Mama (2011 South Korean Film)
Mama is a 2011 South Korean melodrama directed by Choe Ik-hwan. The film presents an anthology-style narrative, focusing on the emotional bonds and challenges faced by three different mother-child pairs.
Plot Synopsis
The film interweaves the stories of three families, each navigating personal crises centered on the maternal relationship:
- Dong-sook and Won-jae: Dong-sook (Uhm Jung-hwa) is a hardworking single mother who balances multiple jobs to support her son, Won-jae (Lee Hyung-suk), who suffers from a condition that limits his mobility. Her life is upended following a cancer diagnosis.
- Hee-kyung and Eun-sung: Eun-sung (Ryu Hyun-kyung) struggles to establish her own identity while living in the shadow of her mother, Hee-kyung (Jeon Soo-kyeong), a renowned opera singer. Despite being an adult and a mother herself, Eun-sung continues to seek her mother's approval while harboring suppressed dreams of becoming a singer.
- Ok-joo and Seung-chul: Seung-chul (Yu Hae-jin) is a formidable mafia boss who adopts a gentle, protective persona when around his mother, Ok-joo (Kim Hae-sook). When Ok-joo is diagnosed with breast cancer and refuses surgery, Seung-chul attempts to fulfill her final wishes, including reuniting with a man from her youth.
Cast
Production
The film was produced by The Dream Pictures and distributed by Lotte Entertainment. It was released in South Korea on June 1, 2011, with a total runtime of 110 minutes.