Beautiful Days (2018 Film)

Beautiful Days is a 2018 South Korean drama film written and directed by Jero Yun. The film explores the emotional and historical complexities surrounding a North Korean defector who leaves her family in China to seek a new life in South Korea. The narrative centers on a strained reunion between the mother and her son after fourteen years of separation.

Promotional poster for the film Beautiful Days.

Plot

The story follows a young man named Zhen Chen (played by Jang Dong-Yoon) who lives in China with his father (Oh Gwang-Rok). After his father expresses a dying wish to reconnect with his ex-wife, who defected to South Korea years prior, Zhen Chen travels to Seoul to find her. Upon arriving, he encounters a mother who is vastly different from his expectations; she works in a bar and lives with a partner, leading to deep disappointment and resentment. Through a personal notebook left behind, Zhen Chen eventually gains insight into the traumatic experiences and difficult choices his mother faced after leaving them.

Production

The film was directed and written by Jero Yun. Principal photography commenced on October 31, 2017, and concluded on November 26, 2017. The project was selected as the opening film for the 23rd Busan International Film Festival.

Actress Lee Na-Young — Lee Na-Young portrays the mother in the film.

Cast

Lee Na-Young as the mother
Jang Dong-Yoon as Zhen Chen
Oh Gwang-Rok as Zhen Chen's father
Lee Yoo-Joon as CEO Hwang
Seo Hyun-Woo as the mother's boyfriend

Actor Jang Dong-Yoon — Jang Dong-Yoon stars as the son, Zhen Chen.

Actor Oh Gwang-Rok — Oh Gwang-Rok plays the role of the father.

Actor Lee Yoo-Joon — Lee Yoo-Joon appears as CEO Hwang.

Actor Seo Hyun-Woo — Seo Hyun-Woo portrays the mother's boyfriend.