An independent Korean film exploring the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and North Korean defector experiences is quietly gaining success at movie theaters across South Korea. Director Park Jun-ho's debut feature film "3670" has attracted more than 7,500 viewers since its theatrical release on September 3, following its impressive showing at the Jeonju International Film Festival in May where it won four awards.
The film is expected to easily surpass the 10,000 viewer milestone, which is considered a significant achievement for independent cinema in Korea. Its unique focus on both queer themes and the challenges faced by North Korean defectors has drawn considerable attention from critics and the gay community alike. Acclaimed filmmaker Leesong Hee-il, who is known for his own series of queer films, praised "3670" as "the most vivid depiction yet of Korea's gay community" and suggested it could become another classic of Korean queer cinema.
The title "3670" originates from slang commonly used within gay social circles in Korea, serving as shorthand for "meet at Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 6 at 7 p.m.," with the final digit indicating the number of people expected to gather. This coded language reflects the discreet nature of gay meetups in Korean society and sets the stage for the film's exploration of community and belonging.
The story follows Cheol-jun, played by actor Cho You-hyun, a North Korean defector who desperately wants to find his place within Seoul's gay community but struggles with hesitation and uncertainty. Despite having settled in South Korea seven years after fleeing North Korea, Cheol-jun still feels like an outsider in his new homeland. His journey into the queer community begins when a casual encounter leads to an invitation to a drinking flash meetup, opening up a completely new world beyond his existing circle of North Korean friends.
While juggling preparation for college entrance exams and working part-time at a convenience store, Cheol-jun gradually becomes closer to Young-jun, portrayed by Kim Hyun-mok, whom he meets at one of these gatherings. As he slowly adapts to gay social life, he begins frequenting popular LGBTQ+ venues including clubs in Itaewon and bars in the Jongno district. However, complications arise when Cheol-jun develops romantic feelings for another man named Hyun-taek, played by Cho Dae-hee. This romantic triangle creates rising tensions with Young-jun, ultimately causing their friendship to deteriorate.
Despite opening with an intimate bedroom scene, "3670" deliberately emphasizes the emotional dynamics and relationships between its characters rather than focusing on typical identity struggles or social discrimination that are common themes in queer cinema. Instead, the film explores universal human feelings that transcend sexual orientation: the excitement and anxiety of entering an unfamiliar community, the fear of being excluded or rejected, and the complex yet subtle shifts in group social hierarchies.
This careful balance between universal themes and specific cultural experiences has earned the film widespread critical praise. The movie effectively highlights the layered marginalization experienced by individuals who are both queer and North Korean defectors, while simultaneously portraying the distinctive and often hidden culture of Seoul's gay community. The film presents a nuanced view of how multiple minority identities can intersect and compound the challenges of finding acceptance and belonging.
Director Park Jun-ho drew inspiration from his own volunteer work with North Korean defectors when he first wrote a short script titled "Cheol-jun," which he later expanded into a full-length feature film. Speaking after a screening, Park explained his creative vision: "I wanted to go beyond identity conflicts or social confrontation to make a new kind of queer film, one where the community itself is the protagonist." He noted that both the gay community and North Korean defectors share the necessity of masking their true identities in certain situations, which significantly shaped the film's perspective and narrative approach.
Park further elaborated on his goals for the film, stating, "I wanted to show the unique culture of Korea's gay community, such as flash meetups and age cohorts, and to portray defectors not as people defined by the past but as individuals defined by the present and future." This forward-looking approach represents a departure from many films about North Korean defectors, which often focus primarily on their traumatic pasts rather than their ongoing efforts to build new lives and identities in South Korea.
