Persona: Sulli (2023) Review: A Moving Portrait of Sulli Beyond Celebrity

 

Persona: Sulli | 2023 | 2 Episodes
Genre: Documentary | Country: South Korea
IMDb: 7.9/10
My Rate: 10/10

Persona: Sulli presents Sulli's final work before her passing, combining an imaginative short film with an intimate documentary interview that offers a glimpse into the person behind the celebrity image.

 

Synopsis of Persona: Sulli

Persona: Sulli is the second installment of the Persona series, following the first season starring IU. The original project was planned to consist of five short films. However, Sulli's sudden passing during production led the production team to change its plans.

As a result, Persona: Sulli consists of only two episodes and became her final work before her passing in 2019.

Episode 1: Four: Clean Island

A young girl loses the woman she calls "Mother" in an accident. While she is in critical condition, she is given the name Four. From that moment on, she is known simply as 4.

As she grows older, 4 works at a pig slaughterhouse. One day, she encounters a special pig that is also named 4. The two develop a close bond and spend their days together as if they are simply two people who understand one another.

One day, 4 sees an advertisement for a place called Clean Island. She believes that going there will allow her to begin a new life, so she decides to take her pig companion with her.

However, 4 does not know the dark secret hidden behind Clean Island.

Episode 2: Dear Jinri

Dear Jinri is a documentary about Jinri, Sulli's real name. Using her real name rather than her stage name allows viewers to see her as a person rather than simply as a celebrity.

The documentary is divided into five chapters, inspired by L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This concept also connects to Sulli's final song, "Dorothy."

In the documentary, Sulli talks about her childhood, her successful years as a K-pop idol and actress, and the more difficult parts of her life. She discusses her struggles with mental health, the feeling of being treated like a commodity, and the negative comments she received from the public.

 

Review of Persona: Sulli

"I might be stronger once I accept my vulnerability."

Persona: Sulli is an especially significant work because it became Sulli's final project before her passing. Considering how abruptly the original five-film project had to be changed, continuing to release the work was, in my view, a meaningful decision. It allows audiences to see the effort and sincerity Sulli put into the project.

The first episode presents a unique story filled with implicit messages and symbolic comparisons. One of the strongest ideas is the way celebrities can be treated like commodities, represented through the pigs in the slaughterhouse.

The character development and storytelling are also handled well. The unexpected twist at the end makes the story even more interesting and encourages viewers to reflect on what the story is really trying to say.

Sulli's performance is another strength. She portrays two different characters, and both are presented convincingly. The makeup and visual styling also complement the characters beautifully.

One particularly memorable moment is when 4 appears to talk and joke with the pig 4. At times, they look like two girls having a conversation; at other times, they seem like two pigs simply playing together.

This scene carries a deeper meaning. Beneath the happiness they share, there is also a sense of loneliness. Their relationship feels comforting precisely because both characters seem to understand what it means to be alone.

The second episode, Dear Jinri, takes a completely different approach. As a documentary interview, it feels much more realistic and intimate. There are moments of silence, hesitation, and genuine facial expressions that allow viewers to see a side of Sulli rarely presented in the media: Jinri as an individual rather than as a celebrity.

The emotional weight of the documentary becomes difficult to ignore knowing that it was released after her passing. Fans who admired Sulli may feel a particularly strong connection to the person speaking on screen. The interview also gives viewers an opportunity to better understand some of the struggles she experienced, although it cannot provide a complete explanation for the choices she ultimately made.

The documentary is enhanced by clips from Sulli's life, her interactions with fans, and excerpts from her previous work. The presentation is also highly artistic, which makes the documentary feel less like a conventional celebrity interview and more like a personal portrait.

It can be said that the production team succeeded in creating a thoughtful tribute to Sulli.

The most memorable scene comes when Sulli tries to hold back tears while talking about how she deals with the pressure placed upon her. Her expression communicates emotions that are difficult to put into words.

This moment reminds us that the way we treat other people can have consequences that we may never fully see. Words, judgment, and careless behavior can leave an impact long after we have forgotten them. Because of this, it is important to approach others with kindness and empathy.

Overall, Persona: Sulli is a deeply emotional and meaningful work. It allows viewers to encounter Sulli through both fiction and reality, and perhaps most importantly, to see the person behind the image that the public had come to know.

(Aluna Uwie)