Movie Digest
The Season of the Next Step is a Korean short film directed by Heo Jun Seok. It follows the journey of self-discovery of Kook Hee. She is just a normal woman working in the corporate world but is not happy with her job and thinking about quitting it.
One day she discovers that one of her high school friends has passed away and she goes to her funeral, where she meets many of her high school friends and finds what she was looking for in her life.
The Feel-Good Part
The whole movie feels good. Many directors couldn’t give a strong message in a full-length film, but director Heo Jun Seok was able to do it in just a 33 min. short film.
There are a few scenes that just touch your heart, like the one when Je Yoon tells Kook-Hee about the aurora, that he couldn’t watch it because of the clouds, and almost after two weeks when the clouds parted, it was so beautiful that he didn’t even take a picture of it and got lost in the view that he couldn’t think of anything else. Or the scene when they start dancing. It just brings a smile to your face.
The Disappointing Factor
There is no disappointing factor in the movie. It is a sweet, simple, and to-the-point story without any unnecessary drama.
In-Depth Analysis
Kook Hee is a diligent and sedulous woman, working in the corporate world. She is unhappy with her life and wants to quit her job. But when she talks bout this with her family, she gets ignored and no one takes her seriously.
One day, one of her high school friends calls her and tells her about the sudden death of their friend. She goes to her funeral and meets Sa Bong, Je Yoon, and many of her high school friends. Sa Bong is angry with Kook Hee because she left their band and went off to work in the corporate world, which she doesn’t even like. Slowly she comes to terms with her life and discovers that the life she is living right now is not what she wants. She listens to Je Yoon and takes a step toward a different future.
Star Power
The actors are excellent for their roles. The supporting roles are performed perfectly. Just what the short film needed.
Overall Opinion
It is a perfect movie that hits right where it should. A movie about self-discovery and how it is never too late to take a step toward yourself.
