Paju (2009 Film)

Paju is a 2009 South Korean drama film written and directed by Park Chan-ok. The film centers on the complicated emotional entanglement between a young woman, Choi Eun-mo, and her brother-in-law, Kim Joong-shik, set against the backdrop of urban redevelopment in the city of Paju.

Plot

The story follows 15-year-old Choi Eun-mo (Seo Woo), who develops feelings for her teacher, Kim Joong-shik (Lee Sun-kyun). Her perspective shifts when she discovers that Joong-shik is involved with her older sister, Eun-soo (Shim Yi-young). Following the marriage of Joong-shik and Eun-soo, Eun-mo continues to live with them. A tragic gas explosion results in the death of Eun-soo. Joong-shik informs Eun-mo that her sister died in a hit-and-run accident, a deception that complicates their subsequent life together. Years later, after returning from India, Eun-mo finds her neighborhood facing demolition. She discovers that Joong-shik is leading the anti-demolition efforts, and she begins to investigate the true circumstances surrounding her sister's death.

Production and Release

The film was directed by Park Chan-ok, whose previous work, Jealousy Is My Middle Name, received the New Currents Award at the Pusan International Film Festival in 2002. Paju held its world premiere at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival in October 2009, where it competed in the New Currents section and received the NETPAC Award. The film was later selected as the opening film for the 39th International Film Festival Rotterdam, marking the first time a South Korean production held that honor.

Reception

Upon its theatrical release in South Korea on October 29, 2009, Paju opened at number six at the box office. During its opening weekend, the film was screened on 160 screens, selling 35,230 tickets and accounting for approximately 3% of total ticket sales for that period.