[Review] Hong Sang-soo captures actor's quiet day in ‘The Day She Retur...

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Hong Sang-soo captures actor's quiet day in ‘The Day She Returns’

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By

Baek Byung-yeul

Published

Apr 29, 2026 4:31 pm

KST

A poster for director Hong Sang-soo's new movie "The Day She Returns" / Courtesy of Jeonwonsa Film, Contents Panda

The films of Hong Sang-soo often feel like a warm conversation with an old friend. His 34th feature, "The Day She Returns," is no different. While his work can sometimes feel complex or experimental, this latest project finds a peaceful rhythm in the everyday moments of a woman returning to her craft.

The story follows actor Bae Jeong-su (Song Sun-mi). After a long break from acting following her marriage and subsequent divorce, Bae takes on a role in a small independent film. The movie captures the protagonist during a day of interviews at a German restaurant in Hanam, outskirt of Seoul, to promote her return.

Shot in black and white, the film focuses on Bae as she gives three consecutive interviews with three young female journalists.

Although the setting remains the same, the energy of each conversation shifts. The actor tries her best to answer every question with honesty, yet she carefully protects her private life when the reporters ask about her divorce or her young daughter waiting at home.

As the interviews go on, the usual green soju bottles — a signature item in Hong’s works — are nowhere to be seen. Instead, the characters drink mugs of German beer.

The conversations flow easily, covering even the struggle of staying true to oneself. Bae says trying to find the hidden meaning behind everything only causes stress. Instead, she suggests that we find true peace when we simply accept things exactly as they are.

The film takes an interesting turn toward the end as it explores the gap between reality and memory.

After the long day of interviews, Bae is forced to look back on her words and actions. Here, the director shows the audience how fragile our memories can be. The movie suggests that we often rewrite our own life stories without even realizing it, leaving the audience to wonder which version of the actor's day was truly real.

"The Day She Returns" premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, marking the seventh year in a row that Hong has been invited to the prestigious event. As seen in Hong’s previous works, the movie relies on the steady performance of the lead actor and the director's signature long takes.

"The Day She Returns" is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 6.