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DETOUR to be released this summer depicts the adventure of three friends who are in their late 30s, trying to get away from their quotidian life. Wandering Hwasun Geummorae Beach in Jeju Island, they struggle to hold on to their youth that is already withering. Like the name alludes (Geummorae means golden sand in Korean), it is a beach famous for golden sand.
 
Jeju Island also reminds us of Like You Know It All (2009) by HONG Sang-soo. HONG’s works travel through famous tourist attractions in Korea including Tongyeong, Jeju and Chuncheon, but he also loves the West Sea, which is rarely seen in other filmmakers’ works. The water in the West Sea looks rather unclear due to the mud on the beach, which makes it less popular for filmmaking than the East Sea where the water is deep and clean, with white sand beach.

However, the West Sea in HONG’s films is often the setting for secretive romance and desire. In Woman On The Beach (2006), HONG walked across Sinduri Beach, and chose Mohang Beach for In Another Country (2012). They are all quiet and humble beaches that are suitable for family trips.

However, if you want to meet the deep blue sea, you are to go to the East and South Sea. In Lost In The South Mission: Going Home (2003), set in various places by the East Sea, the most outstanding location is Mangsang Beach, one of the hottest beaches in Korea. Geoje Island, which has recently become popular for the past few years after Jeju, is also famous for its blue sea. Gujora Beach in Geoje is also home to the great song ‘Tying Clam Shells’ from C’est Si Bon (2015).

Last but not the least, another beach for us to visit is Haeundae Beach. At this beach, whose name is almost equivalent to summer vacation itself, three youths in Three Summer Night (2015) spend days of trouble and escape. With no doubt, Haeundae is the ultimate place for Korean youths to enjoy hot summer.