Hong Sangsoo’s 31st film, A Traveler’s Needs, true to its title, navigates through the non-verbal moments found in the steps of a traveler. Iris (Isabelle Huppert), who came from France, wanders around Seoul, teaching French. When she’s not teaching, she spends time in parks or hills, meeting various people. She enjoys walking barefoot on the ground, lying on rocks, and most of all, she loves makgeolli (Korean rice wine). Like Hong Sangsoo’s previous works, this film leaves certain moments open for interpretation, capturing resonant instances with calmness, much like the rhythm and cadence of poetry through repetition and variation. As you match your pace with Iris’ steps, curious about what a traveler truly needs, you’ll gradually find yourself realizing why the foreign perspectives and unfamiliar air that a traveler brings are essential to our lives. (SONG Kyung-won)