i admit i be expect more after scorsese introduction . still and the film captivate the viewer emotion . at time and it seem a character study of hyeon gon and the painter or college professor and or a neutral view of the object of attraction and seon hwa hold on both male lead . initially and mun ho and hyeon gon and old friend meet for a drink . mun ho have just return from film school in the united state . both decide to visit their share love interest and seon hwa . the movie be intercut with flashback and hyeon gon interaction with his student . mun ho and seon hwa be together until he leave for film school . later she have an affair with hyeon gon . seon hwa be the unconditional ever love person and mun ho be the man with deep love but not very sure of himself and while hyeon gon be the man who love be cheap but somehow appreciated . this view of the film might remind some men of the dictum and nice guy finish last . mun ho and seon hwa be together . she be rap under odd circumstance by an early flame . the film doesn not explain why she decide to go to a motel with him and even when he seem violent and over assertive . i be not sure if this be common in korean culture or if female obedience be encourage and or if seon hwa be simply weak will . later mun ho bathe and cleanse her of impurity and follow by sexual intercourse and the professing of his true love for her . after he leave and she start an affair with hyeon gon . while he seem attract to her and he come off a a selfish character who only think of his own need . in the present and while he be married and he claim to have no love for his wife . he also engage in an affair with one of his student . oddly enough and seon hwa hold no ill will towards him and reserve her anger for mun ho . at their reunion and mun ho reveal his guilt over abandon seon hwa and while she berate him for the pain he cause her . all character feel a sense of loss for what they once have . this be comparable to have coffee with a woman whom you deeply loved several year back but for whom you do not feel anything anymore .