Kim Yong-ho (Sol Kyung-gu) once had it all: a business, a family and a home. But after a series of unfortunate events and poor decisions, Yong-ho lost everything. Amid defeat and pain, he stands on a railroad hoping that the incoming train could take him back in time.“Peppermint Candy” is a 1999 South Korean movie, written and directed by novelist Lee Chang-dong. Besides Sol Kyung-gu, the movie also stars Moon So-ri as Yun Sun-im and Kim Yeo-jin as Hong-ja.
Described by many as Lee’s most innovative and ambitious work. “Peppermint Candy” is an analysis of a country's macro environment and the role it plays in a person's sanity.
Told in a reverse chronology of Yong-ho’s life, director Lee Chang-dong transports us back in the 1980’s and 1990’s South Korea where important events, such as the Gwangju Uprising and Asian Economic Crisis, changed the country forever. Even more so, the movie perfectly illustrates how these episodes in South Korea's history affect the citizens through the image of Yong-ho.
Yong-ho's descent to madness and dehumanization is the product of many external forces. His character is unlikable because it's supposed to be a reflection and a critique of the progression happening in South Korea. Lee used the tension and changes happening in his country to lead us into a deeper understanding of his characters. Though Yong-ho remained one-dimensional throughout, it's impossible to discount that his life is dictated by the political and social issues existing in the country. Yong-ho is a bad person but the environment he walks is even worse.
To simplify, “Peppermint Candy” is Lee’s way to summarize the ugly and everlasting effect of the different reforms that happened in South Korea. Also he interpolated his philosophies and poetics via some metaphors and symbolism to reach deeper meanings and messages.
“Peppermint Candy” can only be as compelling as what it is if not for Sol Kyung-gu’s dedicated performance. The movie actor won numerous awards for his portrayal of a demented man. On the other hand, Moon So-ri and Kim Yeo-jin have their moments, however, they didn’t shine as expected. Though that might be a result of limited screentime.
“Peppermint Candy” is the second movie of Lee Chang-dong but I still find it raw and too heavy to consume. Though props to Lee for being unconventional in delivering the narrative and bold with the subject of suicide and violence. I am looking forward to seeing Lee's other movies.
3/5
