To start, idk if this counts as Korean cinema?? It’s a korean cast but the director is hirokazu koreeda, my fav Japanese director rn. I think a lot of the movie takes on more modern contemporary Japanese blocking so the movie has a totally different vibe than any Korean movie I’ve watched. So, I rewatched it again and it was better than I remembered. At first I wasn’t the biggest fan,,,finding it hard to connect to the characters but rewatching it, I really like Koreda's passive use of the camera and dialogue. There are certain lines or scenes that are really disturbing in question, but the way he films it makes it seem normal. It's not normal but he is telling us that this is life. Bad shit happens and there isn't going to be some grand force that pities you. I just love the passive inclusion of disturbing scenes that makes you uncomfortable rather than grossed out. I think Shoplifters does this better, but this movies emotions, character, and overall plot is just so good. Went from a 6 to a 9/10 for me