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Back to list The World Before (aka First Step)

Director’s Profile

Yoon Dan-bi directed short film, Fireworks (2015), which screened at Daegu Independent Short Film Festival 2015 and the Korea Youth Film Festival 2015. Later, she directed her first feature film, Moving On (2019), which won multiple awards, including four at Busan International Film Festival 2019—NETPAC Award, KTH Award, DGK Award, and Citizen Critics’ Award. The film also won the New Choice Award at Seoul Independent Film Festival 2019, the Bright Future Award at International Film Festival Rotterdam 2020, and many other awards at various film festivals.

Synopsis

Jin, a seventeen-year-old girl, lives on a small, remote island far from the mainland. She and Dujae, also a seventeen-year-old boy, grew up together like brother and sister, going to the same school, which serves as an elementary, middle, and high school.
Their lives seem monotonous, yet they start to develop unfamiliar feelings for each other. Their feelings gradually grow, and they hope that the other feels the same way but are too embarrassed to express themselves. The tension builds between them.
One day, her homeroom teacher, Dongsik, suggests that Jin compete in a 200-meter running race at an athletic competition taking place on the mainland. Dujae also volunteers, as a male competitor, confidently boasting about his speed.
Jin and Dujae find it hard to control their impulses in a place where everything is different from their lives on the island. They realize their feelings for each other during an awkward conversation. Fully giving in to their emotions, Jin and Dujae make love for the first time.
On returning to the island, where nothing at all has changed, their relationship reverts to the way it was before—like brother and sister.
As the seasons change, everything seems strange and new.

Achievements

2026 Busan International Film Festival
2026 Toronto International Film Festival - In Competition
2026 San Sebastian International Film Festival - In Competition

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