Working title
Things Called Light (2027)
A psychological drama that closely follows the descent of a Korean-American aspiring actor known only as Man, as he faces gaslighting, cultural alienation, and identity erosion within the entertainment industry.
Logline
Driven by pure passion, a Korean-American aspiring actor known only as Man returns to South Korea, only to face the systematic erosion of his identity and complete psychological exhaustion under a charismatic yet tyrannical CEO.
Synopsis
Things Called Light is a psychological drama that closely follows the descent of Man, a Korean-American aspiring actor, as he enters the Korean entertainment industry and faces gaslighting, cultural alienation, identity erosion, and eventual psychological exhaustion.
Fueled by pure passion, Man returns to South Korea and signs a contract with a powerful management company following a compelling offer. But what awaits him is CEO who appears warm and charismatic on the surface, yet proves authoritarian and controlling beneath. Under the pretense of "training to become a true actor," Man's privacy is violated, his language and identity scrutinized, and his sense of self begins to dissolve.
CEO tightens control over every aspect of Man's life and relationships, all while cloaking his dominance in patriarchal rhetoric. Repeatedly told "you're not ready yet," Man begins to forget who he used to be.
As relationships sever and reality blurs, he is driven to the edge of his identity.
He is still among us,but no longer here.
Main Characters
MAN (MALE, 29) A Korean-American aspiring actor. Sensitive and intuitive, he navigates the world through emotion and instinct, which also leaves him vulnerable to harm and inner turmoil. He longs for genuine connection, but gradually loses himself within CEO's rigid, hierarchical systems.
CEO (MALE, 59) A patriarch who sees himself as an absolute figure. He oscillates between kindness and cruelty, expertly eroding the self-worth of those around him. Masking his control as "love" and "responsibility," he is a master of psychological manipulation and gaslighting.
Project Information
- Status
- Pre-Production (Shooting in August 2026)
- Runtime
- 25 Minutes (Short Film)
- Genre
- Psychological Drama
- Language
- Korean
Themes
POWER / IDENTITY / CONTROL / PSYCHOLOGICAL EROSION / HIERARCHY / CULTURAL DISPLACEMENT / MANIPULATION