Emotional Loneliness and the Search for Meaning in A Man and a Woman (2016): A Psychological Analysis through Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy

This study examines emotional loneliness and the search for meaning in A Man and a Woman (2016), directed by Lee Yoon-ki, through the theoretical framework of Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy. The film portrays two married individuals burdened by emotional isolation, family responsibilities, and psychological distress, who develop a profound emotional connection while struggling to cope with the emptiness of their daily lives. By applying Frankl’s concept of the “will to meaning,” this research explores how the protagonists seek purpose, emotional fulfillment, and existential significance amid suffering and interpersonal disconnection. The study argues that their relationship functions not merely as a romantic attachment but as an attempt to transcend loneliness and reconstruct meaning in a life overshadowed by obligation and despair. Through textual and psychological analysis, the paper demonstrates that the film presents human connection as a crucial pathway toward existential understanding, highlighting the enduring relevance of Frankl’s theories in contemporary cinematic representations of emotional suffering and resilience. (Frankl 104–07, 121–35; Lee) Furthermore, the film illustrates how emotional loneliness can persist despite the presence of family relationships and social obligations. The protagonists experience a profound sense of existential emptiness that reflects Frankl’s notion of the “existential vacuum,” a condition characterized by a lack of meaning, purpose, and genuine emotional fulfillment. Their encounter in a foreign setting creates a temporary space in which they can confront their inner suffering and rediscover aspects of identity that have been suppressed by responsibility and routine. Rather than depicting loneliness solely as a personal crisis, the film presents it as a universal human experience that motivates the search for authentic connection and existential meaning. Through this perspective, A Man and a Woman emphasizes the psychological importance of hope, self-transcendence, and meaningful relationships in overcoming emotional despair and restoring a sense of purpose in life. (Frankl 110–12, 133–37, 138–45)

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Keywords: Emotional Loneliness ، Logotherapy ، Viktor Frankl ، Search for Meaning ، Korean Cinema