Right Now, Wrong Then

Arriving a day before he is scheduled to speak in Suwon, film director Ham Chunsu finds himself with hours to fill in a city he does not plan to explore. A chance detour leads him to a restored palace where he meets Yoon Heejung, an artist with a sharp eye and a warm smile. They stroll to her workshop to inspect her paintings, then share a casual dinner of sushi and soju, sitting at a table and letting conversation drift from art to life. Later they cross Heejung's circle in a café, exchanging stories and laughter as the mood shifts from curiosity to something closer. When questioned about his marital status, Chunsu admits the truth, dampening the mood between them.

Directed by Hong Sang-soo, Right Now Wrong Then released in 2015. The film unfolds as an intimate drama driven by long takes and dialogue, with Jung Jae-young and Kim Min-hee delivering restrained, natural performances. It showcases Hong's signature observational style.

Awards: The film drew positive notices and earned nominations at several international film festivals, though it did not win major prizes. Critics highlighted its subtle performances, inventive structure, and the way it toys with perspective as highlights. That balance of humor and melancholy has earned favorable comparisons to Korean cinema.

Cultural Impact: The movie is celebrated for its meta approach to romance and cinema, presenting two parallel encounters that invite viewers to compare choices and outcomes. It has inspired discussions on honesty, memory, and how small moments shape relationships. In festival circuits it drew attention for its smart humor.

Reception & Themes: Critics praised the film for its quiet intelligence and the way it probes memory and desire through patient dialogue. The core tension centers on honesty, creative impulse, and the price of revisiting a moment. These conversations linger after the credits. They encourage rewatching to notice subtle details.