Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon (1959)
A haunting 1959 South Korean melodrama about love, war, and the painful consequences of moving on too soon.
Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon - Movie Information
- Original Title: 비오는 날의 오후3시
- Release Year: 1959
- Directed by: Park Jong-ho
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 25, 1959 (South Korea)
- Alternative Titles: Three o'clock P.M. in a rainy day (KR)
- Production Companies: Dae Han Promotion
- Production Countries: South Korea
Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon - Plot
Upon hearing that her fiance has been killed in battle, a woman makes her way to the Park Pagoda to seek comfort from the monument. There she becomes acquainted with Henry Jang, a Korean-American whom she eventually marries. There is no happy ending for the two, however, because her fiance shows up alive and well, but bitter over his lover's fickle nature.
Where to Watch Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon
Looking for where to watch Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Park Jong-ho
Main Cast
- Kim Ji-mi
- Choi Mu-ryong
- Choi Ji-hee
- Nam Yang-il
- Lee Bin-hwa
- Kim Dong-won
- Hwang Jeong-sun
- Bok Hye-suk
- Kim Chil-seong
- Jang In-hye
Writers
- Park Jong-ho
Producers
- O Seok-jo
- Lee Min
Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon - FAQs
What is Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon about?
The film follows a woman who, believing her fiancé died in the Korean War, seeks solace at a pagoda and falls for Henry Jang, a Korean-American man she eventually marries. When her fiancé turns up alive and bitter, the story takes a poignant, bittersweet turn with no easy resolution.
Does Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon have a happy ending?
No — the film deliberately withholds a happy ending. When the woman's fiancé returns alive, he's consumed by bitterness over her remarriage, leaving all three characters caught in an emotionally unresolved triangle. It's a melancholy portrait of love disrupted by war and circumstance.
Is the Korean War central to the film's story?
Absolutely. The Korean War (1950–53) is the catalyst for everything — the woman's grief, her hasty remarriage, and her fiancé's bitter return all flow directly from the war's aftermath. The film uses the conflict as a backdrop to explore how violence and loss reshape personal lives and love.
Where can you watch Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon?
Streaming availability for this 1959 South Korean classic can be tricky to track down. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which aggregates viewing options across platforms and regions, making it easier to find where the film might be available for streaming or rental near you.
Who are the main actors in this film?
The cast is led by Kim Ji-mi and Choi Mu-ryong, two prominent figures in South Korean cinema of the era. They're joined by Choi Ji-hee, Nam Yang-il, Lee Bin-hwa, and Kim Dong-won, among others, in a story built around romantic tension and emotional conflict.
Who directed Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon?
Park Jong-ho directed the film and also wrote the screenplay. His dual role as writer-director gives the story a unified, personal vision — a quality that shines through in the film's emotionally layered treatment of love, loss, and the complicated aftermath of war.
Is Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon based on a true story?
The film is not based on a specific documented true story, but its emotional core is deeply rooted in the real social upheaval of post-Korean War South Korea. The scenario of soldiers presumed dead returning home to find their lives transformed was a genuine and widespread tragedy of that era.
What makes this film significant in Korean cinema history?
Released in 1959, the film belongs to a golden period of South Korean cinema that emerged in the late 1950s. It reflects the emotional and social wounds left by the Korean War, blending melodrama with cultural introspection at a time when Korean filmmakers were developing a distinctive national cinematic voice.
More About Three O'Clock on a Rainy Afternoon
Explore further details about this film on these trusted databases.