The Youth

The Youth is a Korean omnibus film that boldly captures the trials, emotions, and rebellion of modern youth through four distinctive short stories. Each segment dives into the turbulent lives of young adults grappling with fear, love, societal pressure, and identity in a rapidly changing world. With powerful storytelling and fresh perspectives, the film becomes a mirror to the emotions and struggles of today’s youth. In “The Rumor,” Lee Dong Hae plays Jung Woo, a student whose life spirals when damaging gossip spreads through his high school. The story explores how rumors can destroy reputations and push teens to the edge. Kim Woo Rin as Hye Ri, and Kim Ye Eun in a supporting role, bring further tension to this intense portrayal of peer cruelty and judgment. “Wonderwall” follows Jong Gu (Kim Tae Hyeong), Man Jae (Jung Hae In), and Seung Ha (Nam Ji Hyun) as they confront loss, loneliness, and disillusionment. This emotional chapter offers a raw look at the isolation young people feel when dreams fade and friendships are tested. Meanwhile, “Play Girl” introduces Go Eun (Seo Eun Ah) and Yeon Joo (Park So Dam), two rebellious teens who challenge societal expectations with a fierce, unfiltered lens on female youth. Finally, “Enemies All Around” centers on Lee Kyo Soo (Song Seung Hyun), a college professor entangled in a dark web of betrayal and manipulation. With each story, The Youth touches on relatable themes like school violence, self-discovery, friendship, rebellion, and youth anxiety. Featuring a talented cast including Choi Young Sung, Chani, and Um Hyo Sup, the film delivers a poignant, multifaceted view of what it means to come of age in a chaotic world.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 더 유스
🌎 Also Known As: Deo Yuseu, Youth
🎭 Genres: Drama, Youth, School, Psychological
🏷 Tags: Omnibus, High School, Rebellion, Teenage Angst, Friendship, Rumor, Coming of Age
✍ Screenwriters: Multiple (based on each segment)
🎬 Directors: Lee Sang Hun, Baek Seung Bin, Kim Tae Yong, Park Ga Hee
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Release Date: November 13, 2014
📺 Original Network: Theatrical Release
⏰ Duration: 94 minutes
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older

Best Scenes

In The Rumor, the brutal hallway confrontation involving Jung Woo (Lee Dong Hae) captures the emotional weight of school bullying.
Wonderwall features a moving moment when Man Jae (Jung Hae In) and Seung Ha (Nam Ji Hyun) share their regrets in an empty classroom.
The rebellious rooftop scene in Play Girl where Go Eun (Seo Eun Ah) and Yeon Joo (Park So Dam) question gender roles is unforgettable.
A haunting dream sequence in Enemies All Around, with Lee Kyo Soo (Song Seung Hyun) confronting his inner fears, adds a psychological twist.
The final collective montage tying the four stories together reinforces the emotional highs and lows of youth with striking imagery.

Filming Locations

Shot primarily in urban South Korean schools, giving a gritty, realistic tone to the film.
Wonderwall includes alley and café scenes that reflect solitude and emotional distance in youth relationships.
Play Girl uses narrow city streets and rooftops to amplify the girls’ defiance against societal norms.
Classroom and hallway scenes were filmed on-location to enhance authenticity in The Rumor.
Dorm rooms and university lecture halls in Enemies All Around reflect academic pressure and internal crisis.

Visual Design and Costumes

Each segment uses a distinct color palette: Wonderwall in cold blues, Play Girl in rebellious reds, The Rumor in greyscale tension.
Students wear traditional Korean school uniforms to root the film in cultural and generational identity.
Casual costumes in emotional flashback scenes reflect the characters’ vulnerability.
Minimalist set design in Enemies All Around allows psychological elements to dominate.
Lighting is symbolic: dim in moments of depression, harsh in scenes of confrontation and exposure.

Themes and Messages

Youth alienation and identity crisis are explored through characters battling societal and personal expectations.
The impact of gossip and rumors is central in The Rumor, illustrating how words can destroy lives.
Play Girl critiques gender expectations and celebrates female empowerment in a conservative environment.
Wonderwall delves into emotional abandonment, showing how young people internalize trauma.
The collection as a whole reflects on loss, rebellion, mental health, and the longing for acceptance.

Interesting Facts

The Youth features rising stars like Jung Hae In, Nam Ji Hyun, and Park So Dam before they became household names.
Each short was directed by a different director, offering diverse narrative styles and tones.
The film was screened at indie festivals in Korea and appreciated for its bold take on adolescent issues.
Lee Dong Hae of Super Junior took a rare dramatic role, surprising fans with his intense performance.
Despite being low-budget, the film became a cult favorite among Korean drama and youth film enthusiasts.

Awards

The 2014 Korean omnibus film The Youth (레디액션 청춘) was screened in the Korean Competition section at the 15th Jeonju International Film Festival, held from May 1 to May 10, 2014.

Beyond this festival screening, there is no publicly available information indicating that The Youth received any major domestic or international awards. The film is recognized for its unique structure, comprising four distinct segments—The Rumor, Wonderwall, Enemies All Around, and Play Girl—each exploring themes of youth, identity, and societal pressures. Notably, the film features early performances by actors such as Jung Hae In, Nam Ji Hyun, and Park So Dam, who have since gained prominence in the Korean entertainment industry.

Real-Life Loves on Set

There are no confirmed reports of real-life romantic relationships that developed among the cast members of the Korean omnibus film The Youth (2014). While the film features emotionally charged performances and believable on-screen chemistry—particularly among actors like Jung Hae In, Nam Ji Hyun, Lee Dong Hae, and Park So Dam—there is no official evidence or credible news suggesting that any of the actors were romantically involved off-screen during or after filming.