Traces of Love (2006) (Korean)

“Traces of Love” is the latest work from Kim Dae Seung, arguably one of the more interesting directors working in modern Korean cinema, who was previously responsible for the unconventional “Bungee Jumping of Their Own” and the gritty thriller “Blood Rain”. With this, his third film, Kim again takes a rather generic form, that of the chronologically shifting love story, recently popularised in the likes of “Ditto” and “Il Mare”, and transforms it into something far more rewarding, exploring loss and the hope of rebirth in a poetic and engrossing fashion which eschews the obvious tugs at viewers’ heart strings upon which similar efforts have been so reliant.

The film begins in 1995 with newly qualified attorney Hyun Woo (popular actor Yoo Ji Tae, best known for his role in Park Chan-wook’s classic “Oldboy”) and his fiancée Min Joo (Kim Ji Soo, also in “Romance and This Charming Girl”) happily in love and about to move into their first apartment together. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes as Min Joo is caught up in the horrific collapse of a shopping mall (a real life incident which claimed the lives of over five hundred people and injured more than a thousand), leaving Hyun Woo alone and lost in the world.

Arguably the film’s greatest strength is Kim’s direction, which is excellent throughout, whether during the spectacular chaos of the accident and the sadness of its aftermath or the beautiful scenery of the characters’ later journey. The influence of Korean master Im Kwon Taek (with whom Kim previously worked as an assistant director on the likes of “Sopyonje” and “The Taebaek Mountains”) is certainly apparent, and he shows the same kind of open, unhurried approach and similar use of symbolism, here involving the changing seasons in all their glory as a reflection of the never-ending cycle of life. This is nicely underscored by the way in which the film moves around chronologically, with Min Joo and Hyun Woo’s past and present journeys unfolding in parallel.

“Traces of Love’s” approach works far better than the awkward time travel gimmicks employed in the likes of “Il Mare”, and allows the film to move towards a kind of spiritual convergence which is both satisfying and believable. Certainly, “Traces of Love” is a far more mature, thoughtful and indeed heartfelt effort than others in the genre, and one which should appeal to viewers who would normally steer clear of such overtly emotional dramas, being both a technically accomplished and truly engaging film.

Year:2006
Director:Kim Dae-seung
Genre: Drama / Romance
Cast:Yu Ji-tae, Uhm Ji-won, Kim Ji-su
Country:South Korea
Runtime:108 min
Language:Korean
Subtitles:English
IMDB link:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0880575/

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