Hopelessly lost

Throughout the film, (in fact, right off the title) there is a play on the theme of being lost. The Aimless Bullet. Just like an accidentally discharged bullet that wonders off aimlessly, the characters in the film all seem to be lost. "Let's Go!" (or "Let's get out of here") They all want to go but they don't know to where or how. Yong-Ho and other veterans don't know what to do with their lives now that the war is over. They are looking for jobs without much success. Instead, they squander their time and money on alcohol as they complain about society that is too cruel for them. Myung-Sook seems lost (and devastated) when Kyeong-Shik avoids her and calls himself unworthy of her because the wound from war that crippled him. When she is unable to find employment as an actress, Myung-Sook ends up selling her body to American soldiers. Even Cheol-Ho, despite his stable job and diligence, confesses that he is lost when he finds out that his brother was caught trying to rob the bank and that his wife died while in delivery. He is lost in the midst of all the "duties" ("goo-shil") that he is entitled to. He says that he "knows not where to go" although he "should be going somewhere."

Although we are able to see that the characters in the film all feel lost, trying to make a living in a turbulent society, the characters all find themselves quite alone in their own problems. Not only are they all lost, they are all lonely. Kyeong-Shik is alone in dealing with his wounds and low self-regard. Cheol-Ho is alone in dealing with his pile of duties and persistent toothache. Yong-Ho is alone fighting against his "fate" in society, trying to break away from the "cage of conscience" that is haunting the family. Myung-Sook is abandoned by her lover, driven to military prostitution. Min-Ho is never taken care for as he sells newspapers on the streets. The poet, Seol-Hee, the grandma, the little child, Cheol-Ho's wife... they are all alone and they all feel abandoned in their problems.

Loneliness and being lost. Two of the most depressing thoughts put together and what do we have? A portrayal of the difficult times in Korean society in the years following the Korean war. However, the film doesn’t leave off on such despairing notes. Amongst these grim scenes, a slimmer of hope is suggested when we find out that the baby has survived. Looking at this baby, Myung-Sook mutters to herself that they must ensure that the baby be able to have a future where he can smile despite the grim realities that they themselves need to face.