Jang Hae-geum

Ye-sun, a 16-year-old girl who lives in a little town in Jeju Island, recently lost her grandmother. After the death of her grandmother, Ye-sun closes herself from everyone so that she can get used to being alone. Over one lonely and severe winter night, Ye-sun finally picks up her phone to make a call.

A girl of about ten carries a little suitcase when arriving at an intercity bus terminal. She was abandoned by her mother a week ago. Not knowing what to do and why her mother left her, she decides to find a man who might be her father and who she has never met before.

A working-class residential village suffers from a flood. Without proper relief measures in place, the flood victims have no choice but to stay inside a cramped, filthy container together temporarily. A young girl named Gyeongju who is staying there with her mother notices Eunae who is by herself. In the midst of the poverty, redevelopment scheme and the cold selfishness of the grown-ups within the community, Gyeongju’s gaze upon Eunae is completely free from any prejudice. The film is a powerful portrayal of the barren landscape of the village soon to be demolished and a young girl who cannot find peace of mind. [JUNG Jiyoun]