My Father (2007 Film)

My Father (Korean: 마이파더) is a 2007 South Korean drama film directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The film explores themes of identity, family, and reconciliation, centered on the story of a Korean-American adoptee who returns to his birth country to search for his biological parents.

Poster for the 2007 film My Father — Promotional poster for the film My Father.

Plot

James Parker (Daniel Henney) is a young man adopted by an American family at the age of five. Despite growing up in a supportive environment, he harbors a desire to learn about his origins. While serving as a soldier in the U.S. armed forces stationed in South Korea, James utilizes his time to search for his biological family. With the assistance of his friend Shin (Kim In-kwon), he discovers his birth name, Gong Eun-chul, and visits the orphanage in Chuncheon where he once lived. His search eventually leads him to a profound and challenging discovery regarding his father's past.

Cast

The film features a central performance by Daniel Henney, who received critical recognition for his portrayal of James Parker. The cast includes:

Daniel Henney as James Parker
Kim Young-chul as Hwang Nam-chul
Kim In-kwon as Shin Yo-sub
Choi Jung-won as Gong Eun-joo

Production and Reception

Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the film was released in South Korea on September 6, 2007. It is noted for its emotional narrative and the performance of its lead actor. Daniel Henney earned several awards for his role, including Best New Actor honors at the 27th Critics Choice Awards, the 45th Daejong Film Awards, and the 31st Golden Cinematography Awards.

Scene from the film My Father — A scene featuring the characters in My Father.