Hope

Hope

Year: 2013

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Lee Joon-ik

DramaMoving relationship storiesTouching and sentimental family storiesPowerful stories of heartbreak and sufferingEmotional and touching family dramasHeartbreaking and moving family dramaTragic sadness and captivating beautyShow All…

Following a devastating sexual assault, eight-year-old So-won’s family struggles to help her recover while confronting their own profound grief and anger. They are determined to protect her and ensure she never experiences such pain again, navigating a difficult journey of healing and resilience.

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Timeline & Setting – Hope (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hope (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

Set in contemporary South Korea, the events unfold over days and weeks following the assault. The film depicts current hospital care, counseling, media coverage, and legal proceedings that shape the family's experience in a modern context.

Location

South Korea, Seoul

The story unfolds in a modern Korean city, centering on So-won's family home, the hospital where she receives treatment, and the courthouse where the case unfolds. The settings alternate between intimate domestic spaces and public institutions, reflecting the journey from trauma to healing. The urban backdrop underscores the everyday realities of care, media attention, and legal pursuit in contemporary Korea.

🏙️ Urban setting 🏥 Hospital scenes 🏡 Home life

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:03

Main Characters – Hope (2013)

Meet the key characters of Hope (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

So-won

An eight-year-old girl who endures kidnapping, rape, and severe injuries, leaving her with a life-changing colostomy. The trauma affects her sense of safety and her ability to communicate, but she gradually engages with therapy and support to rebuild trust in her surroundings and in her father. Through gradual progress—using a magnetic board to communicate and moments of play—she reconnects with her family and begins to heal.

💪 Resilience 🧠 Therapy 👧 Child Survivor

Dong-hoon

So-won's father, overwhelmed with grief and anger, fights to protect his daughter and help her heal. He uses creative means to reach her, notably dressing as the Cocomong mascot to communicate, and he confronts the attacker with a mix of fury and love. His journey shows the limits and power of parental devotion in the face of trauma.

🧑‍👧 Family 💔 Father 🚶‍♂️ Protective

Mi-hee

So-won's mother, pregnant during the ordeal, who wrestles with fear, guilt, and a desire to support her daughter. She gradually accepts therapy for So-won and helps create space for healing, balancing her own emotional strain with the needs of her child and unborn sibling.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family ❤️ Mother 🏥 Care

Jung-sook

The psychiatrist who supports So-won and her family, acknowledging the child's psychological vulnerability early on. Her backstory—having a daughter who experienced a similar trauma and faced suicide—adds depth to her commitment to therapy, even as she herself faces her own challenges.

🧠 Therapist 🩺 Mental Health 🪑 Wheelchair

Young-seok (Friend)

So-won's friend who initially ditches her for others, a moment that compounds the trauma with guilt. He later reaches out, offering comfort and support to So-won's family as they navigate the aftermath.

👦 Friend 💬 Guilt 🤝 Support

Attacker

A nameless man who abducts So-won, commits the assault, and is later arrested. The case centers on his drunken state during the crime and the eventual prison sentence, highlighting the ongoing healing required by So-won and her family.

🧰 Criminal ⚖️ Justice 🚓 Arrest

Baby Brother

So-won's younger sibling, born during the aftermath of the trauma. His arrival marks a new chapter and a source of joy as So-won continues her recovery and learns to care for and connect with a new family member.

👶 Baby 🧷 Growth 🏡 Family

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:03

Major Themes – Hope (2013)

Explore the central themes of Hope (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Trauma

The film centers on a child's enduring trauma after a violent assault and her path toward recovery. It portrays long-term emotional and physical scars, the need for therapy, and the slow process of rebuilding trust and safety. Through So-won's journey, the story explores resilience, memory, and the impact of trauma on family dynamics.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family

Parents rally to protect their child, facing fear, anger, and guilt as they navigate medical crises and therapy. The father and mother learn new ways to connect with So-won, including creative moments like the Cocomong costume, to bridge the gap created by trauma. The film emphasizes unconditional support, sacrifice, and the fragile balance between protecting a child and letting them heal.

⚖️ Justice

The narrative follows the legal process as So-won identifies her attacker and the consequences of the crime. It questions the adequacy of punishment and the limits of justice when healing is ongoing, highlighting the emotional stakes for the victim and her family in the courtroom.

📰 Public

Media attention and public scrutiny accompany the family's ordeal, shaping perceptions of crime, trauma, and accountability. The film shows how reporting can impact privacy, stigma, and the emotional well-being of those involved, while also driving a broader conversation about child safety and support systems.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:03

Unlock the Full Story of Hope

Don't stop at just watching — explore Hope 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 Hope is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Hope Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Hope, 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.

Hope Summary

Hope Timeline

Track the full timeline of Hope with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Hope Timeline

Hope Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Hope 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.

Hope Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Hope

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Hope: 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 Hope

Explore More About Movie Hope

Hope (2013) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Hope (2013) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Hope (2013) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow