Christmas in August

Original title: Palwolui Keuriseumaseu

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A terminally ill bachelor Hahn Suk-Kyu runs a photo studio in Seoul. One day a young meter maid Shim Eun-Ha visits his studio. Over time they form an untimely though touching bond which lead... Read allA terminally ill bachelor Hahn Suk-Kyu runs a photo studio in Seoul. One day a young meter maid Shim Eun-Ha visits his studio. Over time they form an untimely though touching bond which leads to an unfinished love story.A terminally ill bachelor Hahn Suk-Kyu runs a photo studio in Seoul. One day a young meter maid Shim Eun-Ha visits his studio. Over time they form an untimely though touching bond which leads to an unfinished love story.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 24 wins & 15 nominations

Photos55

+ 48

Top cast11

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Han Suk-kyu

Jung-won

Shim Eun-ha

Da-rim
(as Eun-ha Shim)

Shin Goo

Jung-won's father

Oh Ji-hye

Jung-sook

Lee Han-wi

Chul-goo

Jeon Mi-seon

Ji-won
(as Mi-sun Chun)

Hye-won Kwon

Hyo-jung

Kim Jae-rok

Jung-won's Friend 1
(as Jae-rok Kim)

Do-Yoon Kim

Police Passerby

Yong-jin Park

Lee Yong-nyeo

Ballet Auntie
(as Yong-nyeo Lee)

Director
- Hur Jin-ho
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Quotes
[last lines]
Jung-won: [narrating] I always knew that feelings of love would fade - just like old photographs. But for you... you will always remain in my heart, as you are in my last moment. Thank you, and goodbye.

Connections
Featured in Girls' Night Out (1998)

User reviews35

Review

Featured review

9/10

Hooray for Korean Cinema!

Hooray for Korean cinema! Last year I saw "Chungyang" and "Nowhere to hide", now I catch up with Hur Jin-ho's directorial debut "Christmas in august". The variety of themes and level of achievement speak highly of a national cinema ripe for discovery. This film's major themes are death and love. The graceful and thoughtful way Jung Won(Han Suk-kyu) copes with his impending death, and the sublimation of his desires toward Darim(Shim Eun-Ha) out of true love for her. I was deeply moved by his careful management of behavior and emotions, shielding Darim from unnecessary pain without rejecting her.

The success of this type of film is predicated on the skill of the actors. Han and Shim excel, being both quite expressive yet naturalistic. A number of secondary characters, Jung Won's relatives, friends, and clients, are quickly delineated to enrich the story without detracting from its main focus. To LIVE is to love, but all things must pass. Pain subsides. Life goes on.