A Girl at My Door

A former Seoul police instructor is reassigned to Yeosu to head a seaside substation. She tries to keep a low profile while adjusting to a town that drinks heavily and keeps its own opinions. The move marks the start of a difficult balance between duty and the locals’ scrutiny.

Do-hee, a 14-year-old, is bullied at school and beaten by her drunk stepfather Yong-ha and a drunken grandmother, with her biological mother long gone. The family’s hardship is intensified by Yong-ha’s position as the town’s main oyster farmer and the community’s silence.

The body of Yong-ha’s mother is found floating in the water, and the town attributes it to a drunk driving accident. In the aftermath, Yong-ha attacks Do-hee again, making her fear for her safety. This sets the stage for Yeong-nam’s decisive intervention.

Concerned for Do-hee, Yeong-nam offers to let the girl stay with her during summer vacation. The arrangement takes Do-hee out of immediate danger and gives her a rare sense of safety. For the first time, she has someone who does not hit her and who calls her by name.

Do-hee bathes with Yeong-nam, imitates her, wears Yeong-nam’s uniform, and cuts her hair in the same style. The girl begins to model Yeong-nam’s life as a way to cope with trauma. Their growing closeness is a quiet, fragile bond.

An ex-girlfriend tracks Yeong-nam to Yeosu and asks her to move to Australia. The two share a kiss and argue, revealing Yeong-nam’s internal conflict between personal happiness and professional duties. Yong-ha witnesses the moment, complicating everything.

Yong-ha accuses Yeong-nam of sexually abusing Do-hee, using the abuse allegation to undermine her authority. The town’s suspicion turns quickly toward Yeong-nam as the investigation begins.

Yeong-nam is detained by the police while she protests that she only took in an abused child as part of her duty. The investigators probe the boundaries of a teacher-student relationship and concern about her sexuality.

Do-hee tells investigators that Yeong-nam abused her, and Yeong-nam is imprisoned. The claim is later placed under scrutiny as Do-hee’s statements are understood to be influenced by her father’s advice.

Do-hee’s later explanation reveals that her father urged her to lie, which complicates the abuse narrative. Yeong-nam is released and receives an apology following the investigation.

Yeong-nam visits Do-hee and asks whether Do-hee made what happened to her father and grandmother happen on purpose. The conversation leaves both of them unsettled, underscoring the unresolved tension.

As Yeong-nam is driven away from Yeosu, she stops the car, searches for Do-hee, and asks her to come with her. The film closes on the possibility of an escape together and a chance at healing.