The Journal of Musan (2010)
Directed by Park Jungbum
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Synopsis by Mark Deming
A man tries to build a new life in a land of freedom but finds it's not as easy as he hoped in this drama from South Korea. Jeon Seung-chul (Park Jung-bum) has fled North Korea to defect to the South and find new opportunities. At first, life under capitalism doesn't seem all that different from struggling under a Communist regime; Seung-chul spends eight months in a half-way program for new citizens and has a hard time finding work, finally landing a menial job pasting up posters in Seoul. While his roommate, fellow North Korean exile Kyung-chul (Jin Yong-uk) likes his new life, Seung-chul struggles to fit in and remain inconspicuous; Seung-chul longs for a greater sense of community, and he starts attending a local church. At services, he meets Sook-young (Kang Eun-jin), a lovely woman who sings in the choir, and discovers she works as a hostess at a karaoke club. They strike up a friendship and Seung-chul lands a job working at the club, but he finds his efforts to treat others fairly puts him at a disadvantage in Seoul, and Sook-young feels her job is forcing her to compromise herself morally. Musan Il-gy (aka The Journals of Musan) was the first feature film from writer and director Park Jung-bum, and received its North American premiere at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.