By Shim Sun-ah
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) — In Korean society, owning a decent house holds special meaning, with many people viewing it as a major life goal.
Securing a new apartment unit in a desirable neighborhood through competitive bidding, in particular, is seen as a pathway to building wealth, as high demand drives up property values and premiums.
However, for Do-kyung (played by Lee Do-jin), who lives hand-to-mouth in a semi-basement room in Seoul’s southern suburbs, working as a delivery driver and designated driver, the dream of homeownership is a distant dream.
Driven by desperation, he resorts to illegal means to secure an apartment: a fake marriage, aiming to qualify for the special housing allocation for newlyweds.
This image provided by Cinesopa shows a scene from “The Berefts.” (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
A broker introduces him to Mun-ho (Im Hu-seong), a man without a stable home who frequently stays in abandoned motels with his daughter, Go-eun (Lee Soo-jeong), who has an intellectual disability. The broker warns them that the authorities might conduct surprise inspections to verify their marital status, so Do-kyung and Go-eun must look the part.
Despite their awkwardness, they take family photos to create a semblance of a bond. As they await the housing lottery results, the three of them live, work, eat and sleep together under the same roof, gradually forming a close-knit family. Go-eun spends time with Do-kyung’s daughter and niece, and Do-kyung steps into the role of a family head.
This image provided by Cinesopa shows a scene from “The Berefts.” (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Despite its painfully realistic portrayal of life for the less privileged and its somber ending, the relationships and environment created for Go-eun offer a glimmer of hope.
But the film, whether by design or by editing choices to fit a two-hour runtime, leaves unanswered questions about whether Do-kyung and Go-eun ultimately form a new family. There are many gaps throughout the film. For example, it takes a while for the audience to understand the two characters who drag their suitcases into a motel in the opening scene are father and daughter. It also isn’t immediately clear what kind of place the office Mun-ho and Go-eun visit is, why Do-kyung is raising his daughter alone after separating from his wife, or why Mun-ho gets into a fight with a client while filling in for Do-kyung as a designated driver. (Spoiler alert) It never fully explains why Munho ends up in prison, leaving much open to interpretation.
This image provided by Cinesopa shows a scene from “The Berefts.” (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Lee Do-jin delivers a compelling performance as Do-kyung, portraying an ordinary man viewers may recognize from their own lives — not especially kind or gentle but earnest and hard-working, with just a small sense of pity for his neighbors.
Directed by Chung Beom and Huh Jang, “The Berefts” premiered at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival, winning two awards. The movie is set for domestic release on Nov. 20.
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