Piety

A teenager facing a malignant brain tumor who longs for independence while navigating his mother’s overpowering care. His illness amplifies the push-pull between seeking freedom and remaining dependent on others. HeEndures coercive dynamics at home even as he confronts life-altering medical treatment.

Mateo’s mother, whose protective love turns possessive and controlling. She negotiates her son’s independence through manipulation and medication, masking fear of abandonment with relentless care. Her arc probes the danger of unconditional guardianship and the price of keeping a loved one close.

Libertad’s ex-husband whose life remains entangled with her controlling influence. His failed relationship with Libertad surfaces through a suicide attempt and a complex web of dependency. Their reunion reveals an incompatible dynamic masked by need and history.

Roberto’s wife who resents Libertad’s grip on those around her. She becomes a conduit for envy and tension within the family, while also navigating the couple’s evolving situation and the prospect of a new child.

A psychologist who attempts to help Mateo, but is frustrated by Libertad’s interference. She represents a therapeutic voice pushing for Mateo’s independence while navigating Libertad’s boundary-pushing behaviors.

A high-ranking North Korean officer who orders the execution of his daughters for attempting to escape. His later flight with his wife Cheong exposes the fragility and brutality of authoritarian life, as they adjust to exile in Seoul.

Taeyang’s wife who endures an unstable life shaped by political danger and personal strain. She exhibits resilience and pragmatism as they navigate exile, while her actions reveal the complicated dynamics of survival and complicity.

A hospital nurse who interacts with Mateo during his diagnosis and treatment, representing the medical system's presence in his life and the clinical side of care.