Springtime (2004)

Quiet, adagietto, yet impactful. With plenty of heart hidden behind an apparently repellent shell.

Unsentimentally but lovingly, "Springtime" tells about people at the lower end of the social pyramid. They live a simple life. They also have dreams, but not too much hope. Nevertheless, "Springtime" offers soothing, encouraging positive vibes. Soulfully beautiful.

Slowly and deliberately, we glide into the world of the protagonist. (Don't be put off by the pacing!) Once we arrive, a story full of heart takes its course unobtrusively, true-to-life and down-to-earth. Authentically idiosyncratic: Choi Min-sik, as a passionate musician and anti-hero with principles (as well as a warm heart).

However, these principles make the protagonist's life quite difficult. He feels he cannot afford his girlfriend, which is leading to their separation. His music is sacred to him, and he does not want to prostitute himself with his trumpet in any no-name establishments. But with his stubborn ego he also cannot get into any of the prestigious orchestras in Seoul. He is broke and in debt. Even though it is hard for him, he has to take a job – in this case, as a teacher for the school orchestra of a middle school in a mining town.

The protagonist's life changes when he has no choice but to let go of his concepts. In that mining town, he inevitably engages with what life has to offer: the people there. He steps out of his comfort zone and teaches the mediocre but committed boys. He opens their hearts to music... and in turn, his heart to them and their lives. They become more important to him than his principles and thus for him, ultimately, is opening a healing bridge to freedom.

One of those quiet, adagietto, yet impactful KMovies, with plenty of heart hidden behind an apparently repellent shell.

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