Socialphobia review [LKFF 2015]: “A very important film.”

Socialphobia review: Goes one step further and examines the psychology of its main characters as a microcosm for the world we currently live in.

Young director Hong Seok Jae arrives on the scene with his debut feature Socialphobia. An appropriate mystery thriller that encompasses social commentary and a very modern twist. You may have heard of a little thing called the Internet, and how it has spawned social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Such networking has changed the way we interact and converse with each other, changing our relationships and everyday lives. Socialphobia goes one step further and examines the psychology of its main characters as a microcosm for the world we currently live in.

Following a group of adults just out of the youth stage, we start with the suicide of an army deserter, a big issue in Korea with mandatory military service still implemented. After the news breaks tweets of support pour in, but as always one user chides and mocks the death of the soldier. A group of young men, including two aspirational trainee police officers, Ji Woong (Byun Yo Han) and Yong Min (Lee Joo Seong), decide to pay a visit to the flamer, Ha Young (Ha Yun Kyoung), after her details are leaked online during the midst of a huge flame war. The group records the events, streaming live online, but find that Ha Young is dead in an apparent suicide. As the group faces the guilt of what their actions have caused, Yong Min believes that there is more to the death than meets the eye.

Hong’s debut film is smart and thrilling from its opening to the last frame of film. The events are something the majority of people, particularly young, will be able to relate to. These days tweets can actually make the news and debates still rage concerning freedom of speech and inciting hatred. It looks at the psychology of how people express anger and disgust behind the relative safety of a computer monitor, while also asking us to consider the lives these people lead and what makes them feel such behaviour is acceptable.

Like all great films the script is very balanced. You’ll hate, like, and then sympathise with a number of characters throughout. The groups hounding of Ha Young at first seems justified before turning nasty and cruel. It’s a similar situation with the investigation itself, as our protagonists are more interested in solving the case to make themselves feel better, rather than bringing about justice for Ha Young.

The plot unravels like a child’s mystery with a very mature tone. The group investigate the case without the knowledge of the police, who become absent quite early on. They investigate with excitement, seemingly forgetting that someone has lost their life. Ji Woong is our emotional core and Byun does a terrific job at portraying the complex character. He is easily swayed by the group, but also questions their actions, detailing the feeling of acceptance and power from a mob mentality. Meanwhile Yong Min is more of a moral vacuum, but not everything is as it seems.

Socialphobia is a very important film and one that is very of the moment. It explores a current issue, while not sacrificing entertainment or thrills. As a murder mystery the plot twists are well spread out, while humour is also incorporated to heighten some of the more absurd theories and acts of our amateur detectives. Hong Seok Jae is a very exciting new talent and with something so provocative and hard hitting, he looks set to have a great career.

Socialphobia review by Luke Ryan Baldock, November, 2015.

Socialphobia screened at the London Korean Film Festival 2015 as part of their Busan International Film Festival strand.