"What’s wrong with liking The Man from Nowhere?"

The film 'Guitar Man' (directed by Kim Jong-myeon and Lee Seon-jung) depicts the journey of a guitarist trying to regain hope in life through music amidst the harsh realities. The main character Gi-cheol (Lee Seon-jung), despite having extraordinary talent, lives a wandering life, struggling with inadequate living conditions. By chance, he joins the live club band 'Volcano' as a guitarist, and living with the members, including keyboardist Yu-jin (Kim Sae-ron), he begins to gradually open his heart.

Gi-cheol is a person who has been pushed out and unable to put his feet down in this rapidly flowing world. He lives tightly locked away in indifference and cynicism, but Yu-jin and Volcano slowly break down that wall with sincerity and warmth. Just when Gi-cheol seemed to feel the warmth of life once more, the shadow of his past ultimately pushes him back into the cold reality.

This film depicts the power of music that connects people, and even before its release, it caught many people's attention as it is the last work of the late Kim Sae-ron, who played the role of keyboardist 'Yu-jin.'

Kim Sae-ron was an actress who had built a solid filmography since childhood. However, she was embroiled in controversy due to a drunk driving incident in 2022, which led her to halt her activities. The accident caused a power outage in surrounding stores, leading to severe criticism, and she entered a period of reflection. Although she attempted to return through the play 'Dongchimi,' the public's response was cold, and she ultimately had to step down.

The film 'Guitar Man' was a comeback project that Kim Sae-ron prepared to stand as an actress once more. However, in February, while the film was still in editing, Kim Sae-ron passed away at the age of 25. The fact that she parted with the world just before her comeback, coupled with subsequent personal issues surrounding her, led many to express their regret.

Though 'Guitar Man' presents Kim Sae-ron's last appearance, the work itself leaves much to be desired. While the intention to depict loss and recovery through music was clear, the narrative following that flow lacked strength. The development of the story felt somewhat awkward, and the emotional connections between characters did not evolve convincingly.

Above all, the character 'Yu-jin,' played by Kim Sae-ron, feels more like a tool consumed for the growth narrative of the male protagonist rather than a meaningful presence within the film. In the film, Yu-jin says, "What’s wrong with liking The Man from Nowhere?" continually expresses one-sided affection for the protagonist, who is at least 10 years older, and ultimately exits by helping his 'awakening.' As there was a lack of conviction in the reasons for Kim Sae-ron's return to acting for this project, the disappointment is even greater considering it is both her comeback film and her last work.

Ultimately, what remains memorable in the film is only the bright smile that Yu-jin shows. Those scenes alone seem to contain Kim Sae-ron’s final greeting, shining uniquely and evoking bittersweet feelings.

Release on May 30, suitable for ages 15 and up, runtime 107 minutes

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