Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013 Film)

Miracle in Cell No. 7 (Korean: 7번방의 선물) is a 2013 South Korean drama film directed by Lee Hwan-Kyung. The film explores themes of family, justice, and human connection, centering on a father with an intellectual disability who is wrongfully accused of a crime and imprisoned.

Plot

The story follows Lee Yong-Goo, a devoted father with the intellectual capacity of a child, who lives a modest life with his young daughter, Ye-Seung. Their lives are upended when Yong-Goo is falsely accused of kidnapping and murder. Despite his innocence, he is sentenced to death and incarcerated in a high-security prison. While in prison, he shares a cell with five other inmates. After saving the life of a cellmate, So Yang-Ho, the other prisoners agree to help him reunite with his daughter. Years later, an adult Ye-Seung, now a law student, works to clear her father's name.

Production

The film was directed by Lee Hwan-Kyung, who also contributed to the screenplay alongside Kim Hwang-Sung, Kim Young-Suk, and Yoo Young-A. Production began on June 20, 2012, in Daejeon, South Korea, with the initial scene featuring the introduction of Yong-Goo to his cellmates. Filming concluded on October 10, 2012, in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, where the final scenes were captured. The film was originally developed under the working title 12 Wol 23 Il (December 23).

Reception and Box Office

Miracle in Cell No. 7 achieved significant commercial success in South Korea. By February 2013, it became the ninth film in the country's history to surpass 10 million admissions. Its popularity continued to grow throughout the spring of 2013, reaching 11 million admissions by March 1 and 12 million by March 9. By March 15, 2013, the film had sold over 12.32 million tickets, ranking as the fourth best-selling film in South Korean history at that time.