Right Now, Wrong Then

In a serendipitous encounter, the arthouse film director Ham Cheon-soo finds himself captivated by a young woman named Yoon Heejung during his visit to Suwon. Their paths cross yet again at a temple, where an innocent conversation grows into an impromptu coffee date. As they enjoy their time, Heejung opens up about her past as a model, expressing the emptiness and superficiality that accompanied her success despite its financial rewards. She has since rediscovered joy through painting, leading Cheon-soo to be intrigued by her passion for creativity.

With a rare moment of free time on his hands, Cheon-soo accompanies Heejung to her studio, where he is entranced by her artistic process. As they share sushi and indulge in some soju, their discussion takes on a flirtatious tone, with Cheon-soo praising Heejung not only as an artist but as a woman as well. However, when he drunkenly confesses his feelings, the mood shifts; Heejung solemnly reveals her loneliness, lamenting the fact that she lacks friends with whom to share her experiences.

The next night, Heejung extends an invitation for Cheon-soo to join her at a friend’s birthday party. Unfortunately, the evening takes a bleak turn when her friends confront Cheon-soo, revealing that his compliments about her art are not unique to her, accompanied by unsettling whispers about his reputation as a womanizer and his marriage. Retreating to recover from the chaos of the evening, Heejung faces a disappointed mother who chastises her for overindulgence.

As the sun rises, Cheon-soo awakens with a throbbing hangover while attending a post-film discussion after screening one of his films. A friend of Heejung arrives with a book of her writing, intensifying Cheon-soo’s emotional turmoil. His departure marks the end of his stay in Suwon as he heads back to Seoul.

Miraculously, the day appears to repeat itself—a surreal twist of fate allows Cheon-soo to once again encounter Heejung at the temple. This time, their conversation probes deeper into her life, unveiling the truth that she resides with her mother and has been estranged from her father since the divorce. As Cheon-soo steps into her atelier, he offers a candid critique of her artwork, acknowledging its technical prowess while urging her to embrace bolder creative risks. However, this honesty comes with unintended consequences, causing Heejung to bristle and prompting Cheon-soo to seek air outside.

Undeterred, he circles back to the atelier and launches into a heartfelt confession, expressing his admiration for her beauty. Heejung, curious, presses him on his motivations, to which he candidly reveals his own marital status, confessing his deep infatuation with her. This revelation stirs a whirlpool of emotions for Heejung, challenging her previously stable emotional state. As the night deepens, she invites him to a gathering of her friends, allowing Cheon-soo’s rough edges to soften and unveil a like-minded spirit beneath.

However, the flowing drinks lead Cheon-soo to abandon his inhibitions altogether, culminating in an unexpected and embarrassing incident when he strips off his clothes before Heejung’s shocked friends, trying to play it off as a joke. This escapade leads to a swift exit on his part, leaving Heejung alone to process her feelings.

Walking home under the shimmering stars, Heejung gets a call from her mother, who humorously recounts Cheon-soo’s antics, causing her to burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Cheon-soo stands outside her home, waiting for her return, yearning to continue their heartfelt exploration. Ultimately, Heejung decides against rejoining him, leaving him in solitude, with only the thoughts of connection lingering in the cool night air.

In the wake of a successful screening, Cheon-soo basks in the satisfaction that comes with achievement, taking a moment to engage in light-hearted conversation with fellow film cohort members. Just when everything seems bright, Heejung unexpectedly appears, her eyes radiating warmth. They share a poignant goodbye, filled with words of encouragement, before she retreats back into the festival’s vibrant allure.

Yet, Cheon-soo is reluctant to part ways just yet. He seeks out the theatre once more, spurred by a desire to bid Heejung farewell properly. In those quiet moments, just before their paths diverge, she unveils her promise: from this moment onward, every film featuring his name will be under her attentive watch, signifying the profound connection between storytelling and the artists who craft it.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 19:02