SPA NIGHT

US, 2016, 93 minutes, Colour.

Joey Seo, Haerry Kim, Tae Song.

Directed by Andrew Ahn

Spa Night it is a drama set in Los Angeles, within the Korean community, as well is in the wider city. It introduces us to a traditional family, seen at a family spa, washing. The film sketches the character of the mother and father, background traditions, interpreting them within an American context, the concern about their son, the father working hard to raise money for his son to go to college, the strong-minded mother concerned about her son’s future.

The film focuses on the son, played by actor Joey Seo, a teenager, feeling the strictures of the family traditions and his responsibility towards his parents, not committed to education as his parents hope, having interviews with the education head, accepting to study with the friend of the family is sung, but the sun leading a rather carefree and open life. While the teenager is caught up in this, he wants more.

The film is rather more subtle in its presentation of the teenager, his coming of age, his growing awareness of his sexual orientation but highly closeted.

In the chance visit to a spa, with the visuals of male nudity indicating his response, he applies for a job at the spa and is accepted. The manager of the spa is very strict, forbidding any sexual behaviour, wanting it reported.

However, there is activity, and the young man is prurient, looks, is somewhat repelled, talks to the manager – but, eventually, succumbs to the atmosphere, nudity and sexuality, and becomes involved with customers.

The story then is left to the audience to evaluate, wonder about the central character, his decisions, coming out, behaviour, his future.