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Hope (2013) movie poster

Timeline

Hope (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 122 mins · Korean
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Directed by
Lee Joon-ik
Starring
Ra Mi-ran, Sul Kyung-gu, Yoon Jong-goo, Uhm Ji-won, Kwon Tae-won, Seo Hyun-woo

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.

Drama Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Hope Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Hope (2013) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. So-won is abducted on the way to school

    So-won, an 8-year-old girl, is late for school and walks alone in the rain. A man asks to share his umbrella, and moments later she is kidnapped, assaulted, and left with serious injuries. She manages to call an ambulance, starting her family's urgent ordeal.

    When
    Morning
    Where
    On the way to school, near her home

  2. Emergency surgery and life-changing injuries

    So-won is rushed to the hospital with internal injuries. She undergoes emergency surgery and will need a colostomy bag for life. Her parents rush to the hospital, overwhelmed by the extent of her trauma.

    When
    Same day
    Where
    Hospital emergency room

  3. Three days later: therapy begins and attacker identified

    Three days after the attack, police interview So-won, and a therapist named Jung-sook begins guiding the family through the aftermath. So-won, with support, identifies her attacker from photos. Jung-sook also tries to help the parents cope, though Mi-hee remains wary of therapy.

    When
    Three days after incident
    Where
    Hospital and police station

  4. Attacker arrested and media attention intensifies

    The attacker is arrested, and news coverage erupts, even showing the hospital where So-won is staying. Dong-hoon rushes to the police station to confront the suspect but is confronted by reporters seeking interviews. The family struggles to protect So-won’s privacy amid the media attention.

    When
    Soon after arrest
    Where
    Police station / hospital corridor

  5. Transfer chaos: colostomy bag leaks and a fainting spell

    During a room transfer, So-won’s colostomy bag leaks, causing distress for the family. Mi-hee faints in the hospital, heightening the sense of crisis around So-won’s care. Medical staff respond quickly to stabilize everyone involved.

    When
    During hospitalization
    Where
    Hospital ward

  6. Mi-hee’s pregnancy is revealed

    It is revealed that Mi-hee is five months pregnant, adding another layer of fear and responsibility for the parents. Dong-hoon is overwhelmed by the double trauma affecting his daughter and unborn child. So-won remains deeply traumatized, often avoiding contact or eye contact.

    When
    Soon after
    Where
    Hospital

  7. Nighttime fear and distance between father and daughter

    At night, So-won covers herself with a blanket and refuses to look at her father, overwhelmed by the trauma. Dong-hoon struggles to find a way to reach her and communicate effectively. The family begins searching for gentle ways to reconnect.

    When
    Nighttime after incident
    Where
    Home

  8. Therapist Jung-sook’s backstory revealed

    A note about Jung-sook reveals a painful backstory: her own daughter experienced a similar assault and later died, and Jung-sook herself suffered a suicide attempt years earlier. The revelation underscores the therapist’s dedication and the heavy toll trauma can take on caregivers. It also provides context for her intense commitment to So-won’s healing.

    When
    Earlier this year / backstory revealed
    Where
    Therapist’s office / discussions with parents

  9. A plan: father dresses as a cartoon mascot to reach So-won

    To bridge the communication gap, Dong-hoon dresses up as So-won’s favorite character, a mascot named Cocomong. The disguise helps her open up and reach toward him, culminating in a heartwarming moment where she hugs the masked figure. She does not yet realize the disguise is her father.

    When
    Shortly after
    Where
    Home

  10. Therapy progresses and new ways to communicate

    So-won begins regular therapy and gradually finds her voice again, even using a magnetic erase board to communicate. Her physical health improves, and she starts returning to some normal activities. The family begins to see real signs of healing.

    When
    Weeks after
    Where
    Hospital / therapy sessions

  11. Returning home and the site of the crime

    The family returns home, but So-won vomits when she passes the site where the attack occurred. Neighbors have cleaned the house and left positive notes, showing the community’s support. The return marks a turning point toward normalcy, though the memory lingers.

    When
    After discharge
    Where
    Home and the street near the site

  12. Young-seok’s guilt and school adjustments

    Young-seok visits Dong-hoon and expresses guilt for ditching So-won, offering comfort. He later visits So-won’s school to explain the colostomy bag and aims to limit contact with male teachers, while Dong-hoon helps by concealing the bag with candy. So-won grows more self-conscious about the bag and noises it makes.

    When
    After discharge
    Where
    Home and school

  13. So-won learns her father was the mascot

    So-won eventually realizes that the kind, supportive mascot was her own father in disguise. She smiles and helps him wipe away his sweat, signaling a cautious restoration of trust between them. The moment marks a major turning point in her healing journey.

    When
    After therapy
    Where
    Home

  14. Court day: the attacker is sentenced

    In court, So-won again identifies her attacker from photos and states he reeked of alcohol during the assault. The attacker is sentenced to 12 years in prison, sparking anger in Dong-hoon. He briefly confronts the man in the courtroom, but So-won intervenes and asks him to go home.

    When
    Court day
    Where
    Courtroom (and jail visit)

  15. A new chapter: baby brother and healing through craft

    Time passes and So-won’s baby brother is born, bringing new responsibilities. She occasionally leaves school early to manage her mental health, but she finds comfort in papercrafts. The film ends with her playing happily with her brother, lifting a paper plane into the air as a small sign of recovery.

    When
    Months later
    Where
    Home

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:24

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Timeline questions answered

Hope Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Hope (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Dong-hoon dress up as the Cocomong mascot?

Dong-hoon dresses as Cocomong because So-won has become terrified of men after the assault and refuses to look at or communicate with him. Unable to reach her through normal means, he borrows her favorite mascot costume to create a safe, non-threatening way for her to reconnect with him. The disguise works, and So-won finally hugs him, beginning to restore their bond.

  • dong-hoon
  • cocomong
  • mascot
  • father daughter
  • trauma recovery
  • communication
Q2

Why does Mi-hee faint at the hospital?

Mi-hee faints from exhaustion and shock after So-won's colostomy bag leaks during a room transfer. The incident symbolizes the overwhelming physical and emotional toll the family is experiencing, as Mi-hee has been struggling to cope with her daughter's trauma while also dealing with the stress of the media attention and her pregnancy.

  • mi-hee
  • faint
  • hospital
  • exhaustion
  • colostomy bag
Q3

Why does So-won vomit when returning home?

So-won vomits when passing the site where she was attacked because she experiences a traumatic flashback to the assault. The location triggers vivid memories of the violence she suffered, causing a physical reaction. This demonstrates that despite apparent healing progress, certain triggers still deeply affect her.

  • so-won
  • vomit
  • flashback
  • ptsd
  • trauma trigger
  • crime scene
Q4

Why does Young-seok feel guilty?

Young-seok feels guilty because he was supposed to be with So-won that morning but ditched her to buy snacks. If he had been with her, she would not have been walking alone when the attacker approached. His guilt drives him to visit Dong-hoon, apologize, and later advocate for accommodations at So-won's school.

  • young-seok
  • guilt
  • friend
  • apology
  • school
Q5

Why does So-won need a colostomy bag for life?

So-won needs a colostomy bag because the assault caused severe internal injuries that required emergency surgery. The doctors removed part of her intestines and created a stoma, which allows waste to be collected in the bag. This permanent physical change represents one of the lasting impacts of the trauma on her body.

  • colostomy bag
  • surgery
  • internal injuries
  • lifetime care
  • medical
Q6

Why is therapist Jung-sook so committed to helping So-won?

Jung-sook's intense dedication stems from her own tragic history: her own daughter experienced a similar assault and later died, and Jung-sook herself attempted suicide afterward. This personal connection to trauma drives her mission to help other survivors and their families, making her investment in So-won's recovery deeply personal.

  • jung-sook
  • therapist
  • backstory
  • daughter
  • suicide
  • commitment
Q7

What happens to the attacker in court?

So-won identifies her attacker in court for the second time, stating he smelled of alcohol during the assault. The man is sentenced to twelve years in prison. The verdict brings mixed emotions, relief for justice, but also renewed rage for Dong-hoon, who almost acts violently before So-won pleads to go home together.

  • court
  • attacker
  • sentenced
  • 12 years
  • justice
  • conviction
Q8

What does the paper plane at the end represent?

The paper plane at the end symbolizes So-won's recovery and hope for the future. After months of therapy, the birth of her brother, and gradual healing, she is finally able to engage in childhood activities again. The plane lifting into the air represents her resilience and the family's success in helping her find safety and joy again.

  • paper plane
  • ending
  • hope
  • recovery
  • symbolism
  • resilience
Q9

Why does So-won need to avoid male teachers at school?

So-won's fear of male teachers stems from her trauma. After the assault by a male stranger, she associates men, especially unfamiliar ones, with danger. The family and school accommodate this by limiting her contact with male teachers to reduce her anxiety and create a safer learning environment during her recovery.

  • male teachers
  • school
  • fear
  • accommodation
  • trauma response
Q10

How does the family help So-won manage her colostomy bag at school?

Dong-hoon helps So-won by creating a small bag filled with candy that she can use to cover any sounds from her colostomy bag, reducing her embarrassment around classmates. Young-seok also advocates at school to ensure staff understand her medical needs. These small interventions help So-won feel more comfortable returning to school.

  • candy bag
  • school
  • colostomy
  • embarrassment
  • adaptation

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hope, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hope tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about resilience and healing like Hope

Powerful stories of families or individuals healing from profound tragedy and pain. If you were moved by Hope's powerful story of recovery, explore more movies like it about resilience against trauma. These films share a journey from profound suffering towards healing, focusing on emotional strength, family bonds, and the hard-fought path to finding light after darkness.

  • heartbreaking
  • hopeful
  • resilient
  • somber
  • grieving
  • tender
  • Tone: hopeful, somber
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically begin with a devastating, life-altering event that shatters a character's world. The narrative then follows a methodical, often linear progression through the stages of grief, recovery, and rebuilding. The central conflict is internal, battling trauma, while external support systems like family or therapy provide the foundation for healing.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core narrative of confronting and overcoming severe trauma. They balance a heavy emotional weight with a hopeful, healing-focused tone, creating a specific emotional mix of profound sadness tempered by resilience and tender human connection.

Hope movie poster

Hope

2013
Hope movie poster

Hope

2014
The Kindness of Strangers movie poster

The Kindness of Strangers

2019
Stronger movie poster

Stronger

2017
The Tearsmith movie poster

The Tearsmith

2024
All Together Now movie poster

All Together Now

2020
Beautifully Broken movie poster

Beautifully Broken

2018
Courageous movie poster

Courageous

2011

Heavy emotional dramas with hopeful endings like Hope

Emotionally intense stories that find profound hope and light amid deep darkness. Searching for more movies like Hope that balance intense emotional weight with a hopeful message? This section collects powerful dramas that tackle difficult subjects head-on but ultimately leave you feeling uplifted and optimistic, focusing on healing and resilience after suffering.

  • emotionally heavy
  • somber
  • uplifting
  • gripping
  • resilient
  • tender
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting, somber
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves steering the audience through a sustained period of high emotional intensity caused by a central tragedy or conflict. The key differentiator is a consistent undercurrent of hope, often manifested through small acts of kindness, unwavering support systems, or a character's inner strength, which builds towards a cathartic and genuinely positive resolution.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their unique tonal balance: they maintain a high level of emotional intensity and heaviness throughout, yet are firmly anchored by a hopeful tone that prevents them from feeling bleak. The experience is defined by this specific contrast between deep sorrow and resilient light.

Hope movie poster

Hope

2013
All Together Now movie poster

All Together Now

2020
The Sky Is Falling movie poster

The Sky Is Falling

2000
The Kindness of Strangers movie poster

The Kindness of Strangers

2019
According to Greta movie poster

According to Greta

2009
Courageous movie poster

Courageous

2011
The Kindness of Strangers movie poster

The Kindness of Strangers

2020
The Tearsmith movie poster

The Tearsmith

2024

Every angle

Hope (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Hope in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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