People and Meat
Woo-sik and Hyoung-jun are two elderly trash pickers, collecting cardboard for cash in the back alleys of Seoul. One day, a shared craving for beef and radish soup brings them to local vegetable seller Hwa-jin, whom they recruit to help cook their stolen meat. Each struggling to make ends meet, they reminisce over a shared love of Korean barbecue - a luxury they cannot afford. When Woo-sik proposes the radical idea that they should dine and dash, the trio embark on a mischievous adventure savouring delectable meals across the city. Together, they reflect on their lives, dreams, and regrets, finding joy and solace in their newfound friendship—and with it, a renewed passion for life.
Selected for the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, Yang Jong-hyun’s People and Meat is a cleverly crafted, tragicomic look at poverty and aging in South Korea. The film’s veteran cast bring this heartwarming story to life, portraying their characters with tender dignity, warmth, and humour.
