[Dispatch | Busan=Reporter Jung Tae-yun] "I wonder if many people have not dismissed only big stories as a single story…." (Kim Min-ha)

'Day and Night Are for Each Other' is a film that beautifully captures fleeting moments. It proves that not only grand narratives can become films, but that one can listen to trivial stories as well.

Director Kim Jong-gwan said, "I focused on stories about small and trivial things, and on the meaning of beauty there," and added, "I hope it becomes a film that creates a deeper relationship with the audience precisely because it is trivial."

The film 'Day and Night Are for Each Other' was first unveiled through the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. On the 6th, a press screening was held at the Cinematheque in Haeundae-gu, Busan.

Director Kim Jong-gwan, Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee-joon, Jeon So-young, Kim Dong-hwi, and programmer Jung Ji-hye attended and discussed the film.

The Busan International Film Festival opened with 'There's No Way Around It' last year and the Netflix film 'Pawn' the year before. They were large-scale productions.

However, this year, 'Day and Night Are for Each Other,' a relatively smaller-scale film, was selected. Regarding the reason for selecting the opening film, programmer Jung Ji-hye said, "BIFF carefully selects outstanding and excellent works every year."

She continued, "This year, regardless of production scale, I believe the significance of the work is by no means small," and praised it as "an outstanding work created by one creator who deliberated and meticulously designed to craft their own world."

She added, "An important selection criterion is choosing a work that can be comfortably watched at an outdoor theater for nearly two hours. This year's opening film sufficiently meets that standard."

'Day and Night Are for Each Other' is an omnibus film. It captures the day and night conversations shared by four couples who stayed at a café during the course of one season.

It takes advantage of the distinctive nature of a café as a place where unspecified numbers of people stay and leave. Each character's unique narrative, personality, atmosphere, and nuance are depicted with a light rhythm and thoughtful perspective.

The beginning captures a brief encounter between Yujin (played by Kim Min-ha) and Hyun-o (played by Joo Jong-hyuk) who stayed at the same café at different times.

Next comes an unexpected reunion of middle school friends Sang-mi (played by Han Sun-hwa) and Young-min (played by Jang Ryul), and a sparkling first meeting between web novelist Hye-jin (played by Shim Eun-kyung) and film director Dong-nam (played by Lee Hee-joon).

Finally, the moment of a final breakup between idol trainee Na-kyung (played by Jeon So-young) and her boyfriend Jong-soo (played by Kim Dong-hwi).

This is a work by director Kim Jong-gwan, who has repeatedly attempted and expanded his unique sensibility and perspective through films such as 'The Worst Day' (2016), 'The Table' (2017), and 'Josée' (2020).

'Day and Night Are for Each Other' most closely resembles director Kim Jong-gwan's 'The Table.' Just as it captured the story of a man and woman unfolding at one table, this time too it unfolds the vibration of relationships without excessive setup or provocative developments.

Kim Min-ha recalled, "I really loved the director so much that I followed his GV events, so when he said he would give me the script, it felt like a dream. It was like reading someone's diary. I sent him a message thanking him for giving me such writing."

She continued, "After watching the film today, I thought many people have not dismissed only big stories as a single story," and added, "I came to think about small happiness and small ripples."

Shim Eun-kyung said, "The character had a personality I don't have, so I was curious why the director offered me this role. The significance lies in taking on another challenge itself," explaining her reason for accepting the role.

The actors fit each sequence like an answer key, but also possess unexpectedness. In particular, they must carry the film through dialogue alone without major events. The actors' capabilities were most important.

Director Kim Jong-gwan explained, "I don't write scripts with many directions. I don't explain whether it's a laugh or sadness. That's why the actors' interpretive skills are important. I cast with reliable actors in mind."

The four couples talk about the beginning of love, face separation, and capture unexpected encounters. Where did the four stories converge into one theme?

Director Kim Jong-gwan said, "I thought the title might encapsulate this film into one. There are dreams and reality. They create contrast with each other. Although the four couples seem apart, they are connected in one space," he said.

He elaborated, "I feel the film is like one stage. When you watch a play, there's a bench under one spotlight, and while you act out coldness in a coat, the audience also feels that coldness together, doesn't it? I directed this work thinking of it as one large stage."

'Day and Night Are for Each Other' will be presented to audiences at the outdoor theater of the Cinematheque immediately following the opening ceremony. Next month, it can be seen at theaters nationwide.

<Photo=Song Hyo-jin, Reporter (Dispatch)>