IU in "Persona"

- By LJE Film

The short film series "Persona" is an anthology produced by Netflix, consisting of four distinct episodes that are unrelated to each other. It is important to note that this is not a K-drama, as the episodes each have their own unique characters and aesthetics. Overall, the series is unique, well-produced, and carefully crafted to make the audience think and feel something. The deliberate intention of the series is evident, and it reminded the viewer of other similar works such as "Tale of Tales" (2015) or "Paris, je t'aime" (2006). The lead actress, IU, was a perfect fit for the series, and her performance as an actress was remarkable. It is hoped that she will have the opportunity to further showcase her acting abilities in future works. While the series may not have been universally appealing, the viewer's opinion on each episode varied. Some episodes were enjoyable, while others were not, and some moments were more impactful than others. As a result, it may be more appropriate to analyze each episode individually. In summary, "Persona" is a thought-provoking and emotionally-driven series that is worth exploring. Its anthology format allows for a range of diverse stories to be told, and the well-executed production and acting performances make it a standout work.

1 – LOVE SET

In this episode, the character IU demonstrates impressive tennis skills while playing third wheel to her father and his girlfriend's tennis day. However, when the girlfriend's loud grunts during play become unbearable, IU tries to seduce her with the help of a male acquaintance. The father's girlfriend, who also happens to be IU's English teacher and close to her age, proposes a match to IU, with high stakes: if she wins, the girlfriend will break up with IU's father, but if she loses,

IU must convince her father to end the relationship. The tennis match is depicted in a long, drawn-out sequence with slow-motion shots of the players' bodies, emphasizing their exhaustion and motivation. Throughout the match, IU repeatedly uses profanity and is ultimately defeated, winning zero games. In her moment of weakness, bleeding and out of breath, she begs the girlfriend not to marry her father, to which the girlfriend responds by giving her a tennis ball and promising not to marry him. The episode's title, "Love Set," has a double meaning, referring to both IU's score of zero points and the high stakes battle for the girlfriend's love and power in the dynamic between her and IU's father. The episode raises questions about the motivations behind the girlfriend's bet and whether she ever intended to marry IU's father.

2 – COLLECTOR

In this scene, we see a man, who is very uptight and nervous, talking to a much younger IU who has been missing for two weeks. When asked where she has been, IU responds that she went surfing and doing yoga with two foreign male friends on an island. The man is visibly upset and struggling to keep his emotions in check. As he listens to IU recount her adventures, he realizes that their relationship is one-sided and his subconscious doubts manifest as his ex-fiancée. IU gives the man a gift and asks him to open it later. He tries to impress her by proclaiming his love and respect for women, but she is uninterested and more focused on her phone.

When she goes to the bathroom, he finds her chatting intimately with a young man whom she dismisses as a friend. IU then tells the man that she wants to be free and eternal, and he tries to convince her to stay by confronting her about her behavior. In response, IU tears him down and challenges him to prove his love by taking out his heart and showing it to her. He does so, and she salts it and puts it in a jar with the names of other hearts she has collected. She whispers something to a weak-looking man nearby, who may be her next victim. The man then realizes that he has been trapped by IU all along, and she leaves him with the gift of his own subconscious.

It is unclear whether IU is a supernatural man-eater, but her behavior suggests that she is a manipulative and dangerous individual.

3 – KISS FIRE

It is to be noted that no chickens were harmed in the production of the current episode. However, "Kiss Fire" may not have left a lasting impression on its viewers, with its primary discussion revolving around a gender double standard highlighted by the characters. The plotline itself was rather uneventful, featuring a plan for revenge against the protagonist's father who had drunkenly cut her friend's hair.

Unfortunately, this plan inadvertently led to a forest fire, further complicating matters. It is worth noting the irony that the father in question was a forest fire lookout. Additionally, viewers may have found it surprising to see a character portrayed as smoking cigarettes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY9C4pSGcZY

The craziest part was IU smoking cigarettes??

4 – WALKING AT NIGHT

In this episode, IU and her partner take a walk under the night sky, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of "Temperature of Love." However, the plot takes a dark turn as IU tells a morbid story about her sister's death with her mouth open. Her partner is initially taken aback by the story's dark tone, but soon becomes overwhelmed with emotions and starts to cry uncontrollably. The twist, however, is revealed shortly after - they are in his dream. As they walk and talk, IU confesses that she committed suicide and wanted her partner to know that it wasn't his fault. Her partner is devastated and asks if he made her lonely, to which she responds that he was always there for her. The dreamland they are in is magical, with a black and white aesthetic and simple, haunting music. They visit places they had been to in life, and all other people in the dream are frozen. As IU and her partner walk, she reveals that sometimes you don't get to choose how you die. She had jumped from a high place and couldn't remember if she died with her mouth open or closed. She didn't want to die pathetically clinging to life like her sister did. Despite the beautiful dreamland, there is an overwhelming sense of sadness. IU tells her partner that they are there, but no one will remember them. Nothing remains but the night. This poignant episode pulls at the heartstrings, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer. The black and white aesthetic, haunting music, and the dreamlike setting create a magical yet somber atmosphere. The revelation of IU's suicide and her partner's emotional reaction to it evoke a deep sense of sorrow. The episode captures the idea that sometimes we don't get to choose how our story ends, but we can choose how we remember it.