Cello

Cello

Year: 2005

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Lee Woo-chul

HorrorMysteryHorror the undead and monster classicsIntense violence and sexual transgressionTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

A cellist is haunted by strange events after a car wreck.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cello yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Cello (2005)

Trace every key event in Cello (2005) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Mi-ju quits cello after Tae-yeon's murder

The talented cello player Mi-ju withdraws from performing after her friend Tae-yeon is killed. The trauma shadows her music career and she stops practicing. The murder marks the start of a long, uneasy quiet in her life.

immediately after Tae-yeon's murder home
2

Professor pressures her to return: concert and job offer

Mi-ju's professor tries to coax her back into performing and even offers a professional position. She declines both opportunities, signaling her resolve to stay away from the cello. The insistence foreshadows looming expectations and guilt.

shortly after quitting professor's office / university
3

On the road home, a hallucinatory warning appears

While driving home, Mi-ju hallucinates a student telling her that her music is for nothing and that she will face revenge. The vision unsettles her and blurs the line between reality and fear. It hints at a haunting closer to her door.

night road
4

A disturbing message arrives on her phone

Back at home, Mi-ju receives a chilling voice message that deepens her sense of threat. The message seems to come from the unseen forces around her. She grows more wary of what might be following her every move.

evening home
5

Mi-ju's birthday party with a silent family

Her eldest daughter Yoon-jin's autism is present; the rest of the family behaves as if mute and emotionless, making the party feel eerie. Only Yoon-jin sings 'Happy Birthday' to Mi-ju. The party underscores the growing estrangement and supernatural tension in the home.

Mi-ju's birthday home
6

Mi-ju buys a cello for Yoon-jin

Seeking to nurture Yoon-jin's burgeoning interest, Mi-ju buys a cello after seeing her longing gaze. The purchase appears to restore a sense of normalcy, but it also deepen the haunting connection between music and danger. This moment plants the seed for what comes next.

day after birthday music shop / home
7

Yoon-hye wants to try the cello; Yoon-jin bites her

Yoon-hye asks to try the cello, but Yoon-jin's erratic behavior erupts when she bites her sister. The bite underlines the growing tension and suggests Yoon-jin's unspoken distress. It also foreshadows further violence in the household.

same day home
8

Kyeong-ran is murdered by a ghost; Yoon-jin sees the body

Kyeong-ran, Mi-ju's sister-in-law, is quietly murdered by what seems to be a ghost. Nobody else notices, but Yoon-jin witnesses the body hanging at her window. The haunting in the home becomes undeniable for Mi-ju at this moment.

night home
9

Mi-ju tells Jun-ki the 'truth' about Tae-yeon's death

Mi-ju recounts the death of Tae-yeon as jealousy and a car accident, presenting a version where Tae-yeon was the jealous rival. Jun-ki listens, troubled by the revelation. The telling foreshadows the deeper truth that remains hidden.

before present living room
10

Yoon-jin causes Yoon-hye's fall; basement cover-up

Yoon-jin's actions lead to Yoon-hye falling from a balcony; to silence the trace, Mi-ju hides Yoon-hye's body in the basement and lies to Jun-ki that she went to camp. The cover-up entwines the family more deeply in the haunting.

present home, basement
11

Jun-ki confronts Mi-ju and is killed

Jun-ki discovers the basement secret and confronts Mi-ju. In the ensuing struggle, he is stabbed, and a ghostly presence seems to kill him, with Tae-yeon's name whispered. The tragedy cements the household's downfall.

present home
12

Flashback reveals the true cause: Mi-ju's jealousy

A flashback reveals that Mi-ju's version of events was not true: Tae-yeon was the more talented cellist, and Mi-ju was the one who envied her. She sabotages Tae-yeon in the car, letting her fall to her death. This revelation flips the audience's understanding of the past.

flashback car / road
13

Mi-ju wrestles with Tae-yeon's ghost in the present

Back in the present, Mi-ju tries to stab Tae-yeon's ghost to stop her from reaching Yoon-jin. The confrontation leaves her battered and the housekeeper inadvertently stabbed. The supernatural influence tightens its grip on the family.

present home
14

Mi-ju wakes to a coma and learns the truth

Mi-ju awakens in the hospital to realize that the preceding events happened while she was in a coma due to the truck crash. Her family is safe, but the truth of the haunting remains unresolved. The twist reframes everything she thought she remembered.

after coma hospital
15

Birthday attic ending: 'This is only the beginning'

Back at home, Mi-ju finds her family singing again in the attic on her birthday, just as at the start. Inside, a scribbled inscription reads 'This is only the beginning,' and Tae-yeon's ghostly hands grasp her face. The ending leaves the horror open for what comes next.

present attic

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:13

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Cello

Don't stop at just watching — explore Cello in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Cello is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Cello Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cello, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Cello Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cello

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Cello. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cello

Cello Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Cello that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Cello Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Cello

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Cello: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Cello

Similar Movies to Cello

Discover movies like Cello that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.