I Want to Know Your Parents (2022) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the polished corridors of Haneum International School, a devastating tragedy forces a disparate group of adults to confront a painful reality that quietly simmers beneath the school’s gleaming surface. When an eighth‑grader’s final act leaves a list of names, the institution summons the families of those implicated, turning a place of learning into a crucible of accusation, guilt, and uneasy solidarity. The atmosphere is tense, a blend of institutional poise and simmering unease, as each parent wrestles with the expectations of their roles and the shadows of their children’s actions.

At the heart of the gathering is Kang Ho‑chang, a meticulous lawyer whose professional instincts clash with his paternal concerns. Beside him stands Song Jeong‑wook, a dedicated teacher whose dedication to her students places her in the eye of the storm, and Jung, a math instructor whose analytical mind now must parse emotional chaos. Across the table, Park Mu‑Taek, a retired police officer, brings a seasoned, law‑and‑order perspective, while his wife offers a quieter, grounding presence. Do Ji‑yeol, a respected doctor, adds another layer of authority, yet all share the unsettling feeling of being out of their depth. The school’s principal, ever mindful of reputation, attempts to steer the conversation, highlighting the fragile balance between protecting an institution’s image and confronting uncomfortable truths.

The film’s tone is a measured, almost clinical examination of how bullying reverberates beyond the playground, pulling in families, educators, and the broader community into a legal and moral maze. It asks what responsibility looks like when a child’s suffering becomes a public reckoning, and how the bonds of parenthood and professionalism can both shield and expose hidden flaws. Through whispered conversations, restrained glances, and a palpable undercurrent of dread, the story invites viewers to explore the complex interplay of innocence, accountability, and the quiet desperation to restore a sense of order in the aftermath of tragedy.