Persona | 2019 | 4 episodes
Genre: Drama/Thriller | Country:
South Korea
IMDB: 6.5/10
My Rate: 9/10
Presents four different stories with four characters or personas from different directors about love in many forms, sincerity, revenge, and loss that will shatter hearts and minds.
Warning:
Scenes of violence, self-harm,
coarse language, smoking, alcohol, and heavy themes
Synopsis:
Four different stories acted by IU
raise themes about love. Not only that, but they also present themes about
sincerity, the meaning of love, love in different forms, and also about loss.
There are four episodes in this series with durations of approximately 19 to 30
minutes. The episode details are as follows:
Episode 1: Love Set
A young woman watches a tennis match
between a man and another woman. However, jealousy shines in the young woman's
eyes. She calls her friend to come and asks her to flirt with the woman.
However, it turns out that the man is the young woman's father, and the young
woman does not want her father to have a relationship. A fight then occurs
between the young woman and her father's lover.
Episode 2: Collector
A man reunites with his lover who
disappeared for several days without news. The woman says that she just
returned from a vacation with her friends. The man feels upset and jealous of
the woman's attitude. That feeling arises because he feels he has sacrificed
everything just to be with the woman, including breaking off his engagement.
However, the woman seems to be a different person, especially after seeing her
interact with another man. The man tries to show his feelings to the woman.
Episode 3: Kiss Burn
Han-na cannot contact Hye-bok, her
friend. She goes to Hye-bok's house and only finds Hye-bok's father there.
Believing that Hye-bok is actually at home, Han-na hides and waits for the
right time to look for Hye-bok. When she finds Hye-bok, she appears to have
many kiss marks that she got from a man she met on the beach. Hye-bok also has
a strange haircut, cut by her drunken father. Han-na and Hye-bok want to take
revenge for what happened to Hye-bok, but they do not know whom to take revenge
on. Finally, the choice falls on Hye-bok’s father. They try every way to ‘harm
him,’ but all fail.
Episode 4: Walking at Night
A couple walks together along the
road at night. They recall their past and the memories they have shared.
Reality hits the man again as he realizes that the woman he has loved all this
time has actually passed away. The journey he is going through now is just a
dream. However, a deep conversation takes place between them. The woman does
not want the man to feel guilty about her death.
Review:
"There are people who know me, and people who don't"
Persona is a series consisting of
four episodes with different stories. There is no connection between one
episode and another. Each episode is presented in a unique way with meaningful
stories. Unfortunately, the first episode feels less than optimal.
The first episode, Love Set, serves
as the opener for this series. The story idea is actually interesting, about a
child’s love for her father and not wanting him to remarry. However, this idea
is presented less effectively.
The unclear background of the
characters weakens the story’s foundation. For 15 minutes, viewers are only
shown tennis scenes with several extreme close-ups on some details. The unclear
characters and scenes also make this episode less impactful.
The conflict presentation is quite
visible, especially the inner conflict of the main character. The resolution is
well presented with character development of the protagonist. However, the
father’s expressions in the film are somewhat confusing.
The second episode, Collector,
presents a deep story and is interestingly delivered using several symbols and
analogies. The acting by the players is very good, with well-built chemistry.
The choice of music and camera movements truly match each scene.
The background of the characters and
story is well built. The arising conflict is gradually developed, and the
problem to be addressed is clearly visible. The resolution is also well done
with an unpredictable twist. The mystery is presented in the right proportion
and forms a harmonious whole.
The third episode, Kiss Burn, raises
a somewhat lighter theme but is also full of meaning about a unique friendship.
Many funny events are presented in this episode. Unlike the other three
episodes, here we see a brighter side of IU’s acting.
The story is presented
systematically, and the background is well delivered. Each character has a
clear function. The arising conflict is quite interesting, with a resolution
that surprises the audience.
The fourth episode is Walking at
Night. This episode truly leaves a deep impression. The story about loss and
guilt is the main topic raised. Although not many characters appear, the story
feels dense. The dialogues used well depict the story’s content and the
characters’ feelings.
The background of the story is well
presented. The conflict arises gradually with a very good resolution. The
choice of songs plays an important role in adding a deep impression in each
scene. The black-and-white color composition used also gives a different
impression from the other episodes.
Overall, this series presents an
interesting story to watch. Unfortunately, placing the episode Love Set at the
beginning of the series might not be a very good choice. Nevertheless, the
story can still be enjoyed well. However, it can be said that this episode is
somewhat unclear in the message it wants to convey.
Episodes 2 and 4 actually leave a
very deep impression. However, perhaps the most impressive episode choice falls
on episode 4. When watching this episode, we can feel a calm and profound
atmosphere. The dialogues used and the interactions between the actors also
appear emotionally close.
This series is suitable for those
who like films with psychological themes. Especially for fans of IU, because IU
delivers stunning acting with all the different characters.
Also watch Persona: Sulli, which
also presents an interesting story. Although it is presented differently
because the incident that befell Sulli made the story unable to be completed.
Recommendation:
Must Watch
(Aluna)
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