Chul, Seop, and Deok-kyu are desperate for just one performance. They desire for a chance to play their songs, but being on the stage is even difficult. It is hard for Chul and Seop to meet Im-jae, the leader of the free-spirited band.

What would be the color of music? Live Hard exhibits music as if it wanted to show all the colors: hip hop, folk, rock ‘n’ roll, heavy metal, jazz, blues, funk and even gypsy guitar, as if they were not enough. And then it dares to show the images in black and white. But then again, a score is composed of black and white. Live Hard is a story of musicians auditioning at a live club. Not only do they have to show off what they got, but also they have to study how well others do. In that sense, the club is not so different from the scene of an old tavern where master of martial arts compete against one another. Also, this film seems to be the musical version of Waiting for Godot in that three friends are waiting for someone who is not coming. Music is dream and tragedy at the same time for poor, not talented musicians. In someone’s eyes, musicians performing music passionately (live hard) may look like they are living their life wasting what they have (live hard). In reality, they have to work part time when they cannot perform on the stage, and they have to sell their instruments that are everything to them when they are in urgent need of money. After a cold fall and winter, things are not any better for the musicians. Then comes the spring. The film offers a stage one last time. Would it be warm comfort or encouragement to have a new dream for those who will have to face more winters? I got very emotional looking at an underpass in the neighborhood where I spent tough days in my 20s. (LEE Yong-cheol)