Lovers Vanished (2010 Film)
Lovers Vanished (Korean: 폭풍전야; RR: Pokpungjoenya) is a 2010 South Korean romantic melodrama directed and written by Cho Chang-Ho. The film stars Kim Nam-Gil and Woo Seul-Hye Hwang in the lead roles.
Plot
Soo-In (Kim Nam-Gil) is a former chef who is wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison. While incarcerated, he learns that inmates diagnosed with HIV/AIDS may be eligible for release. In a desperate attempt to escape, he intentionally infects himself with the blood of an HIV-positive inmate named Sang-Byun (Jeong Yun-Min). Before they part, Sang-Byun asks Soo-In to visit a seaside café called Luth if he ever manages to leave prison.
After escaping, Soo-In tracks down the priest who had an affair with his wife. The priest admits to the murder before committing suicide, leaving Soo-In with no way to clear his name. With nowhere else to turn, he travels to the café Luth. There, he meets the proprietor, Mi-ya (Woo Seul-Hye Hwang), a woman who harbors deep emotional trauma. She hires him as a cook, and the two eventually develop a romantic relationship. The narrative takes a turn when Soo-In reveals that Sang-Byun was the one who directed him to the café.
Production and Release
Principal photography for the film took place between March and June 2009. Although the production faced initial challenges in securing a theatrical release, the film was eventually released in South Korea on April 1, 2010. This delay was mitigated by the rising popularity of actor Kim Nam-Gil, who had recently gained widespread recognition for his role in the MBC drama The Great Queen Seondeok.
Cast
- Kim Nam-Gil as Su-In
- Woo Seul-Hye Hwang as Mi-Ya
- Jeong Yoon-Min as Sang-Byun
- Nam Sung-Jin as Ki-Yeon
- Shin So-Yul as Min-Jung
- Kim Jae-Rok as the priest
