Synopsis

Three retired K-pop idols take a trip to Jeju Island. Leaving behind their failed careers and unspoken wounds, they seek compensation for their lost school days. However, on the first day of the trip, Sarang loses her luggage and gets caught up in an unwanted quarrel. Facing the soar memories from the past, friends slowly begin to move forward.

Curators’ note

Three retired K-pop idols embark on a long-overdue school trip to Jeju, but their plans take an unexpected turn when Sarang loses her suitcase. As their journey unfolds across the serene island, the audience is drawn into the unfiltered world of idols — a place far removed from the glamour of the spotlight. Beneath the calming pastel hues of tangerine farms, seaside landscapes, and campfires lies a moving narrative that juxtaposes moments of serenity with the harsh realities of unfair treatment, sexual harassment, and exploitative contracts. Through these heavy themes, the film lays bare the lasting scars the industry can leave on young dreamers, while offering a glimpse of hope as the protagonists rediscover friendship, growth, and solace through their shared resilience. （Sally Fu)

Director’s bio

NAMKOONG Sun was born in Seoul. Studied architecture at Seoul National University and MFA for filmmaking at the Korean National University of Arts. Director and writer of feature film Ten Months (2021) and numerous acclaimed short films.

Director‘s statement

NAMKOONG Sun, who has consistently shown a deep affection for the energy, emotions, and struggles of twenty-somethings where ideals intersect with reality, took on this project after being approached by the Commission. In reflecting on the challenges faced by today’s youth, the director found herself delving into the intense world of idols, a realm of blood, sweat, and tears.

“The feeling of working tirelessly, almost inhumanly, chasing the elusive possibility of a dream until it all ends with retirement or the termination of a contract, only to finally stand face-to-face with real life after that door closes—it didn’t feel like such a distant story,” NAMKOONG shared. The director saw the Korean idol system as a microcosm of the struggles and emotions we all endure in the modern capitalist labor market.

Through extensive research, NAMKOONG encountered the untold stories behind the glamorous spotlight of K-pop idols’ lives. This led to a realization that the project demanded a more delicate approach. After much deliberation, the director decided not to cast actors with actual idol backgrounds. “Acting itself requires performers to stand in a vulnerable position where they expose their own experiences and emotions in front of the camera.

Forcing someone with firsthand experience to relive those emotions would go against the fundamental principles of a film about the unprotected,” NAMKOONG explained.

Rather than focusing on dramatic incidents or entertaining travel anecdotes, the film gently weaves in reflections aimed at helping individuals move forward, freeing themselves from the past that holds them back and rediscovering life in the present. The message NAMKOONG seeks to convey through Time to be strong （2024）extends beyond the idol world. The film is poised to resonate as a heartfelt and enduring comfort to young people navigating life’s ups and downs, offering a gentle reminder: “It’s tough, isn’t it? But it’s not your fault.”

Festival & Awards

2024

26th Jeonju International Film Festival Grand Prize, Best Actor Prize，Watcha's Pick

35th Singapore International Film Festival Silver Screen Award （Nominee）

48th Sao Paulo International Film Festival 2024

24th Kaohsiung Film Festival Taiwan 2024

Casts

Choi Sung-eun, Hyun Woo-seok, Ha Seo-yoon

Credits

Scriptwriter: Namkoong Sun

Cinematography: Kim Sun-hyuk

Music: Byul.org

Production Design: Ung Jaeyoung

Editor: Choi Kyung-yoon