Beautiful,
daring, and haunting, No Regret represents a
breakthrough for both Korean queer cinema and
independent filmmaking. Opening in only a handful of
theaters, the gay-themed film not only garnered great
reviews, it also managed to attract 40,000 moviegoers,
setting a new box office record for an indie film.
No Regret is the debut feature from Leesong
Hee Il, Korea's first openly gay filmmaker. Leesong has
long been a familiar name in the festival circuit,
having directed the acclaimed short films "Sugar Hill",
"Good Romance", and "La Traviata", which was a part of
the omnibus Camellia Project - Three Queer Stories at
Bogil Island. In No Regret, he continues to
delicately explore universal themes of love and
sexuality set against uncommon relationships.
No Regret presents complex, well-rounded
characters that do not occupy convenient stereotypes.
Lee Young Hoon, who starred in Leesong's "Good Romance",
gives a stirring performance opposite Lee Han, who also
appeared in last year's award-winning indie film
Don't Look Back. The two young actors portray men of
vastly different backgrounds, and the film subtly brings
out issues of class structure and gay culture with both
gravitas and good humor. The story is anything but
predictable, capturing both the beauty and sorrow of
love, heartache, and a life lived with No Regret.
Turning 18 years of age, Su Min (Lee Young Hoon)
leaves his orphanage and moves to Seoul, working various
jobs to save up money for university. After losing his
job at the factory, Su Min ends up working as a male
escort at a gay bar. Already close to hitting rock
bottom, Su Min's life gets both more chaotic and more
meaningful when Jae Min (Lee Han) walks into his life.
Coming from a wealthy, conservative background, Jae Min
keeps his sexual orientation hidden from his family.
Although he is already engaged, Jae Min is willing to
give up everything to be with Su Min, and the two fall
into a passionate relationship. But when the realities
of life catch up, love may not be enough.
