Burning is one of those movies where you just have to "get it" to fully appreciate it. I don't "get it". What I do understand is that Burning is a beautiful story full of heart and pain with wonderful shot composition and a great performance from Steven Yeun. I feel like I'm missing at least half of the metaphors and symbolism and although I don't mind having to piece together a film afterwards, Burning is pushing it. With the acting, I have the same issue that I have with Train to Busan (another South Korean film), in that I can't exactly tell if I'm seeing bad acting or if that's just how South Koreans are. Yoo Ah-in usually has a vacant look on his face and although there are moments of brilliance, he's mostly just a blank slate saying lines in monotone. Jeon Jong-seo might be as much of an issue with the way her character is written. She plays Shin Hae-mi, who get very little characterization and randomly shoots from energetic story-telling to depression, both of which Jong-seo plays very exaggerated. She isn't even as much a character as a plot device to drag the other two mains along. I can recognize how unique the story is and masterful the directing is, but the plot is just too symbolic for me and the performances (other than Steven Yeun who is perfect) are lacking.