Dr Maria M

This movie challenges the stereotypes, the presumptions, the "little boxes" that we are so eager to put each other in to fit our world narratives. As a viewer, you are put into this position right from the start; waiting for the presumably hostile little white town to turn against the newcomers, only to realise that they are the ones who have brought with them all the snobbish, elitist, ready-to-be-insulted egos and attitudes (e.g. the father is insulted when he thinks he is corrected for not knowing what the word 'marked' means; the professor talks about her 'smart and amazing New York friends' when she is drunk; the father is angered when he believes that his kid is being falsely accused just because he is black and so on). The beautiful house that hides mold beneath its walls symbolises this externally perfect family that is forced to recognise their own inconsistencies and fallacies. Both the parents do not put into action what they preach with their books, lectures and intellect. They are trying to teach their son what is the right thing to do, but not through becoming role models themselves, just through empty words. This is why the dialogues are so stiff and awkward to the ear. Still, the family realises this and they try to start fresh: the child running behind the truck yelling 'we are not bad people'. Yes, we are not bad people. We all make assumptions about others without knowing anything about them. In the end, It is not the place that is 'wrong', it is our own perceptions holding us back. And sometimes, our self-stigmatisation.

It is incomprehensible to me that grown up persons need to lay down in front of their parents and justify their decisions concerning their own life asking for forgiveness. It is even more shocking to me that parents in Korea can raise their hands on their adult children in their 30s and 40s (!) and even voice in such a disgusting manner their own opinions about their adult children's lives. Being a parent does not mean one can have an opinion on how the adult child will live their life and especially does not justify raising your hands on them. This is such a toxic and interfering family behaviour I cannot even explain it. I tell you that, if you would raise your hands on me as a fully grown person and tell me what to do with my own life, I would cut your arm from its root. And don't get me started on the inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment at the workplace. Oh South Korea, so developed and so underdeveloped at the same time...👎