Spa Night

Between neon-lit restaurants and flashy karaoke bars, David discovers tempting offers in the traditional Korean bathhouses of Los Angeles. The 18-year-old son of Korean immigrants, he is torn between his parents' expectations and the quiet awakening of his own identity. When his family falls on hard times, David takes a job at a traditional Korean men's spa. There he encounters a hidden world: secret encounters, fleeting glances, a quiet desire that both fascinates and unsettles him. The film accompanies David through a period of inner turmoil – torn between family duty and the urge to find himself. Without loud gestures or dramatic climaxes, the camera captures his quiet observations, his insecurities, and his cautious steps into an unknown world. The background noise of the spa – the splashing of water, muffled voices – becomes the soundtrack to his inner journey. With his debut film, the director succeeds in painting a sensitive portrait of a young man caught between two cultures and two worlds. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016, where it received the Special Jury Award for the outstanding performance of its lead actor. The following year, it was honored with the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards.