SYNOPSIS

Yoon-ju is a graduate student of fine arts and is working on her graduation exhibition. One day, while she is searching materials for her project, she runs into Ji-soo at a junk shop. Watching Ji-soo in an odd place, Yoon-ju finds herself drawn to her. After their initial encounter, Yoon-ju once again runs into Ji-soo at a convenience store, and the two eventually start dating. Never having enjoyed dating men, Yoon-ju finds Ji-soo fascinating and becomes completely infatuated with her.

Program Note

Yoon-joo is a graduate student studying art and is currently preparing for her graduation exhibition. While looking for materials for her artwork at a junk shop, she encounters Ji-soo and becomes infatuated by the girl who is in a place where she doesn’t seem to quite belong. As in the title, this film captures a love story that everyone has experienced, from the heart-fluttering first encounter, the love and passion, and the pain of a broken heart. Within that love story lies naiveté and experience, restless desire and unprecedented behaviors, the wounds of rejection, bad timing, and personal growth through the experience of love. Both Yoon-joo and Ji-soo feel neither confusion nor repulsion towards the idea of being in a relationship with a woman. Having already been aware that she is not sexually attracted to or interested in men, Yoon-joo sees her encounter with Ji-soo, whom she finds very charming, as a turning point for her to clearly understand and validate her own identity. The only problem in this relationship is that Ji-soo has had previous relationship experiences with women, whereas Yoon-joo has not. Initially, it is Ji-soo who actively leads the relationship while Yoon-joo timidly follows her lead, but as the relationship becomes serious, it is Yoon-joo who neglects her graduation exhibition and school life, completely immersed in the relationship. Yoon-joo goes as far as to become so consumed and excited by this new feeling of love that she confesses to her friend about her newly formed relationship without putting much thought into the consequences of her actions. Perhaps Ji-soo had acted the same way in her previous, first relationships. But the same Ji-soo would also have experienced firsthand the very consequences of such behaviors. ///Our Love Story// embraces all of the dynamics and spectrum of emotions that come with a romantic relationship, and delicately captures the social atmosphere that pervades the two individuals’ daily life and jeopardize their relationship. This is probably the first feature-length dramatic film in Korea to ever so vividly and realistically portray the romantic relationship between young women who are living in present day Korea. And for that, we must thank and appreciate the director who created this film, and also cherish the film itself. [CHO HyeYoung]