How Past Lives explores the Asian diaspora experience, especially the tension and beauty of living between two cultures.
The significance of Greta Lee’s performance and her fear of speaking Korean, being filmed in 35mm film.
The childhood relationship between Na Young and Hae Sung and how their sweet bond sets the foundation for the rest of the story.
The scene of their final childhood goodbye on the stairs—symbolic of diverging life paths and emotional separation.
The realism of immigration—what is gained and lost when families move to another country, and how that move changes identity and aspirations.
The film’s exploration of inyeon, the Korean concept of fate or connection, and how it plays out in both romantic and platonic relationships.
The emotional Skype calls between Nora and Hae Sung in their twenties and how video calls ultimately weren’t enough to keep them together.
Arthur’s perspective as Nora’s husband and how he navigates feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and his genuine interest in her Korean identity.
The triangulated tension during the New York reunion—how Nora, Arthur, and Hae Sung’s interactions reveal different types of love and connection.
The power of silence and simple gestures, particularly in the final moments between Nora and Hae Sung.
Why Nora cries at the end—mourning a love that never was, and the layers of her past that she can never reclaim.
Whether Nora and Arthur’s marriage is built on love, convenience, or shared experience—and how their synchronized steps at the end suggest a kind of unity.
The cinematography’s role in enhancing the film’s emotional resonance, including scenes of the Brooklyn Bridge, ferry rides, and the iconic closing restaurant sequence.
References
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After I listened to the podcast, I watched it again, partly because my take was a bit different and I wanted to understand why. I was happy for all of them by the end, even understanding her tears and her husband’s comforting arms. She still loved Hae Sung and always would, and was sad to say goodbye, but all three of them could move forward with their lives with more confidence and faith than they had before.
ReplyDeleteHae Sung was really stuck, unable to commit to marriage and his future without figuring himself out. But he knew that seeing her again was the key. I don’t know that he went back to the girlfriend or possibly realized that she wasn’t the right one, but he learned a lot that was good to know, including that Nora was with the right guy who loved her, and in the right place for her own huge ambitions.
Both men realized that Nora would never stay with a man she didn’t love and believe in. If Hae Sung had fantasies that she needed rescuing, meeting and liking Arthur put that away, painfully. But as he said, for Arthur, she is the woman who stays. I think he’ll be ok now, and knows that, and that Arthur will take good care of his childhood love.
For Arthur and Nora, I think they gained a stronger marriage, more confident in each other’s love. And when they wistfully say goodbye, there’s the inyeon, so it’s see you then!
Ellen, thank you for this insightful comment. I agree with you that Hae Sun was stuck, and that both men knew that Nora could never stay with a man she didn't love or believe in.
DeleteI didn't think the story had a happy ending, even though there was resolution for ALL of them. I do think they can all move on, but there's a sense of melancholy that I think all of them will continue to carry.
I think Hae Sun will be haunted that Arthur is clearly the man for Nora right now, and he's not the one for her, not in this lifetime, maybe ever. I really liked your insight that maybe Hae Sung thought Nora needed rescuing, but that was clearly a fantasy because Nora was always strong, she was the one who left. Although she WAS the crybaby when they were younger.
So much to this movie. Love all the insights. Thank you.
This last comment was me. I have no idea why my name got cut off. Oh well.
DeleteI have originally wrote extremely long post, few pages, but I have eventually cut it to a veeeery long one.
ReplyDeleteI will try to discuss mainly the points where I disagreed, or saw it differently.
* I will touch quickly though on the identity of the movie. I see it mainly as American, or Canadian, because Celine’s living experiences are ultimately in Canada and USA. That is where she studied and learnt her craft. She is also the type of people who integrate with her new environment, and those will be more influenced by the new culture.
Not to mention that almost the entire team behind the camera is North American or British. And the movie, generally speaking, doesn’t have the Korean aesthetics.
*Nora’s ambition: I kind of saw that in a different way from Ernie. I didn’t see her as always trying for the best. On contrary, I saw her ambitions declining with age. Rightly, or wrongly, Nobel Prize is the most prestigious award, Pulitzer is lower than that, and Tony is even lower. So, the fact that she started with Nobel Prize, and now she will be happy if she gets a Tony is a major step down in dreams and ambitions.
Yes, Tony is her field now, but she has essentially accepted the fact that she is playing in a lower league.
For the record. I am not saying that hierarchy is right. I am just saying that is how things are perceived.
*Arthur: Hmm. I am a man, and I didn’t see him unrealistic. Maybe a nicer in one or two scenes but not far fetched (and I completely disagree that there is any comparison between him and Gwan Sik who didn’t have an argument in 40 years of marriage lol). I thought he acted as well as he could. He was actually smart, and if he acted differently, things could have escalated and had lasting damage.
I will try and break my pov. Arthur showed jealousy, and certain self-doubt. And he even expressed that. But, what would you want him to do?
Going with her to see him? That is completely unreasonable behaviour imo. Basically you are telling your partner “I don’t trust you”. Is that something women really like to hear? And what if she refuse? Is he going to follow her?
She will probably end up seeing him on her own anyway, but now with the added anger on him.
And how does that bode for their future relationship? You want to come with me when I see other men, I will come with you when you see other women.
Is that a healthy relationship?
I know jealousy is often portrayed in fiction as cute and sign of love, but I think it is very destructive, and the cause of endless break up of relationships, domestic abuses, and murders.
It is a natural emotion, but we must control (like anger) it and act reasonably.
*Can men & women be friends? First, shout out to Joanna, who clearly stated her disagreement with the movie “When Harry Met Sally”. I found the statement that men and women can’t be friends triggering. It seriously annoy me.
I am struggling to elaborate, because I have to write an essay. So, I will just say that I absolutely think they can.
*Inyeon: As far as I am concerned this movie is a refutation of this theory. And, as Nora has put it “It is just a pick up word”. This concept with some various tweaking is common in all cultures. Any meeting with any person (not only loved one) is extraordinary, and there must have been billions of small things to go in a certain way for that meeting to happen.
Also, how many of these people who are full of “Inyeon this and Inyeon that” at the start of their relationship end up hating each other just few years down the line.
We humans just love to add mystique and sprinkle magic lol. And it is certainly beautiful concept. But, sorry, I don’t believe in its various iterations.
*Crying in last scene: I am with Sunghee. I think she is saying goodbye to her old life.
Seven Seas, you must have posted your comments while I was typing up mine! I pretty much agree with everything you said. Except for maybe Nora lowering her standards to a Tony. Its not like she now wants an Emmy. They'll give anyone an Emmy! Amirite Ernabel?! I KID! I KID! ;-) Interesting that you and I had slightly different views on Arthur then the women on the podcast....
DeleteSeven Seas, I am SO HAPPY that you weighed in with your comments. I loved hearing the male perspective. First, I absolutely believe that men and women can be friends. I have two best friends at the office and one is a man. We've traveled together, we train at the same gym - he is my buddy! I also adore his wife, who used to work for me AND we're in book club together. I also have a very good male friend who runs a similar company to mine, but in a different sector. I call him my big brother because I've learned so much from him!
DeleteSecond, I agree with you and Malcolm that acting jealous, being angry, moping, being resentful would not be good in this situation. As for my husband, he trusts me completely. I go to lunch and dinner with male clients and business partners all the time and he doesn't bat an eyelash. BUT, if he suspected that some man flew 13 hours to see me, he would want to meet this guy and go to dinner with him. He would probably grudgingly let me spend the day with him, but insist on him meeting us for dinner. I guess, just like Arthur.
I don't agree that this movie refutes the idea of inyeon. I do think, however, that we can't have different definitions of providence, fate or inyeon based on where you're from. I think that if our past lives tie us to people in the future, that should and will happen regardless of whether you're American, Korean, Filipino, Norwegian, or Eskimo.
I am so glad we reviewed this movie!
The listeners have asked for longer episodes and you girls have delivered! But seriously, I’m impressed you kept it under two hours. I could talk about this movie for hours and hours. Of all the shows and movies you’ve covered in eleven seasons, this is the one I can most relate to. Well, this and Kingdom! 😝
ReplyDeleteWithout oversharing, I can say I have been in the position of Hae Sung, Arthur, and even to a lesser extent Nora. One thing I found very interesting about this movie was how this particular story was set in a specific time in recent history where the developing technology made Nora and Hae Sung’s story possible. Nora left Korea in the late 90’s before the internet was ubiquitous, before Facebook, and before calling or texting internationally was easy and cheap. Nora and Hae Sung only connected 12 years later because of the rise of Facebook, which I think was made available to everyone in the US in 2006, but it apparently did not take off in Korea until 2011-12. And of course, by then they could talk via Skype (how Skype lost out to Zoom is probably something they will study in business school for a long time). I could relate to this because I made good friends when I studied abroad in 1995 that I completely lost touch with because it was before widespread use of email and the internet. When I studied abroad again in 2001, I managed to keep in touch and still text with some of them every day.
I could also relate to the difficulty of a long-distance foreign relationship. Ironically, often times to more educated or established you are, the more difficult it is to just pick up and move for love. Hae Sung, despite almost completing an engineering degree, could not throw that away and move to the US. And Nora had already moved twice and was now in New York pursuing writing, and she wasn’t going to throw that away to move back to Korea. But I do not understand why neither one of them could not find the time and money for a quick trip to see what it would be like if they met in person. If you are 24-year-old guy and you are into someone like Nora and you think you have a chance, you will get on that 17 hour flight!
I disagree a bit with you guys regarding Arthur’s behavior. I think he’s obviously jealous and insecure. I mean look at him and look at Nora! (like I said I’ve been in those shoes…) I think I would have acted a lot like Arthur, and if anything would have been more over the top by being friendly and welcoming to Hae Sung. Being a jealous, mopey, or angry husband would not be a good look with someone like Nora.
And finally, I have to agree with Ernie that this movie was love letter to New York City. The fact that it was shot on 35mm makes it that much more stunning. As someone who “emigrated” from the NYC almost ten years ago, it really hit home. In fact, the bar scene was filmed at the Holiday Cocktail Lounge which was literally across the street from where I lived on St. Mark’s Place! Although back then it was much more of a dive bar.
I could go on and on about this movie, but I’ll leave here for now. Thanks for reviewing and finally giving me a reason to get around to watching this film.
Malcolm, fantastic comment about how your education and career sometimes make it harder to follow the one you love. I remember me and my friends working so hard on our education and our careers. It just felt wrong to give up opportunities for some guy or some gal. And yet, as we got older, it felt wrong to give up a love just for some job.
DeleteYou'll have to tell me all about the Nora, Arthur and Hae Sung situations you've been in. Some time over drinks, for sure!
And how fun that you knew the bar in the movie. I agree this movie was a love letter to New York.
I am so glad you loved this movie!
Thank you for this, I enjoyed it. I saw a few interviews with the cast that were interesting. Celine Song really followed some classic method acting directing… She did not let Teo Yoo and John Magaro meet in person or over Zoom (had them turn cameras off during Zoom rehearsals) until their first meeting in the apartment with the cameras rolling. She told Teo and Greta Lee to not touch at all except for the hug on camera, so the physical tension would remain high. Teo said he took a lot of inspiration from the young actor who plays Hae Sung as a child.
ReplyDelete