Woman Is the Future of Man (2004 Film)

Woman Is the Future of Man (Korean: 여자는 남자의 미래다; RR: Yeojaneun Namjaui Miraeda) is a 2004 South Korean drama film written and directed by Hong Sang-soo. The film is noted for its exploration of interpersonal relationships and the psychological dynamics between its central characters.

Poster for the film Woman Is the Future of Man — Promotional poster for the 2004 film.

Plot

The narrative centers on two long-time friends: Lee Moon-ho, an art college lecturer, and Kim Hyun-joon, a struggling filmmaker. Both men share a history with a woman named Park Sun-hwa. Their past connections are complicated by the fact that Hyun-joon previously dated Sun-hwa before leaving for a trip to the United States, during which time Moon-ho began a relationship with her. Years later, with Hyun-joon having returned to South Korea and Moon-ho married, the two men seek out Sun-hwa, leading to a series of encounters that revisit their shared history.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast portraying the central figures and various individuals they encounter:

Yoo Ji-tae as Lee Moon-ho
Sung Hyun-ah as Park Sun-hwa
Kim Tae-woo as Kim Hyun-joon
Uhm Soo-jung as the yoga woman

Actor Yoo Ji-tae — Yoo Ji-tae, who portrays Lee Moon-ho.

Actress Sung Hyun-ah — Sung Hyun-ah, who portrays Park Sun-hwa.

Actor Kim Tae-woo — Kim Tae-woo, who portrays Kim Hyun-joon.

Actress Uhm Soo-jung — Uhm Soo-jung, who portrays the yoga woman.

Production and Release

Directed and written by Hong Sang-soo, the film was released on May 14, 2004. It has a runtime of 87 minutes and is categorized as a drama within the arthouse genre. The film was later featured in retrospectives, including a tribute to Hong Sang-soo at the 13th Deauville Asian Film Festival in 2011.

Scene from the film — A still from the production.