‘FAQ’: A Whimsical Korean Fantasy on Curiosity and Learning

In the charming Korean fantasy film FAQ, we follow Dong-chun, a young girl whose insatiable curiosity leads her to an enchanted bottle of makgeolli on a school trip. This bottle seems to communicate with her, offering insights into the world she is so eager to understand. The premise of the film is light-hearted, but the interactions with the magical rice wine reveal deeper themes about the nature of learning, the intense pressure to excel academically, and the real value of education.

Dong-chun, portrayed by Park Na-eun, has been a questioner since her early childhood, discovering early on that adults don’t always have the answers. This imaginative 11-year-old’s quest for knowledge is relentless, even though her days are filled with school, additional classes, and late-night study sessions. She juggles numerous after-school study groups, some even on weekends, driven by her mother’s belief in the necessity of rigorous education for future success.

Park Hyo-joo, who plays Dong-chun’s mother, is adamant that the long hours of study will eventually pay off with a spot in a prestigious university and a stable job in a reputable corporation. In contrast, Dong-chun’s uncle, played by Kim Hee-won, represents a cautionary tale; he left a lucrative job to lead a more unconventional lifestyle, and her mother’s own extensive education did not prevent her from leaving the workforce to focus on Dong-chun’s upbringing. Despite these mixed outcomes, Dong-chun’s mother remains devoted to securing her daughter’s academic success, even exploring less conventional subjects like Farsi to boost her university applications. This decision leads to unexpected benefits, but not in the way one might expect.

Amidst the academic pressures, Dong-chun often feels isolated and overwhelmed. She escapes into a world of imagination where whimsical, fuzzy creatures provide comfort and advice. During a class trip, she stumbles upon a talking bottle of makgeolli that becomes her confidant. The film portrays Dong-chun’s endearing relationship with the bottle, which she uses not for drinking but as a source of solace and guidance. Her fascination with the microbiology behind fermentation becomes a metaphor for the search for answers to life’s big questions, as her teacher points out that the microbes within us might hold some of those answers.

Park Na-eun delivers a captivating performance as Dong-chun, making her portrayal of the character’s interactions with the magical bottle both believable and engaging. The film’s vibrant visual style, with its bright, elementary school-inspired colors and simple, clean sets, effectively immerses viewers in Dong-chun’s world. The narrative unfolds with a bubbly, effervescent quality, much like fermenting makgeolli, as Dong-chun embarks on various adventures and missions, leading to a conclusion that is both enchanting and mysterious.

FAQ premiered in Korea in February 2024 and won the Aurora Media Award at the Busan International Film Festival, which honors emerging filmmakers. Directed by Kim Da-min, known for the 2014 short film Surface, the film features a strong cast including Park Hyo-joo, seen in dramas such as I Need Romance 3, Now We Are Breaking Up, and Dr. Romantic 2, and Kim Hee-won, who appears in the drama Behind Your Touch and the upcoming film Project Silence.

The film will be showcased as part of the New York Asian Film Festival on July 13 at 1 pm at the Walter Reade Theater, Film at Lincoln Center. The screening will include an introduction and a Q&A session with director Kim Da-min and producer Lee Anna. The festival is co-presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center.