Set in the late 1980s, this film is based on the director’s own experiences in the army. Nakman who has been stationed as a public service worker must wear many different hats ? a barber, photographer, go gamer, toilet scrubber and brig guard. The film lays out the details of his commute from home to base and back, his complicated family dynamics and the times which are even more complicated in a comic and touching fashion. The most interesting character is played by Oh Dal-soo, Nakman’s father, once a photographer who has literally lost his mind after being tortured. He initiates the narrative and also the passage point as well as the destination. Nakman’s mother abandons her family and moves to the U.S., unable to deal with her husand’s condition. And because of his family’s unique situation, Nakman gets the privilege to become a bona fide ‘Yookbang’, a 6pm-sharp-base-to-home commuter. Besides Oh Dal-soo, we have a cast of unknown actors such as Kim Jun-ku, Cho Jihwan, Moon Wonjoo, Jung Ye-jin rounding out the superb ensemble. The down-to-earth direction akin to <3PM Paradise Bath House> and the nostalgia towards the late former president Roh Moo-hyun are just some of the highlights in the film. (JEON Chanil)