Happiness (2007 South Korean Film)

Happiness (Korean: 행복; RR: Haengbok) is a 2007 South Korean romantic drama film directed by Hur Jin-ho. The film explores themes of illness, love, and human vulnerability, following the relationship between a man suffering from liver cirrhosis and a woman with a chronic lung condition.

Plot

Young-soo (Hwang Jung-min) is a man living a hedonistic lifestyle in Seoul. After being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, he leaves the city to seek treatment at a rural sanatorium. While struggling to adjust to his new environment, he meets Eun-hee (Lim Soo-jung), a patient suffering from a severe lung disease. Despite her illness, Eun-hee maintains a cheerful disposition. The two develop a romantic relationship and eventually move into a small house together, finding solace in their shared circumstances.

Cast

The film features a central cast of South Korean actors:

Hwang Jung-min as Young-soo
Lim Soo-jung as Eun-hee
Kong Hyo-jin as Su-yun
Ryu Seung-soo as Dong-jun
Shin Shin-ae as the Director
Park In-hwan as Suk-gu

Scene from the film — A scene from the film

Production and Release

Directed by Hur Jin-ho, Happiness was released in South Korea on October 3, 2007. The film had a production budget of approximately US$3.5 million and was distributed by Showbox. It was screened at various international events, including the 2008 Udine Far East Film Festival and the 2008 New York Asian Film Festival.

Reception and Awards

The film received recognition for its screenplay and cinematography. Notable awards include:

27th Critics Choice Awards (2007): Best Screenplay
31st Golden Cinematography Awards (2008): Best Film and Gold Medal for Cinematography