Showing posts with label Guka Han. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guka Han. Show all posts

Return to Seoul: Movie Review

Ji-Min Park in Return to Seoul Movie Poster
Freddie (Ji-Min Park) may look Korean, but she’s French. Well, technically, she is Korean; she was born there. But during the end of the Korean War, her parents had to put her up for adoption to survive. It was probably the most earnest thing they could do for her back then.

One look at Freddie shows that it doesn’t look like she had a hard time adjusting to life in France. She's well off. Her adoptive parents loved her. And she could be anyone's friend with her charisma and appeal. In fact, she quickly befriends Tena (Guka Han), a shy hotel worker who eventually becomes her translator and confidante. For sure, if Freddie wants something, she can easily get it.

Freddie’s detour to Seoul is both nonsensical and unexpected. She’s never really been interested in the culture, as evident by her neglecting their customs. She doesn’t speak Korean and has no intention to sightsee or learn about its history. Until someone suggests she look for her parents. Near the place she’s staying is a popular adoption center, she could start there. Even though she is reluctant, her headstrong personality and curiosity get the best of her, leading her to make the decision that will change her life forever.