The Pink Can

Left homeless after the Real-Name Financial System law, Hyung-rae begs on the streets of Seoul. Life in his neighborhood is never quiet, Hyung-rae is constantly surrounded by noise, from the daily bickering between construction worker Kwon and Young-shik’s parents, to the moans echoing from the room of Geum-ja, a bar worker. One day near Ewha Womans University, he retrieves a stolen bag for a student named Yoon-joo. Grateful, Yoon-joo drops coins into his tin can every single day. As her graduation approaches, Hyung-rae cleans himself up and buys a suit. He follows her to a grand mansion and realizes how wealthy she is. To prove his devotion, he secretly visits her house every morning at dawn to polish her family’s shoes and clean their yard. Touched by his pure love, Yoon-joo’s father approves of their marriage, leading to a romantic life together. However, it was all a dream. Hyung-rae wakes up disappointed on the street to the sound of a crushing tin can and lays down to die.

Director

Shim Hyung-rae

Released

January 7, 1994

Language

Korean