"The beauty of digital cinema lies with its ability to bring out the natural acting from the actors who become less camera conscious. It′s an effective way to embody realism, much more effective than analog cinema." Tears is a digital movie seeking the sort of realism the director describes. The place for such realism is Garibong-dong, a hangout for runaways and/or neglected teens unable to cope with their school lives. These condemned heroes living in exile are four kids, Chang, Han, Ran and Sary. Although rebellious and violent in nature, they also seek affection and dream of happiness even living within harsh reality. But can their dreams be seen really as being ′hopeful′ within such despair and void? Their dreams of escape are shattered as they make their way back to Garibong-Dong. Im Sang-Soo sought the memories of Garibong-Dong kids he got acquainted with while preparing his debut film, writing the screenplay while spending the past year living among them. Even with his brutal disclosing of their images, as glue sniffing foul-mouths that engage in casual sex, the director′s tender notions are seen throughout. That begins with naming this feature Tears, a film about kids who refuse to cry. (Han Sang-Jun)