House of Hummingbird

In 1994 Seoul, 14-year-old Eun-hee lives a quiet, working-class life. She loves drawing and attends cram school with her best friend Ji-suk, while secretly dating Ji-wan. Her parents are distant and her older brother's abuse weighs on her daily existence.

At cram school, a free-spirited Chinese teacher named Ms. Kim arrives and quickly becomes a mentor and confidante for Eun-hee. Their bond offers Eun-hee a sense of hope and a new perspective on her life. Ms. Kim's presence injects warmth into Eun-hee's days.

During a shoplifting incident, Ji-suk betrays Eun-hee by revealing her identity to their father, triggering a harsh punishment. The betrayal deepens Eun-hee's mistrust and fuels tension with Ji-suk. This event marks a turning point in their friendship.

Ji-wan is forced to break up with Eun-hee after his wealthy mother discovers her lower social status. The split underscores the class divides shaping Eun-hee's life. She confronts the social barriers that constrain her love life.

Ms. Kim urges Eun-hee to keep her spirit and move forward despite the hardships. This encouragement strengthens Eun-hee's resolve and deepens her attachment to her teacher. Eun-hee begins to rely on Ms. Kim for emotional support.

Doctors discover a lump behind Eun-hee's ear that requires surgical removal. The diagnosis adds fear to her already fragile life and forces her to face a serious medical ordeal. The anticipation of surgery becomes a central pressure point.

Eun-hee's father breaks down in tears, revealing that he does care for her even if he can be harsh. This moment humanizes him and gives Eun-hee a glimmer of reassurance. The emotional display strengthens her courage ahead of the operation.

The surgery is performed and proves successful, and Eun-hee begins the slow path to recovery. In the hospital, Ji-suk apologizes for betraying her, and Yu-ri confesses a crush on Eun-hee, which Eun-hee seems to reciprocate. The hospital visits bring complex, hopeful emotions to the surface.

Ms. Kim leaves her teaching position, and Eun-hee hopes to thank her in person. A scheduling error prevents her from meeting Ms. Kim as she returns to collect her things, keeping the two apart at a crucial moment. The missed connection adds a layer of melancholy to Eun-hee's recovery.

Back home, Eun-hee's brother strikes her so violently that she tears her eardrum. A doctor suggests she press charges, but she declines, choosing to withdraw rather than escalate the conflict. The family's dysfunction continues to ripple through Eun-hee's life.

One day at school, the Seongsu Bridge collapses, triggering fear for Eun-hee's sister who travels a bus route that day. Her sister survives because she is late on her ride, and her brother's tears reveal a rare moment of tenderness. The disaster marks a watershed in the family’s emotional landscape.

In the aftermath, Eun-hee discovers that Ms. Kim was killed in the bridge collapse. She later learns this fact through a package containing a letter and sketchbook from Ms. Kim, but realizes the tragedy occurred the day before the package arrived. The revelation reframes the memory of her mentor.

Early the next morning, Eun-hee and her siblings view the collapsed bridge and grieve together. They share a morning meal in a rare moment of harmony, and Eun-hee rereads Ms. Kim's final letter, which promises that good experiences follow bad ones. She stands in the schoolyard, mature and at peace.

As the new semester begins, Eun-hee experiences a shift in perspective. Yu-ri openly tells her the crush is over, and Eun-hee is left to reflect on herself and her relationships. She stands alone in the schoolyard with a sense of quiet maturity and acceptance.