Burning

Lee Jong-su, an aspiring writer, unexpectedly meets Shin Hae-mi, a former classmate, while making a delivery in Seoul. Despite initially struggling to remember her, Hae-mi reveals her newly altered appearance due to plastic surgery, creating a moment of rekindled connection.

To commemorate their reconnection, Jong-su gifts Hae-mi a pink watch he won at the event. This gesture signifies the budding affection and interest he has for her, establishing a connection that is both sentimental and meaningful.

Hae-mi shares her plans to travel to Africa, requesting Jong-su to look after her cat, Boil, during her absence. This request indicates her trust in Jong-su and also hints at his deepening emotional involvement in her life.

Jong-su's life takes a challenging turn when he learns that his father, a cattle farmer in Paju, has encountered legal troubles. He decides to return to the farm to assist his family, diverting his attention away from Hae-mi.

While Hae-mi is away, Jong-su tends to her apartment under the pretense of looking after Boil. As he spends time alone in her space, he becomes increasingly consumed by his memories of her, reflecting on their fleeting moments together.

Hae-mi calls Jong-su with alarming news about her trip to Africa. She reveals that she is stranded at Nairobi Airport following a nearby bombing, showcasing the dangers she faces and heightening Jong-su's concern for her safety.

Upon Hae-mi's return, she introduces Jong-su to Ben, the charismatic man she met during her ordeal in Africa. Their dinner becomes a critical moment where Hae-mi expresses her desire to escape her current life, leaving both Jong-su and Ben unsettled.

During a bonding moment at Jong-su's farm, Ben reveals his hobby of burning abandoned greenhouses. This disconcerting admission unsettles Jong-su, planting seeds of doubt about Ben's character and intentions towards Hae-mi.

Concerned for Hae-mi's well-being after hearing her distressed voice, Jong-su begins to investigate Ben's background. His growing suspicion leads him to question the bond between Ben and Hae-mi, igniting a sense of jealousy and paranoia.

Jong-su heads to Hae-mi's apartment, where he finds disturbing evidence indicating her absence. He realizes that Boil is nowhere to be found, and the sterile condition of the apartment leads him to fear for her safety.

Jong-su confronts Ben at a restaurant, demanding to know Hae-mi's whereabouts. Ben's cold dismissal and cryptic comments deepen Jong-su's sense of betrayal and spiraling emotions, pushing him further into despair.

When Jong-su visits Ben's apartment, he finds a cat that closely resembles Boil. This shocking discovery, coupled with the sight of the pink watch Jong-su gave Hae-mi among Ben's belongings, sends him into a rage-filled panic.

The tension culminates in a tragic confrontation in the countryside, where Jong-su, overwhelmed with emotion, stabs Ben. This act of violence marks a harrowing turning point in Jong-su's character, leading him down a dark path of remorse and desperation.

After the stabbing, Jong-su sets Ben's body and the car ablaze, attempting to erase every trace of the confrontation and their intertwined lives. This drastic action symbolizes his internal struggle and the lengths he will go to escape his reality.

In the haunting final moments, Jong-su drives off into the night, forever altered by the events that have transpired. This act signifies his retreat from the life he once knew, burdened by guilt and loss.