Clever Turtles

I recently discovered that the independent film "후회하지 않아" ("No Regret") was available through a US distributor. It is purportedly the first feature film to be produced in Korea by a gay director, and is one of the few Korean films to focus on queer relationships in Korea. Furthermore, one of the leads is played by the popular actor Kim Nam-gil, albeit under a pseudonym.

The film centers on the character of Su-min, an orphan struggling to make ends meet while he takes night classes. While working as 대리 운전 (substitute driver) he is hit on by a wealthy young man. Later, after losing a factory job, Su-min ends up working as a male escort, where he is again found by the wealthy Jae-min (played by the aforementioned Kim Nam-gil). Su-min finds himself caught between the high pay he is earning as an escort, his role and self-image as he caters to the sexual whims of wealthy homosexuals, the desperate pleas for affection from Jae-min, and his own nascent sexual attraction to other men.

The film is shot with the spare, indy sensibilities that are heavily influenced by other independent Korean directors like Bong Joon-ho, although with it has obviously been shot on a small budget. Little soundtrack and heavy atmospherics, the director hangs sensually on Su-min's troubled face; I would expect straight women as well as gay men to enjoy the well-groomed and often shirtless model-like men. It is much more frank about male-male affection than I expected, and while it is rarely explicit it doesn't shy from showing homosexual kisses and caresses.

[I've discussed the topic with Koreans before, and while young Koreans are often tolerant of homosexuality, very few are prepared to actually watch homosexual activity, male or female. I expected these displays to remain mostly off-screen, and while it is not in-your-face, neither actors nor director shied from showing the male-male relationship.]

The storyline is, however, pretty typically Korean, propelled by melodramatics, ultimata, and tragic coincidence. It will appeal to fans of K film and drama more than those who prefer the veritas of Western indy films. Nonetheless, it is very watchable and doesn't fall into the absurd hysteria of -- well, you know what I mean.

It is most interesting, however, as a window into gay life in Korea. I am not sure how representative or contemporary it is, but the film takes viewer into the underground world of gay prostitution, cruising, and sham marriage. The escort service Su-min works for is based in a 노래방 (karaoke parlour) where the escorts work pretty much like their ubiquitous female counterparts, entertaining their clients and, if they choose and are well compensated, leaving with them for nearby motels. Many scenes of close affection in the streets are, among straight men, perfectly normal, but dates occur in abandoned parks or trips to the countryside. The prosperous homosexual Jae-min is deeply in the closet and guided into an engagement with a young woman by his parents. In one particularly significant scene, he is confronted with by his mother. "I know sexuality," she says, and tells him that while he may continue having affairs, with women or men, he will uphold his responsibilities in his engagement. The implications for the connection between sexuality and conjugal relations are fascinating: is sex a part of marriage? is marriage beyond sexuality?

Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone with any interest in Korea or Korean film.

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No Regret