The Day He Arrives (2011 Film)

The Day He Arrives (Korean: 북촌방향; RR: Bukchon Banghyang) is a 2011 South Korean drama film written and directed by Hong Sang-soo. It serves as the director's 12th feature-length film. The movie premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section and was released theatrically in South Korea on September 8, 2011.

The Day He Arrives promotional poster — Promotional poster for The Day He Arrives.

Plot

The narrative follows Sung-joon (played by Yu Jun-sang), a former film professor who travels to Seoul to visit a senior acquaintance, a film critic named Young-ho (Kim Sang-joong). The film depicts Sung-joon's experiences over a three-day period in the Bukchon neighborhood of Seoul, characterized by recurring encounters, coincidences, and social interactions that blur the lines between reality and repetition.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast typical of Hong Sang-soo's collaborative style:

Yu Jun-sang as Sung-joon
Kim Sang-joong as Young-ho
Song Seon-mi as Bo-ram
Kim Bo-kyung as Kyoung-jin / Ye-jeon
Kim Eui-sung as Joong-won

Actor Yu Jun-sang — Yu Jun-sang, who portrays the protagonist Sung-joon.

Actor Kim Sang-joong — Kim Sang-joong, who portrays the film critic Young-ho.

Actress Song Seon-mi — Song Seon-mi, who plays the role of Bo-ram.

Actress Kim Bo-kyung — Kim Bo-kyung, who plays the dual roles of Kyoung-jin and Ye-jeon.

Production and Release

Produced by Jeonwonsa Film, the movie was shot in black and white, a stylistic choice that emphasizes the film's focus on atmosphere and character interaction. Following its world premiere at Cannes, the film was screened at numerous international festivals, including the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Busan International Film Festival.

Scene from The Day He Arrives — A scene from the film showcasing its black-and-white cinematography.