Introduction
2018 marked the release of the South Korean drama High Society, which was both written and directed by Byun Hyuk. Starring Park Hae-il and Soo Ae, the film depicts the story of a married couple determined to infiltrate the upper socio-political echelon of South Korea. Whilst the couple’s socio-political climb provides the characters with numerous opportunities, the film prompts the viewer to consider the moral dilemmas and the toll that such socio-political capital entails.
High Society has a meditation on the study of the socio-political and socio-economic genesis of personal power and a legacy. The film is a study on the personal and relational intricacies of the socio-political ladder.
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Plot Summary
The narrative centers on a couple residing in Seoul, with the husband, Jang Tae-joon, being a public and well-respected political economist. Tae-joon delivers public lectures and is a notable figure for his activism in political issues. His burgeoning reputation attracts the attention of politicians, and speculates Tae-joon to run for office.
Her spouse, Oh Soo-yeon, is an assistant curator in one of the art galleries. She possesses the ambition and intellect necessary to advance to the role of gallery director and despite operating within the high cultural spheres, she feels invisible and diplomatically slighted. Finally, she feels the need to claim the more influential and visible position she aspires to and is prepared to work for it.
Subsequently, Tae-joon intervenes in an incident which turns him into a public figure, wins him media attention, and sympathy from the public. The political contenders from the latter recognize the value of his popularity and urge him to join their campaign. Though initially reluctant, Tae-joon’s interest in politics is piqued by the prospect of making a substantial difference.
Hoping to gain the influential position within the gallery, Soo-yeon, like every other major player in the art world, is forced to deal with the paradox of self-advancement being more tied to social capital than her professional experience and expertise, which she has in abundance. She starts building networks with the powerful patrons and art investors for the opportunity her position offers.
Simultaneously, husband and wife realize how intricate and challenging elite societies can be, how they must often make moral compromises and confront uncomfortable truths. The circles they begin to frequent—politicians, business, art, and even personal acquaintances—force them to interrogate and reassess their values, if only due to the stark and often disquieting differences in their worldviews.
Ultimately, the couples’ separate pursuits of their business interests results conflict. The couple moves in uneven sync, and in some cases, in opposition. The narrative works toward a moment crystallized in self-reflection when they must decide if they will abandon their beliefs in favor of the relentless pursuit of wealth.
Main Characters
Jang Tae-joon
An intelligent and reasonable individual, Tae-joon begins with a rigid value structure. As he advances in the political hierarchy and obtains influence, he learns that it often comes with unwanted entanglements.
Oh Soo-yeon
Soo-yeon, while equally motivated, works in a distinct sphere of the elite world. Her story illustrates the struggle of developing a career when the environment is more dominated by patronage and social networks than by personal merits.
Han Yong-suk
Han Yong-suk is a pivotal individual in the art scene. His impact on Soo-yeon is monumental. He epitomizes the gatekeepers of privilege and the way they direct the paths of others.
Supporting characters
These include the politicians, the administrators of galleries, friends of the family, and elite society club members. These characters display the various tiers within the social order and each in their own way, impacts the life changes of the couple.
Thematic concerns
- The Cost of Ambition
Ambition is the central focus of the film. It is not negative in itself, yet the film suggests there are compromises that become necessary. It is evident that both Tae-joon and Soo-yeon are confronted with choices that they would not have anticipated at the outset of their careers.
- Class and social structure
The expression High Society encompasses a great deal more than mere monetary wealth. It involves the powerful inner circles and how impossible they are to enter or move through, without making a profound sacrifice.
- Integrity and reputation
The film conveys the interplay between reputation and integrity through Tae-joon, who is an honest professor, and the politics that surround him. It suggests that within the systems of politics, there are questions on the preservation of personal integrity while working in the realm where influence is placed over integrity.
- Marriage and Partnership
As the couple expands and collaborates in differing fields, the relationship comes under strain. The film questions the impact of the differing personal goals of each spouse in a marriage and whether continuous mutual support is possible when a couple wishes to be individually successful.
- Image and Reality
In all the worlds of the film, moral and personal uncertainties of the characters are hidden behind the social masks they wear.
Visual Style and Direction
Director Byun Hyuk enhances the narrative with powerful images, pouring the various layers of meaning to be uncovered. The modern, elegant architecture of glass offices, gallery halls, and luxury buildings framed in the shot is a symbol of the ambition and the loneliness that comes with power.
The characters emotional shifts from hope to disenchantment is illustrated in the changing color palette from bright to muted and cold.
The reflection of the characters emotions, social tensions, and the narrative is achieved through the slow pacing. The economy of dialogue, prolonged silence, and the spatial intervals in the various scenes deepen a contemplative mood.
Reception
The response to High Society was somewhat mixed. Some reviewers commended the film’s visual elegance and the performances of cast members, especially Park Hae-il and Soo Ae. Others, however, found the story to be interesting, if somewhat incomplete regarding several of its themes and emotional development.
That said, the film was indeed perceived as offering plenty to contemplate, particularly regarding the unbridled ambition and the pressure of upper-class society. It found audiences among those who appreciate slow, character-driven narratives and modern dramas that expose the intricacies of life.
High Society (2018) is neither a thriller that unfolds rapidly, nor a drama laden with action sequences. It is, instead, a quietly emotional picture that examines the psyche of two individuals who are, as society would say, upwardly mobile, only to discover that the pursuit of power and status entails their own distinct set of complications.
Conclusion
By showcasing subtle performances, impactful imagery, and a gently unfolding plot, the film prompts the contemplation of important questions: What is success? How can we remain authentic in a society that prioritizes facade over true essence? And is it possible to develop ourselves without losing the important people in our lives?
If you appreciate reflections on ambition, interpersonal connections, and self-respect that are articulated in a profound and thoughtful manner, then High Society will provide a multilayered narrative that is sure to resonate with you long after the film has ended.
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