′Waikiki Brothers′ is a four-piece band led by the main character, Sung-Woo. Once a hot band in Seoul, their fortunes change for the worse due to economic recession. Wandering about in search of work, one-member calls it quits. The remaining three members finally return to their hometown, Suanbo. But their hometown is not the paradise that it used to be. Sung-Woo′s mentor has turned into an alcoholic. His first love is now a widow. And old friends seem embittered by tough times. ′Are you happy that you′re doing what you want?′ asks one of his friends. But Sung-Woo is unable to answer. In many ways, Waikiki Brothers is reminiscent of the director′s debut effort, Three Friends. Both films are about the world of men seen through a woman′s perspective. And both films are about outsiders of this society. The still-camera once again stares at the characters from a distance. But the men of Waikiki Brothers cannot hate the world, like the boys in Three Friends. They have to accept their third-rate reality. And inevitably, their songs are tinged with sadness. (Han Sang-Jun)