South Korean animation has taken significant steps forward in recent years, particularly in terms of context, with works like “Beauty Water” and “The Senior Class” being among the first that come to mind. In his debut, Kim Bo-sol delivers an equally rich, context-driven narrative, channeling two of Korea’s favorite storytelling elements: North Korea and melodrama.

Square is screening in Far East FIlm Festival

Isak Borg is a Swedish diplomat working at the embassy in Pyongyang. He enjoys a relatively comfortable life, especially when compared to the locals—he has his own apartment and is never short on money. However, due to the country’s restrictive policies, a guard is permanently stationed at the entrance of his building, clearly monitoring his comings and goings. Although quite lonely, Borg has managed to form a relationship with Seo Bok-joo, a local traffic officer. Their meetings are secret, almost clandestine, yet their relationship...