This image provided by Lotte Entertainment shows a scene from the Korean comedy-drama “About Family” set for release on Dec. 11, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — Director Yang Woo-sook, known for his deeply humanistic works like “The Attorney” (2013) and the “Steel Rain” film series released in 2017 and 2022, takes a lighter yet equally meaningful approach with “About Family.”
The new Korean film explores the evolving concept of family through a unique combination of comedy and touching drama, offering viewers a warm and memorable cinematic experience.
Set in the winter of 2000, “About Family” follows Ham Moo-ok (Kim Yun-seok), a grumpy old man who owns a famous dumpling shop in Jongno, central Seoul. Relying on a hearing aid to communicate, he’s prone to yelling and constantly calculating the cost of everything in terms of how many bowls of dumplings it equates to.
His penny-pinching and culinary skills have earned him massive wealth, including multiple properties worth tens of millions of U.S. dollars. Despite his wealth, Moo-ok is a lonely man, estranged from his only son, Moon-seok (Lee Seung-gi), who left behind a promising career in medicine to become a revered Buddhist monk.
Moo-ok’s mundane life takes an unexpected turn when a pair of children appear at his shop, claiming to be his biological grandchildren — products of a sperm donation Moon-seok made during his college years.
What follows is a heartwarming and humorous journey as Moo-ok embraces these unexpected additions to his lineage, challenging his rigid views on family and tradition.
This image provided by Lotte Entertainment shows a scene from the Korean comedy-drama “About Family” set for release on Dec. 11, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
His transformation from a curmudgeonly miser obsessed with blood ties to a loving grandfather forms the emotional core of the story.
At the same time, the film cleverly uses its quirky premise — complete with a monk suddenly facing the responsibilities of fatherhood — to deliver well-timed comedic moments.
Kim Yun-seok shines as Moo-ok, delivering a layered performance that balances gruff humor with touching vulnerability. His portrayal of a man grappling with the loss of control over his perfectly curated life, only to find joy and connection in the chaos, is both relatable and deeply moving.
Lee Seung-gi complements this with a nuanced performance as Moon-seok, bringing subtle humor and emotional weight to a character caught between spiritual devotion and familial obligations.
The film’s structure, transitioning from a laugh-out-loud comedy in its first half to a poignant drama in its second, works well to engage the audience on multiple levels. The humor, rooted in the protagonist’s eccentricities and the absurdity of the situation, feels fresh and genuine.
What makes “About Family” truly stand out is its exploration of what it means to be a family in a modern context. The story begins with Moo-ok’s obsession with preserving his bloodline, but it evolves into a broader narrative about chosen families and the bonds that transcend biology. The message is clear yet not preachy: true family is defined by love, connection, and mutual care rather than mere genetic ties.
“About Family” is set for release on Dec. 11.
(Yonhap)
