“Hongi” Explores the Complex Bond Between a Mother adn Daughter
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A poignant new film, “Hongi,” directed by Hwang Seul-ki, delves into the fraught and often ambivalent relationship between a mother and daughter, offering a raw and relatable portrayal of familial dynamics. The film, set to open on September 24th, promises a deeply emotional experience for audiences.
A Daughter’s Return and a Mother’s Legacy
Young Hong (Jang Sun-min), a woman in her early thirties, onc harbored dreams of becoming a teacher. However, life took a different turn, marked by a challenging upbringing with a “violent father and strict mother” and a series of setbacks that led to mounting debt and unfulfilled aspirations.Now, facing financial hardship, Hong finds herself returning to her mother, Seo-hee (Byun Joong-hee), who resides in a nursing home, seeking access to a lifetime of savings. This return forms the central conflict of “Hongi,” a story about a mother and daughter who have never truly connected.
The film doesn’t shy away from the complexities of their relationship. According to reports, the narrative unfolds slowly, revealing decades of misunderstandings and conflicts.The core of the story lies in the “relationship between my mother and daughter, wich I would not love or hate it,” exploring the inner lives of two women who struggle to confront their shared history.
“Hongi” centers on Young Hong’s desperate attempt to access her mother Seo-hee’s savings to alleviate her own financial burdens. The film explores why this strained relationship exists, revealing a history of emotional neglect and resentment. Who are at the heart of the story are Young Hong, a struggling daughter, and Seo-hee, a mother grappling with her own vulnerabilities. The film what it does is unravels the layers of their elaborate past.How the story unfolds is through a slow-burn narrative, focusing on subtle interactions and unspoken emotions.
A Portrait of Quiet Desperation
Outside of her interactions with her mother,Hong maintains a facade of normalcy,offering “social smiles” while grappling with loneliness and financial instability. She takes on a physically demanding part-time job at a construction site, a situation that highlights her vulnerability and immaturity, even as she attempts to appear capable. The film portrays a woman caught in a cycle of desperation, unable to fully care for her mother due to her own struggles.
The Mother’s Silent Burden
Seo-hee is presented as a character who, while not outwardly harsh, possesses a subtle ability to unsettle her daughter. A nursing caregiver observed that mother and daughter “are a lot like two people. I was proud of it,” but th
The film concludes with an ambiguous resolution. While Young Hong gains access to her mother’s savings, the emotional distance between them remains largely unchanged. Seo-hee’s health continues to decline, and the film ends without a clear sense of reconciliation or closure. The ending suggests that some wounds may never fully heal, and the cycle of misunderstanding could continue even as Seo-hee’s life nears its end. The film doesn’t offer easy answers, instead leaving audiences to contemplate the complexities of familial love and loss.
