Program Note
“When Mirim turns twenty-six, she will go blind.” The prophecy of ‘Grandma Baek’ shakes Mirim’s family to its core. To escape this ominous fate, the family decides to take in a surrogate to bear the curse on their behalf. Thus, Jinkoo is brought into the household. At first, the ritual seems to succeed. Mirim’s eyesight remains intact, but Jinkoo pays a tragic price, losing his life in an accident. Years pass, and Mirim lives burdened by guilt and longing for Jinkoo. One day, a pilgrim arrives at their old family home, claiming to bridge the boundary between the living and the dead—through whom Mirim hopes to reunite with Jinkoo. Blending elements of Buddhism, shamanism, and occultism, the film navigates the boundary between life and death while raising profound questions about guilt, karma, and fate. The recurring unsettling imagery along with vivid shamanistic motifs, heightens the film’s occult atmosphere and leaves a lasting impression. Notably, the haunting soundtrack—where tradition and modernity intersect—complements the narrative perfectly, creating an eerie yet captivating mood that amplifies the film’s tension. Selected as a BIFAN 2024 Goedam Short Film Production Support project, this feature-length work is the vision of director DGGYANG, who also wrote the script and masterfully performs the role of Jinkoo, showcasing impressive triple duties. (Kani KIM)