notably Jae-in (Joo Jong-hyuk).
Originally pitched at BIFF seven years ago, the project took years to materialize, especially with COVID-19 delaying its overseas production.
Director Jang said the original novel inspired him to bring the story to life and share its message.
“The novel came out in 2015 and I read it in the year it was published. I read it on my airplane ride and in 2015, as you know, Korean society was going through heated and significant changes. And this novel was right in the midst of that. Although I had a different life than Gye-na’s, some parts of the story resonated with me,” Jang said during a press conference for the film held at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, Wednesday.
“At the time, not realizing it would be such a difficult project, I simply thought I wanted to adapt it into a film and share it with many people. So I started looking into its copyrights and began the project at BIFF."
A scene from the film "Because I Hate Korea" / Courtesy of BIFF
Nam Dong-chul, program director and acting festival director of BIFF, noted that the movie was selected as the opening film for its power to speak not only to domestic viewers but also to global audiences.
“The film features different characters but the common factors among them are that they are young adults and have a lot of uncertainty about the future. Many films and series that touch on their story tend to neglect one thing. And it is the reality they face, which was depicted in different ways (in the film) … This film brazenly addresses those various concerns, which I believe will make audiences empathize with the film,” Nam said.
“Although the title refers to a specific country, Korea, it also reflects the challenges that young generations universally face. One of the important values we consider in a film is how candidly it reflects our lives. And to that point, this film holds that special value.”
Actress Ko A-sung plays the role of Gye-na in the film "Because I Hate Korea" / Courtesy of BIFF
Nam added that Gye-na’s narrative of pursuing her happiness will send a message of hope to the audiences as her story serves as a broader metaphor for the struggles of the younger generation.
“I liked the attitude Gye-na has toward life. I thought such an attitude would offer us courage, encouragement and hope,” he said.
“Whenever she is faced with a decision, she has an option to take a shortcut by giving up or obtaining something. But she approaches the decisions in a way she can keep her self-esteem. And I thought this might be how the younger generation approaches life nowadays.”
Gye-na explores different nuances in the new country, feeling liberated to escape Korean society yet frustrated with the obstacles she faces as a foreigner. Despite the hurdles, she keeps striving to find her footing in the country, as if returning to her homeland is simply not an option.
The film "Because I Hate Korea" follows a woman in her 20s exploring her happiness in New Zealand. Courtesy of BIFF
The director said the focus of this film is on Gye-na’s desperation to run away from Korea and to take on challenges abroad.
“The movie’s title may seem like it carries a strong message. But the key is to empathize with why Gye-na makes such decisions. It’s essential to pay attention to what keeps driving her to flee Korean society, even though she has a job and a partner with whom she can communicate, although they may have different social classes,” he said.
“Rather than trying to throw a message, I just hope people can look deeper into the characters. There are different people facing various situations. And I made the film contemplating why they make such choices and threw themselves at challenges.”
Elaborating further, the director expressed his hopes to throw in an important question about societal pressures in Korea, especially for the younger generation.
“It’s important to look into why so many people find Korean society challenging. I came to wonder if we are truly facing these issues properly,” he said. “I wanted to raise questions about whether Korean society really offers a foundation for younger people to pursue their dreams and whether they are given fair opportunities.”