Mom's Friend

"Mom's Friend" revolves around Seong Soo, a naive and aspiring young man who dreams of a bright future at Seoul University. The struggles of making ends meet in a city as vast and unforgiving as Seoul prove to be too much for him, especially when he falls victim to a seemingly legitimate real estate scam. Willing to start anew, he relocates to the city with a mix of excitement and trepidation. It is during this challenging chapter of his life that Seong Soo turns to the one available option he has - his mother's friend's house to live in, which turns out to be a unique instance where he will be living with and under the supervision of a sexy self-employed mother, Soo Jang. The experience for Seong Soo must immediately change his point of view with regards to his mother's friend, who he had previously seen in a more respectable light. Initially, Seong Soo's plan is to just use Soo Jang's place as a temporary solution until he can secure more permanent accommodation. As life unfolds in this unfamiliar space, however, he is consistently faced with many awkward social interactions, amidst discovering that Soo Jang not only walks around the house in her bathrobe but she also knows some adult moves. Furthermore, due to her age and position as a mother-like figure, all of these initially amusing developments turn Seong Soo into turmoil filled of emotions - self- repulsion that stemmed from the immaturity of feelings his mother's friend is creating and the feeling of shame about his desires. To add to Seong Soo's emotional turmoil is his strong attraction to Soo Jang, which develops further with each passing encounter. Although Soo Jang appears to be outwardly cold and perhaps unromantic, it gradually becomes clear that she possesses a complex inner world, characterized by unwavering dedication to her work and an enduring spirit. The fact that she always exudes a sense of undeniable sophistication might not only add to her appeal but also show that maybe there is more to this once outlandish figure than initially anticipated. Through its steady and observant portrayal, the movie poignantly captures the confusion and challenges that occur as Seong Soo decides to confront the turmoil that has defined his stay in Soo Jang's house. As events unfold in unexpected directions, it gives raise to difficult circumstances as well as unconventional situations that consistently give Seong Soo tough choices to make about his interests, the situation he is in, and, ultimately, his faith in himself. As Seong Soo faces the choice between repressing his emotions and living truthfully with regard to his most genuine desires, it stands as testament to life's complexity in all its many forms and expressions, illuminating on the aspects of a relationship: how uncomfortable situations can give rise to learning, and how a deep unspoken understanding between two young people struggling to make sense of their lives amidst uncertainty.