Mother

In a quaint town in southern South Korea, an unnamed widow supports her life by selling medicinal herbs. She also provides unlicensed acupuncture treatments to local women, helping them cope with painful memories.

The widow raises her shy son, Yoon Do-joon, who suffers from intellectual disability. She is fiercely protective of him, often scolding him for associating with Jin-tae, a local thug.

After a near-accident, Do-joon succumbs to frustration and vandalizes a car. This reckless act results in a lawsuit that adds further burden on his already struggling mother.

The tragedy escalates when Do-joon, following a high school girl named Moon Ah-jung, leads to her body being discovered the next day on a rooftop. Her shocking death sends the community into turmoil and creates a media frenzy.

Circumstantial evidence points to Do-joon as the prime suspect in Ah-jung's murder, leading to his arrest. Despite the accusations, his mother firmly believes in his innocence and resolves to prove it.

In her quest to exonerate her son, the widow begins investigating Ah-jung's life. She faces challenges from her self-centered lawyer and an unfriendly community, all while believing in her son's innocence.

Desperate for answers, the widow breaks into Jin-tae's home, suspecting him of being the true culprit behind Ah-jung's death. Although she discovers what she thinks is a blood-stained golf club, it turns out to be lipstick.

The mother learns of Ah-jung's troubled relationships and that she had been involved with Jong-pal, a boy who escaped from a sanatorium. This information adds complexity to the investigation.

During a visit to Do-joon in prison, he recalls a traumatic childhood event related to his mother. The poignant memory sheds light on their troubled relationship and hints at deeper issues that need addressing.

The mother uncovers that Ah-jung owned a cellphone with potentially incriminating evidence before witnessing an assault on Ah-jung's friend. This phone is crucial to uncovering the truth.

Do-joon identifies a junk collector from photos on Ah-jung's phone. Pretending to offer medical assistance, the collector revealed he witnessed Do-joon's accidental involvement in Ah-jung's death, intensifying the mother's anguish.

The police apprehend Jong-pal, who insists that blood on his shirt is from a consensual encounter with Ah-jung. The mother feels empathy for Jong-pal, recognizing the shared pain of being a son without support.

As Do-joon's release from prison approaches, he and Jin-tae visit the ashes of the collector's home. Reflecting on the events, Do-joon begins to contemplate the complicated nature of guilt and intention.

Before leaving for a bus tour, Do-joon discovers his mother's acupuncture kit in the wreckage. This finding prompts his mother to confront her past and the shared guilt she feels with her son.

Ultimately, the mother participates in a celebratory dance with other parents on the bus. This act signifies her choice to move forward and erase the painful memories of their shared past.