Hope (2013 South Korean Film)

Hope (Korean: 소원; RR: Sowon) is a 2013 South Korean drama film directed by Lee Joon-ik. The film explores the emotional and psychological aftermath experienced by a family after their young daughter, So-won, is the victim of a brutal sexual assault. The title Sowon serves as both the name of the daughter and the Korean word for "wish."

Production

Principal photography for the film commenced on April 13, 2013, in Changwon, South Korea. Production concluded on June 24, 2013, in Busan, with the cast members present for the final day of filming. The screenplay was written by Kim Ji-hye and Jo Joong-hoon, based on a novel by So Jae-won.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast portraying the family and those involved in their recovery:

Sul Kyung-gu as Dong-hoon, the father
Uhm Ji-won as Mi-hee, the mother
Lee Re as So-won, the daughter
Kim Hae-sook as Dr. Jung-sook, a psychiatrist
Ra Mi-ran as Young-suk's mother
Kim Sang-ho as Gwang-sik

Reception and Awards

Hope received critical recognition for its sensitive handling of its subject matter. At the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2013, the film won Best Film, Best Supporting Actress (Ra Mi-ran), and Best Screenplay. Sul Kyung-gu received the Best Actor award at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2014, where the film also won for Best Screenplay.