“Il Mare” is a good example of how our choices create reality.  This Korean movie portrays beautifully different potentials based on different levels of awareness of the main characters. The story is the following:

The present (1998) Sung-hyun (male) communicate with the future (2000) Eun-joo (female). Her future self is more aware than the present (1998) about what she really wants in life.

The present Eun-joo is in love with another man.  She chooses the potential to marry him.  Therefore there is no time and space to start something with Sung-hyun.  After she finds out that he has an affair while working abroad, she has a hard time.  But it is through this break-up experience that she opens up to Sung-hyun.  Her future self start communicating with his present self. They develop a deep friendship which could turn into a relationship if they both choose so.  Sung-hyun present self is clear about his choice, he wants to meet Eun-joo in the future.  They have a date one week ahead of Eun-joo future self. He does not show.

Eun-joo is disappointed. But she herself turns out to be the reason why he did not show.  After the appointment with Sung-hyun, she meets the other man again. She still clings to the old potential of them getting married.  A potential that once upon a time looked very promising but has no real future because of all that happened.  That’s why her future self asks Sung-hyun to interfere in the past and prevent the other man from leaving aboard.  After a big inner struggle, Sung-hyun respects her choice.  But while he tries to make the other man change his mind, he is hit by a car and dies.  That’s why he did not show up.

When Eun-joo finds out, this tragic experience opens up her awareness a little more. She clearly sees and chooses now the potential of a relationship with Sung-hyun. But is it to late?  Did she discover her deep love for him to late to make the relationship a reality?  Her future self hurries to let him know her feelings and she cancels her request to interfere in the past.

The movie ends with a changed reality. Sung-hyun did not try to interfere, he did not die and they finally meet face to face.

The movie is an artistic depiction of wisdom about day-to-day life. The reality we live in is indeed of our own choosing. Choices evolve because awareness expand. Awareness expands because experiences we go through.

Difficult experiences (broken heart, death of a loved one, …) are only “difficult” because it’s hard to let go. We cling to old believes and expectations because they are so comfortable and familiar.  Difficult experiences are in fact hidden blessings. They help us to open up.  They are telling us that the potentials we chose in the past, are not valid any longer.

Open up and be aware of all the other beautiful potentials out there. Potentials you never could imagine.  Potentials your future self will prefer better than the old ones.

So let’s open up!  Let’s evolve. Let’s create reality upon reality, more and more true to our deepest choosing. Let’s be free.

PS: Apart from the story, the movie is worthwhile to watch for the beautiful cinematography and skillful acting. It’s my first encounter with Korean cinema and it will definitely not be my last. Here is the trailer: