Moon Sang-min and Go Ah-sung illuminate love and beauty in Pavane
by solstices
A melancholy trailer shines light on Netflix’s upcoming romance film Pavane, introducing the trio of its tale. Based on Park Min-gyu’s novel Pavane for a Dead Princess, the film adaptation centers around a man who’s unquestionably attractive, a woman who’s absolutely unattractive, and a writer who observes them both.
Byun Yo-han (Black Out) opens the teaser with a pessimistic narration that all love is founded upon misconceptions. For one, the misconception that the person you love is unlike all the others; for another, the misconception that love will last forever. The focus shifts to Moon Sang-min (To My Beloved Thief) as Kyung-rok, the son of a famous actor, and his exceptional good looks guarantee him an easy path through life. But in contrast to his privilege, Kyung-rok often finds himself listless, aimless, and hopeless.
That emptiness spurs him to take up a part-time job as a parking lot attendant just to pass time, and that’s where he meets Go Ah-sung (Tracer). She’s the plain Jane department store staff Mi-jung – or perhaps plain Jane isn’t the right moniker, since apparently she’s unattractive enough to earn the nickname of “dinosaur.” In fact, the novel has Kyung-rok describe Mi-jung as “the world’s ugliest woman.” Uh, I don’t see it, but okay.
Shunned by society due to her appearance, Mi-jung has withdrawn into herself. Since she comes from poverty, she doesn’t see any ray of hope in a society so fixated on beauty and wealth. But Kyung-rok changes that. It’s precisely Mi-jung’s unattractiveness that has Kyung-rok utterly transfixed, falling in love and drawing Mi-jung out of the darkness she’d been buried in.
To that, Kyung-rok’s parking lot supervisor Yo-han – played by a bleached-blonde Byun Yo-han – has a word of advice. A free-spirited soul with “Amigo” always on the tip of his tongue, Yo-han writes the stories of youth while looking out for his newest subordinate (and newest friend, by the looks of it). “If there’s no love, don’t approach her recklessly,” Yo-han warns. But Kyung-rok speaks of idealism: “Love is about lighting up each other’s souls.” Just like the filament of a lightbulb, sparking to life through the connection between two points.
Alas, life has other plans. Kyung-rok pretends everything’s fine over the phone despite the tears staining his cheeks, juxtaposed with idyllic scenes of his budding connection with Mi-jung. Interweaving complex societal critique with a poignantly philosophical romance, this narrative delves deep into the internal ruminations of its characters. Will their love be able to conquer all, or will they crumble under society’s judgment? After all, Yo-han doesn’t believe in happy endings.
Helmed by filmmaker Lee Jong-pil (Escape) who co-wrote the script with Son Mi (One Day Off), Pavane is slated for a February 20 release.
Via Sports Kyunghyang
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