Watch After My Death

After My Death is a South Korean drama film directed by Kim Ui-seok, which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2017. The movie tells the story of Kyung-mi (Jeon Yeo-bin), a high school student who is struggling to cope with the sudden disappearance and possible suicide of her best friend, Young-ji. The opening sequence of the movie shows Kyung-mi walking through a forest, presumably in search of her missing friend. The camera work throughout the film is exceptional, with long, uninterrupted takes that heighten the tension and convey the characters' emotions.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Kyung-mi and Young-ji were both members of a school club devoted to protecting the environment. Despite the club's noble aspirations, the girls face a constant barrage of harassment and bullying from their classmates, who view their activities as strange and pointless.

Kyung-mi is an introspective and somewhat introverted character, which makes it difficult for her to connect with others. She spends a lot of time wandering around the school and the surrounding countryside, lost in thought. Her father (Won-Hee Go) is a police officer who is investigating Young-ji's disappearance, but Kyung-mi feels distant from him and the rest of her family.

One of the most impressive aspects of After My Death is the way it portrays the complexities of adolescence. Kyung-mi's relationships with her peers are fraught with tension and insecurity, as she tries to navigate the treacherous waters of high school social dynamics. At the same time, she is wrestling with deeper existential questions about the nature of life and death.

As Kyung-mi becomes more obsessed with finding out what happened to Young-ji, she begins to explore some of her friend's secrets. She discovers that Young-ji had a complicated relationship with her mother, who is an evangelical Christian. This leads Kyung-mi to seek out a Christian pastor and attend a church service, hoping to learn more about Young-ji's beliefs.

The film is notable for its avoidance of melodrama or easy answers. The characters' emotions are raw and intense, but they are never overplayed or exaggerated. The movie's slow pace and understated dialogue can be challenging at times, but it rewards those who are patient with a rich and nuanced portrait of adolescent life.

The performances in After My Death are all excellent. Jeon Yeo-bin, in particular, is remarkable as Kyung-mi. She conveys a powerful sense of inner turmoil and despair without ever resorting to histrionics or overacting. Young-hwa Seo is also effective as Young-ji, who we only see in flashbacks and dream sequences.

The film's ending is open to interpretation, and different viewers may come away with different conclusions about what actually happened to Young-ji. This ambiguity may be frustrating for some, but it is also fitting given the movie's themes of uncertainty and impermanence.

Overall, After My Death is a thoughtful and thought-provoking film that tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and intelligence. Its focus on the interior lives of its characters, rather than on external action, may not be to everyone's taste, but it is a powerful reminder of the emotional complexity of adolescence.