House of Hummingbird

House of Hummingbird

Year: 2018

Runtime: 135 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Kim Bora

Echo Score: 81
DramaMoving relationship storiesPowerful stories of heartbreak and sufferingTragic sadness and captivating beautyEmotional and touching family dramas

Eun-hee, a sensitive 14-year-old, navigates a difficult home life, feeling misunderstood and isolated. Seeking solace, she wanders her neighborhood with her best friend, embarking on adventures and experiencing the complexities of young love. Feeling neglected by her parents and mistreated by her brother, Eun-hee searches for moments of sweetness and connection amidst the challenges she faces.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – House of Hummingbird (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of House of Hummingbird (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1994

The story unfolds in the mid-1990s Seoul, a period of rapid economic and social transition in South Korea. The year features notable events, like the Seongsu Bridge collapse, which echoes the film's themes of fragility and loss. The time setting shapes daily life, schooling, and family dynamics for Eun-hee and her siblings.

Location

Seoul, South Korea

Set in Seoul in 1994, the film follows a working-class family navigating a city of crowded streets and hidden pressures. The capital's mix of old neighborhoods and rapid change provides the backdrop for Eun-hee's coming-of-age. The year is marked by social tensions, family struggles, and a city that bears witness to personal resilience.

🏙️ City life 🗓️ 1990s 🧭 Urban contrasts

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:16

Main Characters – House of Hummingbird (2018)

Meet the key characters of House of Hummingbird (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eun-hee (Park Ji-hu)

A quiet, observant 14-year-old from a working-class family who loves drawing and faces neglect from her parents while enduring abuse from her brother. Her resilience grows as she navigates friendship, crushes, illness, and a pivotal personal loss.

🎯 Protagonist 🎨 Artist 💪 Resilient

Eun-hee's Father

A controlling figure who often ignores Eun-hee's needs while prioritizing his other children. His cruelty is revealed to mask a deeper fear and care for his family, especially during moments of crisis, hinting at complexity beneath the abuse.

💢 Abusive 👨‍👧‍👦 Family 🔄 Transformation

Eun-hee's Mother

A presence in the background who shares the burden of family life and misses her children's daily lives. She embodies the quiet side of resilience within a household under strain, offering occasional warmth amid tension.

💗 Motherhood 🧩 Family dynamics 🌧️ Emotional weight

Ms. Kim (Head of an Academy)

A free-spirited teacher who recognizes Eun-hee's potential and encourages her to persevere. She becomes a mentor figure who inspires strength and hope, even as life pulls her away.

🌟 Mentor 📚 Education ✨ Inspiration

Yu-ri

A classmate who develops a crush on Eun-hee, offering a tender, if complex, friendship. Her later shift in feelings adds emotional complexity to Eun-hee's social world.

💞 Crush 👭 Friendship 🫂 Support

Ji-sook

A friend whose family is dealing with divorce, adding emotional tension to the group. Her own struggles intersect with Eun-hee's experiences of love and belonging.

👭 Friend 💔 Family 🧭 Guidance

Su-hee

A classmate who appears in Eun-hee's social circle, contributing to the web of friendships and social dynamics that shape her adolescence.

👧 Classmate 🕊️ Social world 🌀 Dynamics

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:16

Major Themes – House of Hummingbird (2018)

Explore the central themes of House of Hummingbird (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌱 Coming of Age

Eun-hee's adolescence is tested by poverty, abuse, and first love. The story tracks her growing sense of self, resilience, and determination to pursue art and a better future. Friendship and mentors help her navigate heartbreaks and harsh realities, highlighting a messy but hopeful transition to adulthood.

🏠 Family & Home

The film scrutinizes parental neglect and protective love within a working-class family. Siblings support each other even as households struggle under pressure and violence. The home becomes a site of both hurt and learning, shaping Eun-hee's reactions to trust and loyalty.

🏥 Health & Hospital

A medical crisis reveals vulnerability and the costs of suffering. Eun-hee's tumor diagnosis and surgery become pivotal moments of fear, courage, and personal growth. The hospital scenes underscore the fragility of life and the strength found in recovery and support from friends and family.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:16

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Unlock the Full Story of House of Hummingbird

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

House of Hummingbird Summary

Read a complete plot summary of House of Hummingbird, 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.

House of Hummingbird Summary

House of Hummingbird Timeline

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

House of Hummingbird Timeline

House of Hummingbird Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of House of Hummingbird 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.

House of Hummingbird Spoiler-Free Summary

More About House of Hummingbird

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about House of Hummingbird: 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 House of Hummingbird

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