A Fresh Start (2014 Film)

A Fresh Start (Korean: 새출발; RR: Saechoolbal) is a 2014 South Korean drama film directed by Jang Woo-Jin. The film explores the lives of young adults navigating unexpected life changes following a brief encounter.

A Fresh Start film poster — Promotional imagery for the 2014 film A Fresh Start.

Plot

The narrative follows Ji-Hyeon, a young man who returns to college after completing his mandatory military service. During his return, he encounters a student named Hye-Rin. Following an impulsive sexual encounter, the two are confronted with the reality of an unplanned pregnancy. After an initial decision to seek an abortion proves complicated, the couple embarks on a journey to the east coast of South Korea.

Production and Release

A Fresh Start has a runtime of 94 minutes. The film held its world premiere on May 3, 2014, at the 15th Jeonju International Film Festival. It later held its international premiere at the 67th Locarno International Film Festival in August 2014, where it was screened in the Concorso Cineasti del presente (Filmmakers of the Present) section.

Reception

The film received critical recognition during its festival run. At the 15th Jeonju International Film Festival, A Fresh Start was awarded the Grand Prize in the Korean Competition category.

Cast

Heo Jae-Won
Woo Ji-Hyun
Lee Hye-Ah
Yang Heung-Ju
Kim Min-Joong