The World of Love director Yoon Ga-eun returned to Hong Kong after six years. In the post-screening talk, she delved into the core of the film with audience. In the film, students launch a petition opposing the imminent release of a rapist back into the community, triggering profound upheaval in the world surrounding the young girl Joo-in. As her seemingly ordinary teenage life unfolds, the audience's hearts are quietly stirred. The director emphasised that the film focuses on the human spirit's resilience in everyday life – the resolve to carry on, even while bearing the weight of pain.
Audience admired the film's depiction of trauma, and found the themes of love and forgiveness profoundly empowering. One noted that most actors are non-professional actors, but all delivered extremely natural performances. Yoon explained that the crew saved plenty of time for the lead actress to interact with other actors, initiating practises on their own. They were all affected by the overall atmosphere, delivering natural performances. She delegated greater freedom of expressions to the actors, allowing them to breathe life to the characters with their own experiences.
Speaking of the brother who loves playing magic, Yoon shared that in face of the family's predicament, it might not be that easy for the little brother to lend a helping hand. Perhaps he sought to alter their circumstances through fantastical means. As the family's attention is entirely focused on his sister, the boy attempts to capture their interest through dazzling magic performances. This not only delves into the intricate details of the character's inner world but also highlights the emotional dynamics and tensions between the family members.
When asked why the female protagonist dislikes apples, the director revealed she never intended any specific meaning behind it, preferring to leave interpretation to the audience. One audience member noted that in Korean, the words for 'apple' and 'apology' share the same pronunciation, wondering if this was intentional. The director chuckled, stating this double entendre was a fresh perspective. The creative team deliberately chose to make the protagonist dislike this ordinary fruit precisely because seemingly mundane things can become emotional triggers. This choice aimed to highlight that everyone possesses an unseen side.
In the film, different objects also embody different meanings, videos, letters, paper notes, etc. Yoon explained that she aimed to portray the different appearances of the female protagonist in the eyes of different people through multiple perspectives.
One asked about the symbolic meaning of the main character cleaning for others, Yoon noted that cleaning is an act of seeking control, soothing oneself. Tidying household allows each helpless character to gain back their agency. Yoon also joked that cleaning is her personal hobby.
