[HanCinema's Film Review] "A Young Zelkova" + Full Movie

The concept of forbidden love has always been one that inspired filmmakers and captivated audiences throughout the world. It is thus rather interesting to see how it worked in 1969 Korea, and "A Young Zelkova", based on the homonymous novel by Kang Shin-jae, provides a perfect opportunity.

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Sook-hee's mother is remarried to a man who has a son a year older than her daughter, Hyeon-gyoo. Sook-hee eventually decides to join her new family after being cared for by her grandparents. The two newfound siblings hit it off from the beginning, and the whole family seems to be rather happy living in a villa in the suburbs. Furthermore, a neighbor, who happens to be Hyeon-gyoo's former classmate, seems rather interested in the beautiful newcomer. However, Sook-hee has feelings for the one man she shouldn't have.

Lee Seong-gu creates a movie that stays pretty close to the book, with the extensive sequences of narration from Sook-hee's side being the main medium of this approach. His focus lies almost exclusively on the girl, whose feelings about her brother creep on her the more they interact together, to the point that she starts acting as a jealous girlfriend after a point, even though he does not seem to have a clue. Her pain fills the screen, particularly after she admits her feelings to herself, inevitably leading to melodramatic paths, with the confrontation scene and the one by the zelkova tree cementing this aspect.

In order for this approach to work, the main actress had to deliver to the fullest, and that is exactly what Moon Hee does in the protagonist role, highlighting her country-bumpkin nature, her growing feelings and her inner struggle in the most eloquent fashion. The scenes that include narration also show how well she adjusted to the overall aesthetics of the movie, even in parts like these, which actually remind more of the silent movies of the past in terms of her acting. Kang-Shin Sung-il as Hyeon-goo is also quite convincing in the role of the alpha male, although his part is more complimentary than protagonistic.

Also of note is the whole trip to the ski center in the mountains, which functions as the catalyst to the way the story unfolds, while also providing the most captivating sequences in the movie, highlighting the overall quite good job of DP Jang Seok-jun. Furthermore, one of the main comments of the film, regarding the how much the youths at the urban center of the time have adopted US culture, is also highlighted the most here, as we watch them singing American songs, dancing to rock'n'roll and in general, having very little to do with any kind of Korean tradition in the way they conduct themselves.

Yu Jae-won's editing induced the movie with a very fitting, relatively fast pace, which slows down in the narration scenes, while, at 77 minutes, the movie does not overextend its welcome in any way.

"A Young Zelkova" does not escape the reef of forced sentimentalism, particularly towards the finale, but in the end, emerges as a rather entertaining film particularly due to the intriguing story and the performance of the protagonist.

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

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"A Young Zelkova" is directed by Lee Seong-gu, and features Kang-Shin Sung-il, Moon Hee, Park Am, Ju Jeung-ryu, Yoon Yang-ha, Ahn Sung-ki. Release date in Korea: 1968/03/29.