Ardor

Mi-heun and her family relocate to the countryside after the incident to start anew. The setting centers on a rural, small-town area with a bookstore run by her husband, a rest stop by a lake, and surrounding woods. The quiet landscape and isolation amplify the emotional fallout of betrayal, longing, and guilt.

💔 Infidelity

Infidelity becomes the catalyst that fractures Mi-heun's sense of security and reshapes family dynamics. The narrative follows how betrayal reverberates through trust, affection, and daily routines, forcing a painful reevaluation of love and loyalty. The film explores emotional fallout rather than sensationalism, portraying the quiet, persistent ache of a life upended.

💊 Trauma & Healing

Mi-heun's trauma manifests as headaches and a dependence on painkillers, signaling how psychological wounds can express themselves physically. She searches for relief and escape, yet the pain remains tethered to memories of the night of betrayal. The story tracks her attempts to vent her heartache, finding solace perhaps in motherhood and small moments.

🌾 Rural Isolation

The move to the countryside places Mi-heun in a small-town world where privacy is scarce and social norms are strict. The quiet landscape—a lake, woods, and a single bookstore—frames the fraught relationship with the doctor she meets. Isolation intensifies longing and temptation, creating a tension between desire and the consequences of pursuing it.