Modern Boy

Modern Boy is a South Korean film from 2008 directed by Jung Ji-woo, starring Jang-Su Bae, Park Hae-il, Sang-kyeong Hwang, and Kim Hye-soo. Set in the 1930s during the Japanese occupation of Korea, the movie tells the story of a young man named Lee Hae-myung (Jang-Su Bae) who returns to Seoul after studying abroad in Japan to find his missing father.

Lee Hae-myung is a modernist - he is fascinated by Western culture, fashion, music, and film, and hopes to make a career as a film director in Korea. He is also deeply committed to Korean independence and is willing to risk his life to fight against Japanese oppression.

Upon his return to Seoul, Lee Hae-myung discovers that his father has been missing for several months and begins a quest to find him. Along the way, he meets Kim So-hee (Kim Hye-soo), a wealthy woman who is also a modernist and a political activist, and Park Min-jae (Park Hae-il), a private detective who becomes Hae-myung's ally in his search for the truth.

As Hae-myung delves deeper into the mystery of his father's disappearance, he uncovers a web of corruption and intrigue involving Japanese officials, Korean activists, and gangsters. He also becomes entangled in a love triangle with Kim So-hee and Park Min-jae, both of whom have their own reasons for wanting to find Hae-myung's father.

Through their journey, the characters confront the conflicts between tradition and modernity, nationalism and cosmopolitanism, love and duty, and the personal and the political. The movie's stylish visuals, witty dialogue, and eclectic soundtrack capture the spirit of the 1930s, while the acting performances of the lead actors convey the depth and complexity of their characters.

Modern Boy is a thought-provoking and engaging film that explores the complexities of identity, history, and culture in a time of turmoil and change. It is a testament to the power of cinema to evoke emotions, provoke discussions, and inspire action.