"Stateless Things" (2011) explores the lives of three marginalized characters, a North Korean defector, an ethnic Korean girl living in China, and a gay boy, who are living on the fringes of society. The characters are all struggling with a sense of displacement, loneliness and isolation. Joon, the North Korean defector, is depicted as a lost and aimless figure, wandering the streets of Seoul, searching for a sense of belonging in a society that does not fully accept him.
Similarly, the ethnic Korean girl living in China is also depicted as an outsider, struggling to find her place in a society that does not fully accept her. Ah-In, the gay boy, is portrayed as being trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation, with little hope of escape.
The film also deals with themes of poverty, isolation, and displacement, which contribute to the overall sense of sadness and hopelessness. The characters are depicted as being trapped in a cycle of poverty, with little hope of escape or upward mobility.
Furthermore, the fact that the three characters come together to commit suicide, but find meaning in their lives, also adds to the overall sense of sadness and hopelessness in the film. The idea that the characters see suicide as a viable option, and the fact that they ultimately find meaning in their lives, highlights the extent of their struggles and the hopelessness that they feel.
