Once in a Summer

Once in a Summer (Korean: 그해 여름) is a 2006 South Korean romantic drama film directed by Joh Keun-shik. The film stars Lee Byung-hun and Soo Ae.^[2] It won Best Film and Best Director (for Joh) at the 15th Chunsa Film Art Awards in 2007.

Once in a Summer
Theatrical poster
Hangul	그해 여름
RR	Geuhae yeoreum
MR	Kŭhae yŏrŭm
Directed by	Joh Keun-shik
Written by	Kim Eun-hee
Produced by	Park Mu-seung Bang Chu-sung
Starring	Lee Byung-hun Soo Ae
Cinematography	Lee Hyung-deok
Edited by	Kim Sang-bum
Music by	Shim Hyeon-jeong
Production company	KM Culture
Distributed by	Showbox/Mediaplex
Release date	November 30, 2006 (2006-11-30)
Running time	121 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean
Box office	US$1,593,491[1]

Plot

To make up for her poor performance as an assistant producer, a girl promises to have her reserved but very renowned professor appear on their television series. The show involves locating the long-lost loved ones of the participant's past. Although hesitant at first, the professor finally agrees. His story takes the assistant back 50 years—1969—when the world is in chaos.

President Park Chung Hee is a dictator and the students are furious. Suk-young and a group of his classmates travel to the country to escape the tense city and help a small village become up-to-date with newly invented technology. It is there he meets Jung-in, a very pretty girl who is the custodian of the only library. Cheerful and happy, they first run across each other when Suk-young hears Jung-in singing while hanging up laundry. Over the period of time that Suk-young is at the village, they get to know each other more. Although Jung-in is hesitant, she gradually opens up to Suk-young. However, their bumpy courtship is threatened by dark secrets that Jung-in hides about her family and their history in the village, secrets that will haunt the pair as the volatile political climate catches up with them.

Cast

• Lee Byung-hun as Yun Suk-young
• Soo Ae as Seo Jung-in/Lee Jung-in
• Choi Deok-moon as Suk-young's senior
• Jeong Seok-yong as Mr. Kim
• Lee Hye-eun as Bok-ja/Elena
• Lee Se-eun as Lee Su-jin
• Na Ki-soo as Suk-young's father
• Oh Dal-su as Nam Gyun-soo
• Yoo Hae-jin as PD Kim
• Kim Kwak-kyung-hee as Condom woman
• Park Nam-hee
• Kim Jung-ki
• Ko Jun

Release

Distribution rights to Japan were sold for US$4 million.^[3][4]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result.
2007	15th Chunsa Film Art Awards	Best Film	Once in a Summer	Won
		Best Director	Joh Keun-shik	Won
		Best Actor	Lee Byung-hun	Nominated
		Best Actress	Soo Ae	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Oh Dal-su	Won
		Best New Actress	Lee Se-eun	Won
		Best Music	Shim Hyun-jung	Won