What Does That Nature Say to You (original title: Geu jayeoni nege mworago hani; original title in Korean: 그 소리이 네게 뭐라게 하니) is a 2025 South Korean romantic comedy film directed by Hong Sang-soo from a screenplay by Hong Sang-soo. The film is set to be released in South Korea on May 14, 2025.
What Does That Nature Say to You is a South Korean drama film written, directed, produced, and shot by cult auteur Hong Sang-soo—one of the most prolific and influential independent directors of contemporary cinema. The film was part of the official competition program of the 75th Berlinale and subsequently screened at numerous international festivals, including the Sydney Film Festival, Karlovy Vary, and the New York Film Festival.
The story introduces us to Donghwa, a young poet in his early thirties who lives by his own ideals of life, art, and independence. He drives his girlfriend Junhee to her parents' house on the outskirts of Seoul, planning a short visit. But fate has other plans: Donghwa runs into her father in the yard, who invites him to stay and spend the day with the entire family — father, mother (also a poet), and her younger sister.
At first, everything seems calm, pleasant, and traditional—talking, eating, a leisurely stroll around the property, visiting a Buddhist temple by the river, and sharing drinks. But as the day progresses, the superficial pleasantries begin to crack. Donghwa indulges in more alcohol, the conversations become more heated, and hidden social and personal differences come to the surface. These relationships, which seemed seemingly harmonious, reveal social, economic, and emotional tensions among the characters, which gradually change the dynamics of the encounter.
The film does not rely on dramatic twists or eventful climaxes; instead, it traces a one-day, intimate portrait of human connections, showing how an unpretentious gathering can reveal deep inner conflicts.
Hong Sang-soo’s style is unforgettable—minimal, conversational, and singularly attentive to human nuance. The camera is often positioned at unusual angles and uses soft, almost informal frames that evoke a visual meditation on detail. The director favors long lines of dialogue, long takes, and unassuming scenes that gradually reveal the weight of social expectations and personal insecurities. This awkward, almost „natural” form of storytelling is typical of Hong and is an extension of his research on human interactions, humor, and quiet irony. The director’s use of food, drink, and casual conversation as vehicles for character development is a hallmark of the film.
The film relies on an ensemble of actors who bring a natural and unobtrusive character to their roles — not so much through strong emotional outbursts as through subtle shifts in tone, gaze, or gesture:
Ha Seong-guk as Ha Donghwa, a young poet whose reaction to meeting Junhee's parents evolves from politeness to genuine vulnerability.
Kwon Hae-hyo as Kim Oryeong—Junhee's father, a man with his own sense of dignity and observant acumen.
Cho Yun-hee like Choi Sunhee—the mother, a poet who adds another layer of intellectual complexity to the conversations.
Kang So-yi as Kim Junhee — the girlfriend whose relationship with Donghwa questions family and personal expectations.
Mi-so Park as Kim Nunghee—the younger sister who observes the dynamics with delicate distance and quiet curiosity.
Their performances are nuanced and often below the surface, which is typical of the director's style — less acting "explosion" and more small, meaningful moments of mutual revelation.
What Does That Nature Say to You is a film that doesn't care about quick plot twists or clear-cut messages. Instead, it delves into an almost poetic exploration of human relationships, social expectations, and personal insecurities, through an unpretentious day spent in the company of new acquaintances. Combining minimalist storytelling, delicate direction, and natural performances, this is a thoughtful and surprisingly moving family drama that leaves its mark long after the end credits.
