People and Meat

Like an idol under stage lights, like an athlete who ultimately triumphs over any adversity, like a drama that ultimately wins love despite all the trials and criticisms, the world of 'K' that symbolizes Korea is indescribably beautiful. However, Korea that is not 'K', thus our real society is not that beautiful. For example, there is something that perfectly occupies Korean society but no one properly acknowledges it. That is aging. Even the low birth rate, which is being discussed as a social issue, will exacerbate this aging problem in the long run, yet aging is not being highlighted as much. Thus, the working lives of Koreans (including journalists) are expected to become longer. And while that reality feels distant to us, there are people who are right in front of us. They are the elderly generation.

The reason for this lengthy introduction is to introduce a film. Released on October 7, 〈People and Meat〉 features three elderly men who go from meat restaurant to meat restaurant eating without paying. Just reading the description, unpleasant words may come to mind for each of us. However, if you watch 〈People and Meat〉, you will gather those words that have surfaced in your mind. Moreover, it is highly likely that you will reconsider the 'old farts' we have encountered countless times in reality, sometimes uncomfortable and even unpleasant. 〈People and Meat〉 depicts three 'people' eating 'meat', reminding each audience member of the elderly and our future that will inevitably come.

The story revolves around Park Hyung-jun, Jang Woo-sik, and Yeo Hwa-jin, who are strangers to each other. If there is a commonality among them, it is that they are elderly men who live day by day by collecting scrap paper or selling vegetables. Like the famous line from a Russian novel, "All unhappy families are unhappy in their own way," the three are in similar situations but differ in their circumstances for various reasons. Hyung-jun has a nice house and a family, but it has been a long time since they have been in touch. Hwa-jin barely sent her only grandson to college, but he only seeks her out when he needs money. Woo-sik, who has no family, lives in a small house on that hill, taking in a stray cat and sharing a bit of milk while starving. Initially, Hyung-jun and Woo-sik, who started fighting over "this is mine and that is yours," end up sharing a meal together by chance. Hwa-jin unexpectedly joins them. The food they prepare together is beef soup. As Hwa-jin scolds, "Why are you just watching and not eating?" both Hyung-jun and Woo-sik have not had such luxuries in a long time, so they cannot take the first bite. In a Korean society where the daily dilemma is what to eat today, some people are so moved that they cannot even eat a piece of meat. The skilled performances of veteran actors Park Geun-hyung, Jang Yong, and Yeo Soo-jung make these scripted elderly characters appear as real elderly men, and the audience becomes solemn at their portrayal.

Of course, the film is not entirely heavy. If we had to classify it, it leans towards a comedic atmosphere. Woo-sik, claiming he will buy meat, takes Hyung-jun and Hwa-jin to a meat restaurant, then says, "Actually, I have no money," and suggests eating without paying. What can they do? They are all in the same boat financially. Thus, the small escapades of the three are repeated within the bounds of a few rules they set and faithfully adhere to. Reminiscent of a caper movie, their eating without paying, targeting only the "popular restaurants," injects vitality into their lives. The scene that breathes life into the seemingly hard lives of the elderly is quite unfamiliar and thus refreshing. Such joy cannot last long (and in a law-abiding society, it should not last long), but one cannot help but wish that the joy of these three lasts forever, even if just for a moment.

Yet, ultimately, the reality that each must accept draws closer. The things they wanted to hide begin to surface one by one, and the three find themselves in a situation where they must end this joyful journey. In any other film, this would have led to tears being shed multiple times, but 〈People and Meat〉 chooses to accompany Hyung-jun, Woo-sik, and Hwa-jin with the same calmness they exhibit. And that calmness lingers deeply in the hearts of the audience who spent a little over 100 minutes with them.

In the story of three elderly men eating without paying, 〈People and Meat〉 aims to focus on a point of Korean society, but unfortunately, it is increasingly being pushed aside by the logic of reality. I want to bring this film to audiences who say, "There is nothing to see," but the problem is, "There is nowhere to go." From my professional perspective, observing the state of theaters daily, I do not criticize the choices of theaters. In the current shrinking industry, it is market logic to bet on works that attract even one more audience. Even if one understands that situation, the fact that the daily screen share immediately after release was only 1.4% at its peak, and the maximum number of daily screenings was only 101, was a harsh starting line for 〈People and Meat〉.

Fortunately, audiences who recognized its value, along with fellow filmmakers like Choi Kang-hee and Yoo Tae-oh, are actively supporting 〈People and Meat〉 through social media word-of-mouth and sponsored screenings. While the absolute numbers are small, at least the weekend audience numbers have been steadily maintained, and even starting from Monday the 21st, there has been an upward trend (based on statistics from the 23rd). This can be attributed to the power of audiences who recognize good films. Even if that power does not create a storm that shakes the world, I cautiously predict it will create small ripples in the theater industry. And I hope for a reality where I can say, "See, I was right, wasn't I?"