Ipanema Boy

Ipanema Boy (Korean: 이파네마 소년; RR: Ipanema Sonyeo) is a 2010 South Korean independent fantasy romance film directed, written, and produced by Kim Kih-Hoon. The film explores themes of memory and loss through a surreal narrative.

Plot

The story centers on a young man struggling with the fading memories of his first love. During his journey, he encounters a girl by chance. As they grow closer, he shares a fantastical story with her about a small door located deep within the sea that serves as a gateway into the dreams of others. Their budding relationship is interrupted when the boy suddenly disappears, prompting the girl to search for him.

Scene from Ipanema Boy — A scene featuring the lead characters in Ipanema Boy.

Production and Release

The film was released in South Korea on November 4, 2010, with a runtime of 95 minutes. It features cinematography by Choi Se-Kyu. The cast includes Lee Soo-Hyuk as the boy, Kim Min-Ji as the girl, Chun Woo-Hee as a friend, and Cha Mi-Kyung as the owner of a bed and breakfast.

Reception

Ipanema Boy was screened at the 11th Jeonju International Film Festival, held from April 29 to May 7, 2010, where it competed in the Korean Feature Films category. The film received the Audience Critic’s Award and the Movie Collage Award at the festival.