Korean Hana

The Danish-produced HANA KOREA won the prestigious Audience Award at the Busan International Film Festival. A moving and honest story about the struggle for a better life and finding one's place in the world.

Inspired by real-life events, HANA KOREA follows Hyesun, a young North Korean refugee who arrives in a frenetic and hyper-modern South Korea. Life in Seoul is completely unknown and different from the life she has escaped from. While she is curiously drawn to all that is new, she must both deal with the emotional cost of leaving her family behind in North Korea and finding her place in a society marked by performance demands and towering expectations.

Hyesun's fight for freedom has a high price -- is it worth it? And can she ever let go of her past?

HANA KOREA takes the audience on a challenging journey. Through Hyesun, the film shows the terms that characterize modern people in a world of increasing individualization and fragmented communities.

Hyesun's story offers a human perspective on the consequences of division, and invites the audience to reflect on the decisions that help shape a human being — for better or for worse.

Sharon Choi, who collaborated with Bong Joon Ho on the Oscar-winning PARASITE, has co-written the film. It stars Minha Kim (PACHINKO), Jooryoung Kim (SQUID GAME) and Seohyun An (OKJA).

Director: Frederik Sølberg
Starring: Kim Joo-ryoung, Minha Kim, Jong Eun Elkanah Lee
Genre: Drama
Running time: 105 min.
Age limit: Allowed for children over 11