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What does it truly mean to prepare for death? Is it merely a matter of arranging funeral details, or does it delve into a deeper contemplation of our existence?

The compelling new documentary “Breath” invites audiences to confront these profound and open-ended questions through the raw, unfiltered experiences of those who navigate the realm of mortality on a daily basis.

Directed by Jero Yun, the documentary film intimately follows the lives of three individuals — seasoned funeral director Yoo Jae-chul, trauma cleaner Kim Sae-byul and an older woman who manages her life collecting discarded papers and aluminum cans.

Their interwoven stories, told with raw honesty and deep sadness, make audiences think about life, death and the important connections we all share.

The funeral director Yoo, widely recognized as a presidential funeral director as he directed the funerals of six former presidents of Korea, has dedicated over 30 years of his life to accompanying the deceased on their final journey.

From renowned monks to unidentified individuals, he has witnessed a slew of ways in which life concludes. In "Breath," Yoo generously shares not only the complex ritual procedures for the deceased but also his own deeply personal journey, including a transformative near-death experience that profoundly reshaped his understanding of mortality.

Kim, the trauma cleaner who clears the remnants of those who died alone, provides a sobering glimpse into the lives of those who depart this world in loneliness. In the movie, he speaks candidly about the lingering presence, or heartbreaking absence, of family in the lives of the deceased and how his work has changed his perception of human relationships.

The elder woman diligently picking up recyclables in a bustling city symbolizes the fragility of life. But at the same time, she also represents the resilience of the human spirit as she keeps trying to struggle for survival, reminding the audience how precious each moment is.

Through these figures, this film shows us that death helps us understand life. It asks us to think about our own lives, to value how quickly things change, and to really appreciate every breath we take.

Director Yun brilliantly weaves these disparate narratives together to create a 72-minute documentary that resonates with life and death.

"After witnessing my mother's death from cancer in 2017, I was deeply moved to explore the subject of death. This led me to meet Yoo and Kim and the creation of this documentary. Seeing an older person collecting cardboard after my mother's funeral also struck a chord with me. I thought the idea that discarded items could sustain someone's life was profound. These experiences drove me to make this film,” the director said after a press preview on Thursday.

Yoo also said that witnessing numerous deaths had matured him.

"When I was young, I lived as I pleased. Then, in 1994, I became a funeral director. However, in 2015, while on the highway, a water deer jumped out, causing my car to overturn, and I was hospitalized for three weeks. That's when I realized that I could die as well,” Yoo said.

"After surviving that near-death experience, the world appeared different to me. I also saw my work in a new light, and since then, I believe I've treated my staff much better," he added with a smile.

Kim said he realized the importance of cherishing human relationships and living each day to its fullest potential through his job, adding preparing for death means preparing for the separation between people to him.

“If you were given a three-month terminal diagnosis, what would you do? You'd avoid conflicts with family, travel to beautiful places, and eat lots of delicious food, right? I live each day as if I've been given about a 30-year terminal diagnosis,” he said. “I believe that spending quality time with family and creating good memories is the true preparation for death."

By Baek Byung-yeul