Hope

Hope follows the aftermath of an attack on eight-year-old So-won. Her parents, Dong-hoon and Mi-hee, rally to shield her as she endures medical exams, therapy, and a courtroom shadowed by anger, fear, and grief. The film narrows its lens on the family's daily battles instead of sensationalizing the crime, showing how trauma reverberates through every room at home and every decision at the hospital. So-won herself is portrayed with quiet resilience as she clings to small comforts while the people around her confront guilt and the urge to protect. The story also delves into the adults' struggles to regulate rage, conceal their own pain from friends, and maintain a sense of normalcy for So-won. Across the arc, the family confronts shame and their own limits while clinging to hope.

Directed by Lee Joon-ik, Hope was developed from a real life case and scripted by Jo Joong-hoon, Kim Ji-hye and Lee Sang-yong. Shot on location in Korea, the film released in 2013 to wide national attention.

The film sparked conversations about child safety and the survivor's dignity, inviting audiences to reconsider how families cope with trauma in a society that grapples with stigma. It also prompted debates about the legal system and the role of care professionals in supporting victims. Sul Kyung-gu and Uhm Ji-won's restrained performances helped center the human cost over sensationalism.

Critics praised its quiet respectful tone that avoids sensationalism while addressing the psychological toll on So-won and her parents. The film explores resilience, blame, and the quest for justice, while showing how patient care and honest conversation can start the process of healing.

Box office data for Hope is not widely publicized, but the film's enduring impact lives in how it frames survivor dignity and prompts dialogue about sexual assault in Korean cinema, extending its reach to festival audiences worldwide.