PARKing CHANce (박찬욱, 박찬경): 청출어람
Day Trip:
A Lyrical Journey into the Heart of Pansori
This is the first time I find myself writing about a film without access to its exact dialogue, yet no overview of Park Chan-wook’s short films would be complete without this beautiful work. While the lack of translation is a pity, the imagery is so powerful that it almost entirely compensates for it; the film remains perfectly intelligible even without subtitles.
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| Song Kang-ho, Jeon Hyo-jung, Park Chan-wook and Park Chan-kyong |
Day Trip is once again a project by PARKing CHANce, the creative duo of the Park brothers. It was produced as a commercial film sponsored by Kolon Sport. The outdoor apparel company launched a series of events celebrating its 40th anniversary with the "Way To Nature" film project. However, this fact is only relevant regarding the film's production background, as there is absolutely no trace of overt branding within the movie itself.
That said, the slogan "Way to Nature" may have served as inspiration. We already saw in Night Fishing how skillfully the directing duo handles Korean traditions. The same happens here, albeit in a completely different theme and mood. The horror-inflected playfulness of previous films has vanished, leaving behind only raw dramatic power. We see a pair consisting of a silver-haired old man and a young girl. Despite his urban suit, the old man is a somewhat mythical figure, while the girl is a very contemporary youngster. Master and apprentice journey toward the mountains, and along the way, the girl bursts into tears, devastated by her recent third-place finish in a pansori competition.
The old master leads her to the Namsan Mountains. For foreign viewers unfamiliar with Korean traditions, it is important to know that pansori—a traditional narrative singing style—involves a ritualistic preparation known as a 100-day retreat. During this time, practitioners retreat into nature to practice their craft amidst its soundscapes. This period not only aids in developing their self-awareness and stage presence but is also when they acquire their distinctive, husky voice; they would sing with such volume and strain that their throats literally bled.
While that physical extremity is not the focus here, the girl must grasp a fragment of the old man’s wisdom. It is no exaggeration to say that the frames capturing this moment of understanding—and the acquisition of knowledge—are of cinematic significance. Few have managed to portray the fusion and simultaneous rivalry between man and nature, the true roots and primordial power of tradition, with such breathtaking beauty and dramatic intensity.
The film is a lyrical depiction of the transmission of knowledge between generations and the peaceful departure of the elder generation once their task is complete.
The white-haired old man is played by none other than the legendary Song Kang-ho, who underwent extensive makeup sessions to authentically portray a character much older than himself. The role of the apprentice was won by 15-year-old Jeon Hyo-jung after a meticulous casting process, and her pansori singing is a magnificent experience.
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