A Single Spark

A law graduate and militant-spirited investigator who, in the 1980s timeline, travels through Seoul collecting interviews and material for a biography of Jeon Tae-il. He orchestrates clandestine meetings with activists, balancing risk with the pursuit of truth. His work anchors the present-day reflection on workers’ rights and historical memory.

Young-soo’s wife, pregnant with their first child, who also attempts to organize a trade union at her workplace. She embodies personal resilience and solidarity with workers, linking family life to the broader struggle for labor rights. Her dual role as partner and activist highlights the human stakes of political action.

A garment worker who educates himself about labor law, gathering testimonies from colleagues and forming The Fool's Association. He challenges owners, exposes abuses, and ultimately performs a sacrificial act to broadcast the need for workers’ rights. His life in the past timeline anchors the film’s moral urgency.

The family figure who informs his son about existing labor laws, influencing Tae-il’s understanding of rights and his determination to advocate for workers. He represents a link between personal history and political awakening. His view grounds the generational transfer of knowledge and values.

A maternal presence who witnesses the hardships faced by workers and supports Tae-il’s activism. Her stance underscores the personal costs of social struggle and the emotional backdrop of a family engaged in public matters. She embodies family resilience amid political conflict.

Leader of the market’s business community, a figure who embodies the commercial interests surrounding the garment trade. His role situates the market within the broader socio-economic network that workers challenge as they demand lawful treatment and fair wages.

The owner whose factories symbolize the resistance to labor law enforcement and the exploitation described in the workers’ conditions. He represents the institutional power structure behind the abuse and the main antagonistic force the workers confront.

A garment worker and tailor in the market who endures harsh conditions alongside colleagues. She contributes to the collective experience of factory life and the push for rights, exemplifying solidarity among workers. Her perspective helps illuminate daily realities behind the headlines.

A coworker in the garment workshop who participates in the labor rights movement. She represents the ordinary worker whose voice becomes part of the collective demand for better pay, hours, and protections. Her involvement helps ground the movement in everyday experience.

A colleague connected to Shin Jeong-soon within the workplace, contributing to the network of workers who organize and discuss rights. Her presence adds depth to the community of those who challenge the status quo from within the shop floor.

A younger associate in the activist circle, participating in clandestine discussions and supporting the biographer’s investigative work. He helps illustrate the generational dimension of the movement and the sharing of knowledge across peers.