The Snob (2019 South Korean Film)

The Snob (Korean: 속물들; RR: Sokmuldeul) is a 2019 South Korean drama film directed by Shin A-Ga and Lee Sang-Cheol. The film examines the complexities of artistic ethics and the personal compromises made by individuals in the pursuit of success.

Promotional poster for the film The Snob.

Plot

The narrative centers on Sun Woo-Jung (Yoo Da-In), a painter who sustains her career by reproducing the works of other artists and selling them under her own name. While she characterizes her actions as a form of artistic borrowing, her practices lead to frequent legal challenges from the original creators. Her life becomes increasingly complicated when she is invited to participate in a special exhibition by a curator named Seo Jin-Ho (Song Jae-Rim), with whom she begins an affair. The situation escalates with the arrival of Tak So-Young (Ok Ja-Yeon), a former high school acquaintance who threatens to disrupt the fragile balance of Woo-Jung's life.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast portraying the various figures in Woo-Jung's life:

Yoo Da-In as Sun Woo-Jung
Sim Hee-Seop as Kim Hyung-Joong
Song Jae-Rim as Seo Jin-Ho
Ok Ja-Yeon as Tak So-Young
Yoo Jae-Myung as Yoo Ji-Hyun

Actress Yoo Da-In — Yoo Da-In portrays the protagonist, Sun Woo-Jung.

Actor Sim Hee-Seop — Sim Hee-Seop portrays Kim Hyung-Joong.

Actor Song Jae-Rim — Song Jae-Rim portrays the curator, Seo Jin-Ho.

Actress Ok Ja-Yeon — Ok Ja-Yeon portrays Tak So-Young.

Actor Yoo Jae-Myung — Yoo Jae-Myung portrays Yoo Ji-Hyun.

Production and Release

The Snob had its world premiere on October 5, 2018, at the Busan International Film Festival. The film was later released theatrically in South Korea on December 12, 2019. It has a runtime of 107 minutes.