The Day He Arrives 2012

Seong-jun arrives in Seoul with the intention of reconnecting with a dear friend residing in Bukchon, nestled in the heart of the Jongno District. When his calls go unanswered, he finds himself wandering the picturesque streets of Bukchon, where he unexpectedly encounters an old acquaintance, an actress he once knew. Their brief conversation is filled with nostalgia, but their paths diverge once more. Alone, Seong-jun makes his way to Insa-dong, savoring a glass of makgeolli (a traditional rice wine) as he reflects on his past.

At a nearby table, a group of eager film students recognizes him and invites him to join them, aware of his previous life as a film director. As the makgeolli flows, Seong-jun finds himself inebriated, eventually setting his sights on the home of his ex-girlfriend.

The narrative shifts, and we find Seong-jun still meandering through Bukchon, the timeline ambiguous. He crosses paths with the actress again, leading to another fleeting yet meaningful exchange. Later, he reconnects with his friend at a bar aptly named Novel, accompanied by a female professor known to his friend. The bar owner bears an uncanny resemblance to Seong-jun’s ex-girlfriend, prompting him to entertain the crowd by playing the piano for her.

In yet another twist, the story unfolds with Seong-jun and his friend visiting the Jeongdok Public Library, where he reflects on his youthful pursuits of love. Their drinking continues as they reunite with a former actor who had ventured into business in Vietnam. The professor reappears, and the four of them find themselves at the bar named Soseol (which translates to “Novel”). As the night deepens, Seong-jun succumbs to the allure of alcohol and passionately kisses the pub owner.

As days blend into each other, it remains uncertain whether Seong-jun has spent merely a day or several days in Seoul. He ponders the lessons learned from his encounters with his ex-girlfriend and the striking familiarity of her doppelgänger. In a city that feels richly layered yet fleeting, Seong-jun must confront the essence of his “today,” facing the inevitable truths of his life head-on.