The Journals of Musan

A beautiful depiction of a refugee's loneliness. Jung-bum Park’s praised directorial debut follows a poor North Korean refugee trying to adapt to the capitalist South Korea. Despite his newfound freedom, the unwanted refugee Jeon – played by the director himself – struggles to make a living. He starts papering the city with advertisement posters for a modest salary and works night shifts in a seedy karaoke bar. Just like the little stray dog he takes in his custody, Jeon is also an outcast in society. Discrimination and baseless prejudices become everyday life, but Jeon nonetheless manages to preserve his self-respect and an unwavering moral compass. red