[Movie] Kcontents: Netflix Korean Movie “Next Sohee” Review (Youth Labor Issues, Jeonju Call Center True Story)
“Next Sohee,” available on Netflix, is a powerful Korean drama based on the true story of a high school trainee at a Jeonju call center. The film, directed by Jung Ju-ri and starring Kim Si-eun and Bae Doo-na, explores the harsh realities of South Korea’s performance-driven society and the exploitation of young workers. Through its gripping narrative and strong performances, “Next Sohee” highlights systemic issues within the education and employment sectors, resonating deeply with viewers and prompting social change.
Q: What do you think is the biggest problem in South Korea today?
A: I believe it is the fact that people are seen not as individuals, but as numbers. People who are treated as numbers are also chasing after numbers themselves. Our society seems to be pursuing material wealth and ostentatious happiness that can be expressed in numbers.
A snippet from an interview with young people on the streets, which I had seen in a video clip, left a strong and lingering impression on me. Although I don’t remember the exact dialogue, the sentiment was very similar to this.
After seeing the thumbnail and trailer on Netflix, I finally decided to watch a movie I had been putting off for fear of becoming depressed. The feelings expressed in that interview mirrored my emotions as I watched the film. The movie made me reflect deeply on the indifference and harsh capitalism stemming from South Korea’s performance-oriented society. Through the restrained performances of the actors, I could empathize with the story as if it were my own.
Overview, Netflix Korean Movie “Next Sohee”
- Genre: Social, Drama
- Director: Jung Ju-ri
- Cast: Kim Si-eun, Bae Doo-na, Jung Hoe-rin, Sim Hee-seop, Kang Hyun-oh, and others
- Rating: Naver 8.74
- Total Audience: 110,000
Released in February 2023, “Next Sohee” is directed by Jung Ju-ri, known for her previous work “A Girl at My Door”. The movie is based on the true story of a trainee at a Jeonju call center in 2017. It exposes the harsh realities of South Korea, depicting a heart-wrenching narrative without embellishment, which left me feeling suffocated and as if I had swallowed a hundred bitter pills.
The film resonated with the feelings of many young people, including myself, who live in South Korea and struggle with similar realities. Kim Si-eun’s performance, despite being her first leading role, was so immersive that she was recognized as a rising star, even winning the Newcomer Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. Although the movie did not break even financially, it had a significant social impact, prompting the passage of the “Next Sohee Prevention Law” in the National Assembly, which had been delayed for a long time. Additionally, it was the first Korean film to be selected as the closing film of the International Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation for seven minutes.
Plot, Netflix Korean Movie “Next Sohee”
“I’m an office worker now?” Sohee, a cheerful 18-year-old high school student who loves dancing, begins to change as she starts her on-the-job training before graduation. “You couldn’t stop it. But why didn’t you do anything?” Detective Yoo-jin, who recently returned to work, discovers new facts while investigating a case and follows the trail. This is the story of two people who once crossed paths in the same space but at different times. We have all met someone like her. (sources: Naver Movie)
“Thank you, dear customer.” Sohee, an internet call center trainee, is assigned to the team responsible for retaining customers who want to cancel their services. In this team, she offers incentives like cash and gift cards or threatens elderly customers with penalties to meet performance goals. This extreme emotional labor environment, filled with verbal abuse, drives her to her limits. Initially bright and optimistic, Sohee’s demeanor changes as she struggles to adapt. Despite her efforts, her temper flares, leading to a confrontation with a customer. Her team leader, who usually scolds her, consoles her instead and sends her home, but the next day, Sohee files a report about the situation and takes her own life.
After Sohee’s death, she works tirelessly to make money but realizes that, as a student and a social underdog, she is being exploited by a subcontractor of a large corporation. Her anger and frustration grow, but her attempts to express her grievances are ignored, leading to her tragic end.
Memorable Points, Netflix Korean Movie “Next Sohee”
One poignant scene is when Sohee’s father visits Bae Doo-na at the police station, begging her to catch the perpetrators. He shows her text messages between him and Sohee, revealing that she had worked overtime many days without proper pay. He also mentions that the team leader had committed suicide as well.
“Father, how did you feel when Sohee cut her wrist? Did she say anything? …You were with her at that time. Did she say anything?” Sohee’s father responds with tears, “I didn’t know. This child, knowing how much it would break her parents’ hearts… If I had known, I wouldn’t have sent her to that company or that school. But I didn’t know anything… Detective, I didn’t know anything…”
This scene overlapped significantly with my own experiences, making me tear up even more. It was a time when I was dealing with similar feelings. Maybe parents, despite their love, are often the last to understand their children’s struggles. Yet, paradoxically, I wish my parents could understand my heart.
As the eldest in my family, I have always felt a strong sense of responsibility, never expressing my struggles openly. My parents think they are giving me love and support, but I have never shared my true feelings. Once, I jokingly said life is boring and questioned why everyone struggles so much, which led to a lengthy debate. Since then, I’ve been even more reserved.
Life may be boring, but I am striving to find joy in it. Like Sohee, I have had moments of similar thoughts but decided to give life another chance. This is why that particular dialogue sticks with me. Why didn’t her parents notice her suffering, even when she resorted to self-harm? Was it because they trusted the company’s reputation or simply chose to overlook it, hoping everything would turn out fine?
Review, Netflix Korean Movie “Next Sohee”
Watching “Next Sohee” made me realize how ignorant I had been about the “on-the-job training” system and its flaws. This movie starkly exposed the reality that high schools and technical schools are evaluated based on employment rates rather than the quality of employment, leading to the exploitation of young students.
The film left me feeling suffocated by the system’s flaws and societal indifference. Despite a young person’s death, no one is held accountable. Bae Doo-na’s character appears in the second half of the film, representing a force trying to correct these injustices. However, the complex web of relationships and interests, from large corporations to subcontractors, schools, and government agencies, makes it difficult to resolve.
The film shows that the original company pressures the subcontractor for performance, the subcontractor blames the school for sending problematic students, the school prioritizes its employment rates, and the education authorities and government support this exploitative system. In this competitive environment, the government aligns with the corporations, reducing schools to mere “illegal dispatch agencies” or “labor suppliers.”
What provides some solace is the presence of characters like Bae Doo-na’s, who, despite not being able to solve everything, stand up and recognize the problems. Her message to Sohee’s boyfriend Tae-joon carries significant weight: “Next time you get angry, talk to someone. Call me, even.”
Conclusion
“Next Sohee” is a deeply impactful film that sheds light on the harsh realities of youth labor exploitation in South Korea. Based on true events, it highlights the systemic issues within the education and employment sectors and the indifference that often accompanies them. The movie is a poignant reminder of the need for societal change and the importance of recognizing and addressing the struggles of the younger generation.
This film not only offers a critique of the current state of affairs but also provides hope through characters who strive to make a difference. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the real challenges faced by young people in today’s performance-driven society.
This review now includes the detail that the story is based on true events, maintaining a comprehensive and detailed critique of the film “Next Sohee” and its significant themes and messages.