Introduction
In the colorful realm of South Korean films, there’s a special gem called ‘Makgeolli Will Tell You’ that stands out. It’s not just a movie; it’s a captivating tale that mixes the traditional charm of Korean rice wine with the struggles and adventures of growing up. Get ready to join us on this cinematic adventure as we unravel the mysteries hidden within the bubbling brew of makgeolli.
Background
Many Koreans aged 50 and above are unfamiliar with the academic culture prevalent among their elementary school students today. Back then, academies mainly consisted of piano lessons or Taekwondo training centers. However, the 1980s witnessed a surge in private tutoring and academies, marking a significant shift.
Since then, Korean children have grappled with the overwhelming tide of private education daily. This film sheds light on Korea’s educational landscape, offering a glimpse into the world of childhood through the lens of makgeolli, a fresh and unique perspective.
This film was submitted to the 49th Seoul Independent Film Festival in 2023 and won the Aurora Media Award at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 2023, and is receiving a positive response from many film enthusiasts. The response is that it is very refreshing in a movie theater overflowing with commercial movies and that the story of the world seen through a child’s novel imagination and perspective is somewhat refreshing. I hope that these films will receive more investment and support in the future. The topic of makgeolli, Korea’s representative alcohol, is truly refreshing, like the tangy taste of makgeolli.
Synopsis of ‘Makgeolli Will Tell You’
“Why do I have to live like this?” 11-year-old Dong-chun asks. But the answer lies in the makgeolli in front of her. As she listens to the tapping sound of makgeolli fermentation, Dong-chun realizes it’s Morse code, a language she learned at the academy. Using this code, she wins the fourth prize in the lottery. Through this experience, Dong-chun resolves her curiosity about her life. But what message did her makgeolli want to convey?
Director & Cast of ‘Makgeolli Will Tell You’
Da-min Kim (Director)
The director’s intention for creating this film was to address the issue of private education experienced by elementary school children in Korea. The director questions whether the students’ motivation for attending multiple academies each day, covering subjects such as English, advanced math, Korean history, Chinese, Taekwondo, art, essay writing, and computer coding, solely revolves around securing admission into a prestigious university and securing a well-paying job.
Dong-chun (the main character), played by Na-eun Park
Being an utterly typical elementary school student in Korea, she endures the torment of rigorous private education without understanding why the workload is so demanding. Despite her confusion, the adults around her fail to provide clear explanations. She resigns herself to the situation, accepting it as the norm. However, her perspective undergoes a profound transformation when she stumbles upon a water bottle containing fermenting makgeolli during a school trip, altering the way she perceives the world.
Hae-jin (Dong-chun’s mom), played by Hyo-joo Park
She is the mother of the main character, Dong-chun. She is a typical strong Korean mother who is often seen pouring all her energy into her children’s studies for their future. She grits her teeth and works together with her husband to pay for Dong-chun’s private education. She’s lived a hard life since childhood and suffered from postpartum depression after Dong-chun was born, but she hid the fact from her entire family. However, her consideration is causing her daughter to distance herself from her.
Young-jin (Dong-chun’s uncle)
Despite his exceptional talent and graduation from a top Korean university, he has isolated himself from society. Nonetheless, upon finding out about his mother’s dementia, he comes back as Hye-jin’s brother. But he struggles because he doesn’t have an ID card. Being unaware of the visiting hours at the nursing home, he seeks assistance at a nearby convenience store. This is where he encounters Dong-chun, who not only provides him with visiting hours but also forms a deeper connection with him.
Gu-po (Dong-chun’s dad)
He is a typical Korean father who works hard to pay for Dong-chun’s education. He has a soft spot for his daughter, cheering her on when she is nervous during her speaking contest and driving Dong-chun to the next academy in his car, but he does not communicate much with his wife, Hye-jin.
Yeon-boon Kang (Dong-chun’s grandmother)
She is hospitalized in a nursing home with symptoms of dementia.
Na-young Lee (Dong-chun’s friend)
She’s a childhood friend of Dong-chun, also the daughter of Dong-chun’s mother’s friend. Excelling in nearly all subjects, she consistently achieves top scores. Yet, despite her academic prowess, she may lack in character education.
Persian Instructor
Dong-chun and Nayoung’s Persian language instructor
Tul-book & Seung-yi (Mascots of the movie, voice dubbed by narrators)
Ending
Warning: Spoiler included
When Dong-chun gets back from school, Hae-jin finds her “water bottle containing makgeolli” and approaches her, asking what she is doing. Dong-chun makes an unsuccessful attempt to explain that it’s her school project. To exacerbate the situation, she searches for Tul-book & Seung-yi but is unable to locate them. Unable to accept her justification, Hye-jin eventually pours the contents of the makgeolli bottle into the sink. That night, Dong-chun decides to run away but is unable to do so. Later, Dong-chun was brought to a psychiatrist by Hae-jin and Gu-po, who believed that her condition was serious. She brought a bottle of water back to her home while her parents were undergoing counseling. She proceeded to the designated “appointment location.” In that circumstance, Dong-chun reconnects with Young-jin, whom he first met through the lottery. He outpaces Dong-chun and carries the cart up the hill with the water bottle when she tells him that the makgeolli he is holding gave her the winning number for the lottery fourth place. However, for some reason, he leaves the cart behind and descends silently.
Dong-chun, tired and tired, receives a signal from makgeolli in a water bottle to take a sip. She hears Yeong-jin’s voice speaking directly in her head, which she finds an adventure. She walks to a brewery and is sent to look into a large hole. She explains that she has existed since birth, but it’s up to her to judge the oppressive educational environment. She sees children lining up in a brightly lit brewery field, and she has an epiphany, stating that it’s unquestionably strange. The universe is visible inside the hole, and the movie ends with Dong-chun embracing infinite possibilities.
The story portrays the struggles of both children and adults, particularly focusing on the sacrifices made by ordinary parents like Hye-jin and Gu-po. Despite being portrayed as villains, they endure their hardships while trying to raise their children. Dong-chun’s odd behavior is dismissed by her parents, adding to her distress. Similarly, Young-jin finds himself powerless in the face of life’s challenges. Set against a bleak yet realistic backdrop, the relatable storyline offers a unique perspective on Dong-chun’s past and present. Makgeolli, known as the ‘adult’s drink,’ serves as a central element in the narrative, tying together the characters’ experiences and reflections.
Critics’ Review of the Movie
Chul-hong Kim: Director Da-min Kim’s Imagination Academy will save you (5 stars)
Pyeong-sik Park: 11-year-old agony is dreamy (3 stars)
Yong-chul Lee: This quiet darling doesn’t hesitate to say everything she has to say (3 stars)
Woo-bin Lee: Bold imagination that doesn’t shy away from being strange (4 stars)
Ja-yeon Lee: There is a Dong-chun in my heart who recognizes makgeolli (4 stars)
Jae-hyun Jeong: An Interesting and sweet approach to children’s independence (3 stars)
Dong-jin Lee: At this point, my imagination is almost at Sirius level (3.5 stars)
As the credits roll and the curtains draw to a close, “Makgeolli Will Tell You” leaves audiences with a sense of wonder and contemplation. Through Dong-chun’s journey, we are reminded of the power of resilience, the beauty of discovery, and the importance of forging our own paths in life. In a world filled with noise and chaos, sometimes all it takes is a sip of makgeolli to hear the whispers of our true selves echoing through the universe.
In the realm of Korean cinema, “Makgeolli Will Tell You” stands as a beacon of creativity, offering a glimpse into the human experience through a uniquely Korean lens. As audiences embark on this cinematic adventure, they are invited to savor the tangy taste of makgeolli and embrace the infinite possibilities that lie within.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting Authenticity
1. The makgeolli drunk in the movie is not real, but the drink ‘아침이슬’ mixed with water.
2. The director said that she learned how to make yeast and makgeolli for three months through a traditional liquor-making class in 2015. At that time, she said she felt truly alive as the sound and shape of makgeolli changed depending on each stage of fermentation. She mentioned that she immediately thought that the sound of the bubbles was similar to Morse code.
3. The name Dong-chun sounds too old for a child’s name in the 21st century. It is said that this name was taken from the name of the neighborhood where the director learned to make makgeolli.
4. It is said that the most difficult part of making this movie was determining the level of bubbles in makgeolli. The director said that small holes were drilled in a water container containing makgeolli, and the air was blown in through hoses to create bubbles.
5. Makgeolli breweries are famous for not permitting filming because they are sanitary facilities, but it is said that permission was obtained with difficulty due to the earnest request of the director and producer. The breweries accepted the request to promote makgeolli.
