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An Affair

Name: An Affair
Director: E J-yong
Released: 1998
Duration: 108 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

1998

Director

E J-yong

Runtime

108 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

An Affair is a sophisticated exploration of late-90s South Korean social hierarchies. It emphasizes individual emotional landscapes over traditional moral structures, making it a significant work of New Korean Cinema. The film excels in its nuanced portrayal of women's ability to drive the story and its critique of domestic stagnation. However, it remains strictly focused on heterosexual relationships and a culturally homogeneous setting.

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Category Breakdown

Does An Affair have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses solely on heterosexual relationships and does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-binary gender identities.

How does An Affair portray gender?

Good

Seo-hyun is shown as an individual navigating an emotional void rather than a submissive housewife. The film centers her psychological growth over societal roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is An Affair?

Fair

The film features a culturally homogeneous South Korean cast, emphasizing the unique social customs and class dynamics specific to Korea.

How does An Affair represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story challenges traditional Confucian values by presenting infidelity as a search for personal truth. It questions the stability of the nuclear family.

Does An Affair include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not prominently feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Offers a nuanced critique of traditional gender roles through a strong female protagonist.
Provides deep cultural authenticity regarding Korean social customs and middle-class dynamics.
Challenges traditional Confucian values by prioritizing personal emotional fulfillment.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ characters or non-binary gender identities.
Maintains a culturally homogeneous cast with no racial or ethnic diversity.
Does not feature any prominent depictions of disability.

Official Synopsis

Seo-hyun is an ordinary housewife in her late thirties with a ten-year-old son and a successful architect husband. For her, life is a series of banal routines. Her sheltered life is suddenly threatened with the appearance of Woo-in, her much younger sister's attractive new fiancé.

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