Waikiki Brothers is a Korean film directed by Yim Soon-rye and released in 2001. The movie follows the story of a struggling indie rock band, Waikiki Brothers, as they tour across South Korea and finally arrive at the lead singer's hometown. The band consists of four members - Sung-woo (Lee Eol), the lead singer and guitarist, Kang-su (Park Won-sang), the keyboardist, Ji-hoon (Jang Keun-suk), the drummer, and Young-man (Ahn Jae-mo), the saxophonist who quits the band in the beginning.
The film explores the themes of disappointment, lost love, unemployment, and tragedy through the lives of the band members. Sung-woo, the lead singer, is struggling to cope with his failed relationship with his ex-girlfriend, who left him for another man. He also faces the reality of his hometown, which was once a bustling hot spring resort in the '80s but has now turned into a sad and desolate place.
Kang-su, the keyboardist, is dealing with unemployment, and his wife's pregnancy, while Ji-hoon, the drummer, is struggling to come to terms with his father's terminal illness. They both find solace in music and form a bond with each other and Young-man, who they meet again after a long time.
The film is a poignant portrayal of the lives of struggling artists, their dreams, and the harsh reality of the world they inhabit. The music in the movie is an important aspect and provides an emotional anchor to the story. The cast delivers powerful performances, and the director's sensitive handling of the subject matter makes Waikiki Brothers a touching and memorable cinematic experience.