Park Hwa-young (2018 Film)

Park Hwa-young (Korean: 박화영) is a 2018 South Korean independent drama film written and directed by Lee Hwan. The film provides a gritty look into the lives of a group of teenagers living on the fringes of society.

Plot

The story centers on Hwa-young, an 18-year-old high school student who lives alone. Her home serves as a gathering place for a group of local teenagers who rely on her for food and shelter. Despite being their peer, the group mockingly refers to her as "mom." The narrative explores the toxic power dynamics within this group, particularly focusing on Hwa-young's relationship with her best friend, Mi-jung, and Mi-jung's boyfriend, Young-jae. The situation escalates when Young-jae expresses hostility toward Hwa-young, leading to cycles of violence and emotional manipulation.

Production

The film was directed and written by Lee Hwan. Principal photography for the project commenced on February 12, 2017, and concluded on April 7, 2017. The film had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2017 before its general release in South Korea on July 19, 2018.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast portraying the troubled youth:

• Kim Ga-hee as Park Hwa-young
• Kang Min-ah as Eun Mi-jung
• Lee Yoo-mi as Se-jin
• Lee Jae-kyoon as Young-jae