Forever With You (1958)
Gwang Pil's cheeky persona showing through as Ae Ran shyily tries to cover herself up after being caught in the rain. The story begins with three children building something in the sand along side a huge wall. In the background, dramatic music wavering in intensity. The camera slowly raises and we see over the wall. Men are toiling with shovels while being watched by guards. It is a prison. In the transition. we hear an excerpt of "comfort and joy" (some foreshadowing?) from the song "God Rest Ye Merry Men" as the camera refocuses and pans in to showcase a conversation between two inmates. One of them is being released. His name is Gwang Pil. The other man questions him about his life and what he has waiting for him on the outside. He teases him. Gwang Pil is happy because he believes that he will finally reunite with his childhood love, Ae Ran. He mentions that she has been keeping his spirits up by writing to him and sending him packages. Gwang Pil reminisces about how he came to be in prison, and we witness in a flashback to his youth what happened to him and Ae Ran. Gwang Pil was a free-spirited youth. He lived with his mom in a small town. Ae Ran worked in a bakery. Gwang Pil was fond of Ae Ran. However, another young man named Dal Soo was also fond of Ae Ran. While Dal Soo was charming Gwang Pil was assertive and Ae Ran acknowledged her affection for him. Much to Ae Ran and his mother's disliking, Gwang Pil was immature and ran with Dal Soo and mutual friend Sang Moon in a gang, going around town pickpocketing. One night, the three of them break into an army compound but in an attempt to help Sang Moon, Gwang Pil is caught and placed in jail. In jail, Ae Ran comes to visit Gwang Pil. She reveals that the bakery has burned down and she has gone to work at a bar. Gwang Pil is upset by this news. Ae Ran then reveals that his mother has died. This greatly upsets Gwang Pil. Disturbed by the bad news and his longing to be beside Ae Ran, Gwang Pil escapes. The grown up Gwang Pil reflects that he should have been patient and he would not have had to serve such a lengthy sentence in prison. A matured Gwang Pil in opposition to a still slimy, conniving Dal Soo at Dal Soo's cabaret. When Gwang Pil is released, his old friend Sang Moon comes to pick him up, not Ae Ran. Gwang Pil can speak nothing but of Ae Ran. Sang Moon, during Gwang Pil's imprisonment, was converted to the Catholic faith and became a priest - a priest with a few vices (i.e. cigarettes and alcohol). Gwang Pil reveals his grand plans to change, be a barber, and settle down with Ae Ran. Sang Moon is troubled and eventually reveals that it was him and not Ae-Ran that sent him letters and packages. Gwang Pil is dismayed and becomes determined to find out what happened to Ae Ran. We find that Dal Soo has gone on to become a cabaret owner, and he has married Ae Ran. Gwang Pil is horrified to learn of their connection. He soon learns that Ae Ran is weak and ill and stays at a hospital. In addition, Ae Ran has had a child. Upon meeting Eun Joo, he believes the child is his own. In the midst of this human drama enters a Japanese man. Dal Soo conspires to take all of his money and to get rid of him. Unfortunately, his men do not do a thorough job. The police discover the body. Now Dal soo has a dead body to deal with along with an old, unwanted friend - out to take his wife. Dal Soo cares only somewhat for Ae Ran. However, he eventually cracks and takes his anger and frustration out on her. This places Ae Ran's health in decline. Ae Ran wants nothing more to prevent Gwang Pil from ending up in jail again. She desires his happiness and has been sacrificing her own to protect him and Eun Joo. In the end, only three people are left - Gwang Pil, Sang Moon, and daughter Eun Joo. At the end, they are seen leaving the grave Ae Ran together. Each scene sets the next, the transitions are not choppy but linear. The story is not hard to follow. While this might render this a simple tale, it is not and its worth is a blossom that blooms at the very end. Our attention is held until that final moment when they realize the consequences of their actions, their beliefs, their desires, their greed, their naivety and feelings of invincibility, and their sense of justice. Finally, it is love that bonds and saves Gwang Pil, Sang Moo, and young Eun Joo. This love that sprang forth from hardship. Unity through adversity. Though there are moments of uncomfortable amateurish acting, Yoo Hyeon Mok, with his trusty camera, is able to capture both innocence, invincibility of youth, hope, despair, desperation, repentance, seediness, allure, deciet, and unconditional love from the faces, actions, and words of his actors. Certainly, Yoo was not alone because he had a solid team that supported him in lighting, art direction, and editing, etc. There are a few flaws, but they are few and for the benefit of the entire movie - worth overlooking. B+ 
Forever with You, 1958
Black & White
From Yoo Hyeon Mok collection
Cast:
Story
Analysis
Forever With You is an early period film of Yoo Hyeon Mok. However, the themes are clear - despair, desperation, and division. We have a pair of separated lovers. We have the despair found in this separation and circumstances resultant of their despair and desperation. Ae Ran with child takes shelter in Dal Soo's arms because Gwang Pil, in his youthful immaturity follows Dal Soo into mischief, and she and her daughter need protection and support. Not once but twice, Gwang Pil has been separated from Ae Ran both indirectly by Dal Soo. Dal soo and Gwang Pil's division symbolizes the division between North and South Korea. Kinsmen against kinsmen over the beauty of woman (i.e. Korea).
Quotes
Sang Moo: Will you smoke?
Gwang Pil: No, I lost the taste. A friend is the best.Gwang Pil: (When he asked if he wanted to brush his hair) I can’t brush my unkempt* brain. *Meaning: His mind is disturbed, and he is not happy. He is troubled
Sang Moo: Only he who controls his emotions lives a peaceful life.
