Junho the Movie

준호

A bystander’s story of transgression, guilt, and youth

In the aftermath of the Me Too movement in Korea, Junho, a rising member of a prestigious theater troupe shrouded in controversy, moves from Seoul to San Francisco in an attempt to escape the fallout. After leaving the culturally conservative community in Seoul and then arriving in San Francisco, one of the most liberal cities, Junho tries to start a new life, one that is far from acting, but his conscience will not allow him to outrun his past.

Plot

Junho is the story of a young man running from his previous life as a member of the Changbi theater troupe. After sexual assault revelations surface, the troupe is not only dismantled, but blacklisted from the community. Although just a bystander, Junho is overwhelmed by his complicity through silence; especially because of his close friendship with one of the victims. In an attempt at a fresh start, Junho moves to San Francisco… but he soon realizes that distance is no cure for the pain and stifling guilt that he feels inside.

Synopsis

When a rising young Korean stage actor, Junho, finds himself embroiled in a terrible scandal of sex abuse and violence, he flees his conservative community of Seoul; leaving his past behind, with hopes of a fresh start. When Junho arrives in San Francisco, we see his almost comedic struggle to communicate among language barriers and cultural differences. We also witness his internal struggle with the deep guilt he feels surrounding a situation from the past in which his inaction left a woman in serious need helpless. A woman who happened to be his best friend, Jin. Junho’s experience highlights the dilemma that many face as bystanders in similar situations.

A contemporary story that intertwines themes of sexual abuse, male culpability, immigration and identity.

Filmed on location in Seoul, South Korea and San Francisco, California.

Illustrating both the beauty of these cities as well as a glimpse into the underbelly and dark side of their cultures.