My Love, Don't Cross That River documents the daily lives of an elderly Korean couple who were married for 76 years. [Photo provided to China Daily]

For instance, they openly shared their loneliness that comes with children living away.

The film also has moments when the elderly couple behave like young lovers, an element that Jin says has drawn young Koreans to the theater.

"Nearly half of the audience is young－people in their 20s and 30s. I didn't expect that. Many of them also recommended the film to their parents."

Audience reaction to the film varied. Some people saw it as a love story, others as a parent-child relationship saga.

In the film, the couple's children are seen arguing over issues like healthcare for their parents.

The family agreed to make their thoughts public as it is "part of life", says Jin.

"If I only revealed the pretty side of things, people would call it a fairy tale. But these things (unpleasant moments) keep the film real and resonate with audiences."

With cultural and social similarities in China and South Korea, including family structures, he anticipated the documentary would be received well by Chinese viewers.

The long applause after the film's screening in Beijing seemed to point in that direction.

But Jin says he didn't want his film to look similar to Boyhood, the 2014 coming-of-age American movie made with the same cast over 12 years.