Nalsum

Nalsum, meaning exhalation in Korean, is a poetic, hand-drawn independent animated short film that explores the intimate physiological and psychological dimensions of human breathing. Utilizing fluid, charcoal-textured strokes and minimalist watercolor washes, the film visualizes the invisible currents of air that enter and depart the human body during moments of intense emotional turmoil, physical exertion, and quiet meditation. Following a solitary protagonist navigating suffocating metropolitan spaces and internal anxiety, the animation charts the ebb and flow of respiration, translating inner psychological tension into evocative visual waves that ripple across the screen.