A secret affair exposed by a promotion and a polaroid
In short: In 1969, a war hero haunted by Vietnam's ghosts finds an unexpected lifeline in a forbidden romance. Set against the rigid surveillance of a military base, this South Korean drama explores how deep-seated trauma and clandestine passion can lead to a devastating public collapse.
Set in 1969, 'Obsessed' (Inganjungdok) follows Colonel Kim Jin-pyong, a war hero suffering from post-traumatic disorder. While facing promotion to General, he is plagued by nightmares of fallen soldiers and a cooling affection for his wife, Lee Sook-jin. His life shifts when Captain Kyung Woo-jin moves in next door with his wife, Ga-heun. Upon meeting her, Jin-pyong experiences an unfamiliar, overwhelming love that disrupts his disciplined military existence.
The relationship deepens after Jin-pyong saves Ga-heun from a violent PTSD attack at an army hospital, where she is shot and hospitalized. Despite the risks of their clandestine meetings, they share memories until Ga-heun's guilt over her mother-in-law—who raised her as her own child—forces her to end the affair. Jin-pyong’s obsession turns into a 'living hell,' leading him to attempt to sabotage his neighbor and eventually face a public breakdown during his promotion party.
The film reaches its climax when Jin-pyong's outburst exposes their secret to the entire army, resulting in his reassignment to Vietnam. Two years later, it is revealed that he died on the battlefield while guiding special forces. The narrative concludes with Ga-heun receiving a polaroid of them ballroom dancing—a relic of their brief, intense connection—bearing the words 'My Love.'
The film achieved significant commercial success despite marketing restrictions following the MV Sewol incident. The film reached the top spot of domestic charts during May 14, 2014, attracting more than 445,000 viewers and generating roughly ₩3.7 billion (US$3.6 million) throughout its initial seven days.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Obsessed (2014 film)
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