North South Man Woman

dir. Morten Traavik, Sun Kim 2025 Norway, Latvia, South Korea 93 min.
2025 – Sheffield Doc Fest
A charismatic businesswoman runs a matchmaking agency in Seoul that connects North Korean refugee women with South Korean men.

Charismatic businesswoman and North Korean defector Yujin Han runs Lovestorya, a matchmaking agency in Seoul that connects North Korean refugee women with South Korean men. Over the course of five years, the film follows Yujin’s daily life, her interactions with clients, and the tensions that arise from cultural differences, stereotypes, and societal expectations on the politically divided Korean Peninsula. Blending observational footage, intimate interviews, and archival materials, the film offers a deeply personal look at human stories where private choices, family pressures, and social prejudices intersect with geopolitics. It captures the intricate interplay of love, identity, memory, history, and married life, providing a compelling reflection on the complexities of contemporary South Korea.

duration:
93 min
country / year of production:
Norway, Latvia, South Korea / 2025
director:
Morten Traavik, Sun Kim
cinematography:
Jānis Šēnbergs, Valdis Celmiņš
production:
Verona Meier Meier, Anna Krasztev-Kovács / Remont (Films), VFS Films, Mirrot &Story
editor:
Gatis Belogrudovs, Uģis Olte
selected festivals and awards:
2025 – Sheffield Doc Fest
tags:
relations