* This film may contain spoilers about its main plot.
Escaping North Korea is just the beginning, not the end. Hana Korea follows one woman’s journey as she starts a new life after crossing the border. The film avoids sensationalizing North Korean defectors, instead focusing on the everyday struggles of adapting to an unfamiliar society. Inspired by true events, the movie maintains a grounded perspective that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
Set to release on July 8, Hana Korea opens with Hyesun (Kim Min Ha) boarding a flight to South Korea. After interrogation by the National Intelligence Service and completing the defection process, she enters Hanawon, where she befriends her roommate Bomi (Ahn Seo Hyun). Hyesun’s first steps toward assimilation involve learning everything from national calisthenics to history and English, as well as how to use a cellphone and ATM.
The film doesn’t sugarcoat Hyesun’s adjustment period at Hanawon. Her connection with a fellow defector from China continues, and Hyesun grapples with guilt over past choices made for survival. Her mother’s advice to live like a viper becomes a mantra of resilience. This drives Hyesun to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, choosing education as she forges ahead without compromising her goals.
Life after Hanawon proves challenging. Hyesun juggles studies and part-time jobs to afford her mother’s medication, living with grit and determination. Her days in South Korea grow increasingly difficult as she battles feelings of alienation. Her North Korean accent leads to hesitation from interviewers, prompting her to sometimes pass as ethnic Korean-Chinese. At a language academy, her request to share notes is coldly rejected. She even faces sexual harassment at a restaurant.
The film meticulously captures Hyesun’s experiences, from minor incidents to moments of profound alienation. By layering these encounters as she adapts to South Korean society, it powerfully conveys the weight of her new life. The movie presents a nuanced portrayal of society, avoiding black-and-white depictions of good and bad people. Instead, it shows the coexistence of prejudice and kindness, lending the story greater authenticity.
What sets this film apart is its unique perspective. Danish director Frederik Schölberg approaches North Korean defection as a human experience rather than a political issue. Drawing from years of interviews with defectors, he focuses on characters’ silences and expressions over dramatic flourishes. In early scenes, he deliberately obscures the faces of intelligence agents and medical staff, showing only voices and silhouettes. This technique effectively conveys Hyesun’s sense of unfamiliarity and wariness to the audience. Co-writer Sharon Choi (known for her work with Bong Joon-ho) adds depth to the portrayal of Korean society’s language and emotions. The result is a delicate balance between an outsider’s perspective and insider knowledge.
At the heart of the film is Kim Min Ha’s powerful performance. Her expressive face speaks volumes, conveying a range of emotions without resorting to histrionics. She masterfully communicates anxiety, loneliness, guilt, and hope. Her natural incorporation of North Korean dialect brings Hyesun to life as a relatable individual. Following her role as Sunja in Apple TV+’s Pachinko, Kim delivers another nuanced portrayal of a woman enduring life’s hardships. Her chemistry with Kim Joo-ryeong and Ahn Seo-hyun is equally compelling, as the bond between these three women adds warmth to the understated narrative.
Hana Korea transcends the typical defector story, speaking to anyone who has had to start anew in an unfamiliar environment. While it eschews dramatic twists, the film’s quiet power lies in its authenticity. It offers a thoughtful look at one woman’s ordinary yet intense struggle to survive in South Korea. The movie gently prompts viewers to consider the meaning of survival and the immense courage required to start over. Kim Min Ha’s restrained performance, coupled with Schölberg’s understated direction, creates a deeply resonant experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Running time: 105 minutes.
