A Reason to Live (2011 Film)

A Reason to Live (Korean: 오늘; RR: Oneul) is a 2011 South Korean drama film written and directed by Lee Jeong-Hyang. The film explores the psychological and moral complexities of forgiveness following a tragic loss.

Plot

The story follows Da-Hye (Song Hye-Kyo), a television producer who experiences a profound personal tragedy when her fiancé is killed in a hit-and-run accident. In the aftermath, Da-Hye chooses to forgive the teenage perpetrator, believing in the possibility of his rehabilitation. She subsequently leaves her job to work on a documentary about the nature of forgiveness, commissioned by the Catholic Church.

Her life intersects with Ji-Min (Nam Ji-Hyun), a teenager who seeks refuge in Da-Hye's apartment, claiming to be a victim of domestic abuse by her father. As Da-Hye conducts interviews with families of crime victims for her documentary, she begins to question the ease with which she initially granted forgiveness, leading her to re-examine the impact of her decision on both herself and the perpetrator.

Production

The film was written and directed by Lee Jeong-Hyang. Its working title was Nobody Somebody. Principal photography commenced on December 1, 2010, and concluded on March 22, 2011. The final scene, featuring Song Hye-Kyo riding a bicycle on Sol Wol street in Namsan, Seoul, was the last to be filmed.

Release and Reception

A Reason to Live held its world premiere at the 16th Busan International Film Festival in October 2011. It was released theatrically in South Korea on October 27, 2011. The film was also featured at the 14th International Women's Film Festival in Seoul in 2012.