The Song of Nabjaru tte

The movie *《Nabjaru-tte (The Bitterlings)》* is a 1986 South Korean youth road movie, marking the film directorial debut of the late comedian Seo Sae-won.  🎬 Basic Information **Release Year**: 1986 **Genre**: Drama, Youth, Road Movie **Running Time**: 90 minutes **Director/Screenplay**: Seo Sae-won (Co-written with Seok Do-won) **Main Cast**: Seo Sang-young (as Seo Se-pal), Won Jun (as Kkam-sang), Ahn Do-hee (as Jeong-hee), Go Seung-cheol (as In-tae), Kim Ki-seok (as Kkal-nun), Seo Jeong-hee (as Mi-ae) 📖 Synopsis Summary The protagonist, 'Se-pal', buys a used car on the verge of being scrapped and sets off on a reckless road trip with his friends to chase their dreams. Traveling through various cities, they form deep bonds of friendship while encountering different incidents, such as rescuing a woman from a gang of delinquent youths. After arriving at a ski resort, they enjoy some leisurely time together. However, as they resume their journey, tragedy strikes when a sudden car accident takes the life of their friend, 'Kkal-nun'. Leaving their grief behind, the remaining friends continue their endless journey in search of their dreams.  💡 Behind-the-Scenes & Reception **Seo Sae-won's Directorial Debut**: As one of the most popular comedians of the era, Seo Sae-won generated massive public interest when he took the megaphone. The title 'Nabjaru' is derived from the pure Korean word for a native freshwater fish (bitterling). **Box Office and Criticism**: Upon release, the film suffered a major box-office failure due to its unconventional cinematic grammar and poorly structured plot, failing to win over both critics and audiences. The theater attendance at the time was limited to around 17,000 viewers. **Supporting Cast and Cameos**: Seo Sae-won's former wife, Seo Jeong-hee, starred in the film, and several fellow comedians of the time, including Nam Seong-nam, Kim Jeong-yeol, and Cho Jeong-hyeon, made cameo appearances. 🎞️ A Personal Memory of the Film This is a movie I remember sneaking into the theater to watch back in my high school days. A song that sets a man's heart on fire? It is a song from those days when I used to dream of living life just like a movie. [Intro] (Lonely acoustic guitar arpeggio and a sorrowful harmonica melody, building up slowly) [Verse 1] A rattling used car, the engine's dying roar They mock this piece of junk, locked outside the door But Kkam-sang, In-tae, look, our fire's still alive With burning blood inside my veins, we’re ready to drive [Chorus] We are Nabjaru-tte, swimming up the ragin' stream Small but unbreakable, holding on a heavy dream On this endless, lonely road fading out of sight We will never stop our run, racin' through the night [Verse 2] Brilliant white snow, smiles we used to know But cruel fate strikes hard, puttin' on a tragic show Cold asphalt highway, frozen wheels and a scream Kkal-nun, why'd you leave so fast, wakin' from the dream? [Bridge] I grip the tear-stained steering wheel, pushin' through the pain We'll carry all your broken hopes through the wind and rain Let the sorrow blow away, let the engines cry Step on the gas, it's time to fly [Guitar Solo] (A long, passionate, and crying electric guitar solo with 1980s distortion, reaching the emotional peak of the song) [Chorus] We are Nabjaru-tte, swimming up the ragin' stream Small but unbreakable, holding on a heavy dream On this endless, lonely road fading out of sight We will never stop our run, racin' through the night [Outro] The wind past the window sounds like you callin' out Goodbye my friend, we’ll live without a doubt Ridin' through the shadows, headin' for the spark Straight into the risin' sun, leavin' all the dark... [End] (Music fades out with a final echoing electric guitar chord)