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Mother and daughters seek revenge in new South Korean film 'A Journey to Gyeongju'
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Mother and daughters seek revenge in new South Korean film 'A Journey to Gyeongju'

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new South Korean film, 'A Journey to Gyeongju,' centers on a mother and her three daughters seeking revenge against the man who murdered their youngest sibling eight years prior.
  • The film blends a tragic premise with a comedic tone, exploring the clumsy and absurd attempts of the mismatched family as they kidnap the perpetrator.
  • Despite the dark subject matter, the movie highlights individual character struggles and the mother's unwavering pursuit of justice, with strong performances from the lead actresses.

A mother and her three daughters embark on a darkly comedic revenge mission in the new South Korean film, 'A Journey to Gyeongju,' set to release on July 26. The story begins eight years after the youngest daughter, Gyeongju, was murdered during a school trip. When her killer is released from an eight-year prison sentence, the family, mother Ok-sil, eldest daughter Jang-ju, second daughter Yeong-ju, and third daughter Dong-ju, takes matters into their own hands.

They travel to Gyeongju, where the perpetrator resides, and orchestrate his kidnapping. The film promises a blend of tragedy and humor, as the family, depicted as somewhat inept, navigates the complexities of their revenge plot. Director Kim Mi-jo draws inspiration from her own life, with the four daughters in the film mirroring her real-life sisters, each embodying distinct personalities.

Jang-ju, the eldest, is fiercely protective of her family, while Yeong-ju, the intelligent second daughter, is a law graduate. Dong-ju, the third, is a former professional wrestler. Their motivations for participating in the revenge plot vary; some wish to forget the past, others are hesitant to commit murder, and one carries guilt over Gyeongju's death. However, their mother, Ok-sil, remains resolute in her pursuit of vengeance.

Actress Lee Jung-eun, who plays Ok-sil, was the director's first choice, embodying the mother's complex emotions as she grapples with forgiveness and justice. Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon also deliver compelling performances as the daughters. Actor Byun Yo-han makes a special appearance as the kidnapper, reportedly joining the project without a fee due to his affection for the script and cast.

I wanted to see the face of someone who does not forgive

โ€” Director Kim Mi-joExplaining her intention behind the character of the mother, Ok-sil.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.