Past Lives 2023

In the opening moments of this deeply moving film, we find ourselves in a dimly lit bar, captivated by an unseen couple (Chase Sui Wonders and Isaac Powell) who are intrigued by three strangers: Nora (Greta Lee), Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), and Arthur (John Magaro). The trio is engaged in a silent yet intense conversation, leaving the onlookers to speculate about the depth of their connection. While Nora and Hae Sung share a seamless interaction, Arthur appears contemplative, his gaze fixed on Nora with a sense of unspoken desire.

Jumping back twenty-four years earlier to the vibrant streets of Seoul, we meet Na Young (Moon Seung-ah) and her friend Hae Sung (Seung Min Yim), who stroll home under the night sky. This scene is layered with emotion as Na Young wrestles with her disappointment over a second-place finish at school, while Hae Sung provides encouragement, admitting she often excels beyond him in studies. This moment foreshadows a profound journey that spans decades.

As the narrative unfolds, we step into Na Young’s family home, where her parents (Ji Hye Yoon and Won Young Choi) and her little sister Si Young (Seo Yeon-Woo) prepare for a significant move to Canada. Embracing this change, Na Young adopts the name “Nora,” a title that will soon embody her creative ambitions.

Fast forward twelve years; Hae Sung has finished his military service and returned to Seoul, where he shares cheerful moments with friends. Meanwhile, Nora is pursuing her dreams of writing in New York City, often reminiscing about her first love, Hae Sung.

An unexpected twist occurs when Nora’s mother mentions Hae Sung’s comment on her father’s restaurant page, igniting a longing within Nora. Eager to reconnect, she reaches out through social media, and the two begin to rekindle their bond, exchanging heartfelt messages and reigniting nostalgic memories.

Their digital conversations transition to video calls on Skype, filled with reflections of their shared history. Nora, driven by her desire to become a writer, contrasts with Hae Sung, who is preparing for a language exchange opportunity in China. Their discussions flow like a tranquil river, but the reality of their circumstances looms large, making face-to-face meetings impossible. In a moment of clarity, Nora resolves to pause their online interaction to focus on her writing, leaving us pondering the uncertain future of their connection.

As Nora’s creative path unfolds, she attends a writers’ retreat, leading her to Arthur. Under the serene night sky, they delve into the concept of “In-Yun,” a belief steeped in Korean philosophy suggesting that some individuals are destined to meet again, their lives intertwined like delicate threads in a grand tapestry. This notion creates a burgeoning familiarity between Nora and Arthur, allowing their love to flourish.

Meanwhile, Hae Sung, navigating a new phase after a breakup, finds himself drawn to New York City, where fate brings him and Nora together once more. Their reunion reveals how the years have transformed them into unique individuals, each carrying the weight of their experiences.

As their lives converge once again, Nora confides in Arthur about her encounter with Hae Sung, prompting Arthur to sense an unbreakable link that seemingly ties them. Despite his worries, Nora reassures him of her unwavering love. In a reflective gesture, she invites Hae Sung to dinner, an evening that ultimately circles back to the bar where their story first ignited.

In this intimate environment, as laughter and soft conversations float through the air, the atmosphere teems with the essence of “In-Yun.” Hae Sung’s curiosity about their shared past heightens, but Nora’s reticence leaves him pondering the deeper implications of their intertwined destinies. Arthur, with his gentle disposition, reassures them both, navigating the complexities of their relationships that now bridge their previous selves.

When the evening comes to a close, Nora and Hae Sung step outside, waiting for his Uber. In a moment heavy with anticipation, they remain locked in a powerful gaze, the silence stretching across an entire minute. Time bends and warps as they contemplate the haunting possibility of revisiting a moment from a past life, brimming with unanswered questions.

Just as Hae Sung is about to depart, he turns back to Nora with a wistful look, pondering where their paths might cross again. Their parting is tinged with bittersweet emotion, as a fleeting embrace underscores the depth of their connection. After Hae Sung vanishes into the night, Nora finds herself overwhelmed by her emotions, collapsing into Arthur’s embrace with tears streaming down her face.

The film closes with Hae Sung speeding through the city streets in his Uber, headed toward the airport and an uncertain future. As New York City fades in the distance, it becomes a mere echo in his memory, while the plane ascends, carrying him away from the life he once knew.