Loose
"Loose" tells the story of Ian, a young man whose life, like his shoelaces, has come undone. After a heated argument with his friend Theo, everything unravels. Ian’s shoelaces are loose as he runs—just like the grip he has on his own life. He trips, he falls, but he keeps running, trying to escape the heavy weight of guilt that’s chasing him.
The film moves between Ian’s frantic present and the moments that led to his downfall. Theo’s anger, Ian’s reckless decisions, and the consequences he can’t undo. When Ian crosses paths with Eunji, she offers a small act of kindness: tying his loose shoelaces. But even that gesture can’t fix the bigger problems he’s facing.
"Loose" explores what it’s like to feel unmoored, running from mistakes while knowing you can’t keep avoiding them. It’s about how something as small as tightening shoelaces can feel grounding when everything else is coming apart. Ian is caught in the grip of guilt, struggling to pull his life back together, but the path to redemption is anything but simple.
This film captures the raw emotion of being young and lost, trying to tie up loose ends before it’s too late.
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Juewan Daniel RohDirector
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Juewan Daniel RohWriter
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Juewan Daniel RohProducer
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Geonu DoKey Cast"Ian"
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Yunji HeoKey Cast"Eunji"
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Wonik SonKey Cast"Theo"
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HyeongtaeDirector of Photography
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Project Type:Short, Student
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Genres:Drama
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Runtime:5 minutes 35 seconds
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Completion Date:September 5, 2024
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Production Budget:3,600 USD
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Country of Origin:Korea, Republic of
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Country of Filming:Korea, Republic of
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Language:Korean
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Shooting Format:Digital: 1920:1080, SONY
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes - Korea International School
I study in high school while pursuing filmmaking. My interest in film started when my sister got her own digital camera. I quickly fell in love with capturing moments through a lens. I moved on to working as an assistant on set, and then built my skills as a Director of Photography on student projects and short films. To fund my work, I earn part-time income by teaching children English and shooting short films for small businesses. Some of my favorite works come from Korean director Park Chan Wook, as well as other American directors such as Martin Scorsese and Richard Linklater. My current favorite film is Richard Linklater's "Before Sunset" as I was enamored by the pure and genuine portrayal of human connections and how our relationships mold us.
I was born in America but raised in Korea, attending an English-speaking school. So despite looking fully Korean, I can't speak it well. This blend of cultures shaped my perspective, as I often dealt with inner turmoil regarding my mixed identity.
The camera can become my voice. Being generally socially reserved, the angles, light, and movement portrayed through the camera lets me communicate my thoughts and feelings. I'm able to say the things I couldn't say before. My emotions, values, the things people don’t always notice. Each project I make is a way to bring life to those unheard words, to create something you can feel without needing to hear it.