Aeja (2009 Film)

Aeja (Korean: 애자), released internationally as Goodbye Mom, is a 2009 South Korean drama film directed by Jung Ki-Hun. The film explores the strained and evolving relationship between a daughter and her mother following a sudden health crisis.

Plot

The story follows Aeja (played by Choi Gang-Hee), a 29-year-old aspiring novelist living in Seoul who has yet to achieve the professional success she once envisioned. Her life is further complicated by personal setbacks, including a difficult breakup. When she returns to her hometown of Busan for her brother's wedding, she encounters her mother, Young-Hee (Kim Young-Ae), with whom she has a long-standing, volatile relationship. The dynamic shifts dramatically when Young-Hee is diagnosed with a serious illness, forcing the two to confront their past conflicts.

Production and Release

The film was directed by Jung Ki-Hun, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Yoon Ae-Ri. It was produced by Kim Sang-Min and distributed by Synergy. Aeja premiered in South Korea on September 9, 2009, with a runtime of 110 minutes.

Reception

Aeja performed well at the South Korean box office. During its opening weekend, the film reached the number one position, selling 301,818 tickets across 428 screens and accounting for 22.6% of total ticket sales. Over its first five days, it reached 389,409 admissions. Throughout its theatrical run, the film sold a total of 1,904,713 tickets and maintained a position in the weekend top ten for seven consecutive weeks.

Awards

At the 46th Daejong Film Awards in 2009, Kim Young-Ae received the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Young-Hee.