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Psychokinesis (2018) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Psychokinesis (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 101 min · Korean
Echo score 77
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Directed by
Sang-ho Yeon
Starring
Jung-min Park, Do-yoon Kim, Eun-kyung Shim, Hang-ho Tae, Hwang Yeon-hee, Min-jae Kim

A man develops psychokinetic abilities and uses them to try and mend his fractured relationship with his estranged daughter. As she faces a desperate situation, he must master his newfound powers and race against time to protect her and prevent her from losing everything she has.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Psychokinesis
  8. 8 Every angle
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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Psychokinesis Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Psychokinesis (2018), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Shin Roo-mi

    Roo-mi is the determined owner of a fried chicken restaurant who tirelessly fights to protect her business from demolition. Her character embodies resilience and tenacity, especially following the tragic loss of her mother. Throughout the film, she evolves from a victim of circumstance to a leader rallying her community against injustice.

    • 💪 Strong
    • 🍗 Entrepreneur
    • 💔 Grief
  • Shin Seok-heon

    played by Jung-min Park

    Seok-heon, Roo-mi's estranged father, transforms from a petty criminal to a heroic figure with telekinetic powers. His journey is one of redemption as he seeks to mend his broken relationship with Roo-mi while helping her stand against the forces threatening their community. His character adds depth to the narrative of familial bonds and personal growth.

    • ⚡ Telekinetic
    • 🛡️ Protector
    • 💔 Estranged Father
  • Kim Jung-hyun

    played by Do-yoon Kim

    Kim Jung-hyun serves as Roo-mi's ally, supporting her in her battle against Tae-san. His character embodies loyalty and hope, especially as he advocates for the local business owners. His relationship with Roo-mi evolves into a romantic one, showcasing themes of love and partnership amidst chaos.

    • 💖 Supportive
    • ⚔️ Allies
    • 👔 Lawyer
  • President Min

    President Min is the antagonist representing Tae-san, driven by profit and greed. His character is portrayed as ruthless and manipulative, attempting to exploit situations for corporate gain. Min’s interactions with Roo-mi highlight his cold indifference to the human cost of development.

    • 💰 Greedy
    • 🚧 Corporate
    • 🎭 Antagonist

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:18

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Setting

Where and When Does Psychokinesis Take Place?

The setting of Psychokinesis (2018): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The narrative transcends specific historical events but reflects ongoing struggles in modern urban environments where small businesses often clash with corporate interests. It explores themes of community resilience in the face of gentrification and the pursuit of justice.

Location

Traditional Market, Roo-mi's Restaurant, Tae-san's Construction Site

The movie primarily takes place in a bustling traditional market, known for its small businesses that serve the local community. Roo-mi's fried chicken restaurant is a staple in the area, celebrated for its flavorful offerings and warm atmosphere. It faces the looming threat of demolition by Tae-san, a construction company intent on transforming the landscape into a shopping center.

  • 🏙️ Market
  • 🍗 Restaurant
  • 🚧 Construction

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:18

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3 major themes

Psychokinesis Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Psychokinesis (2018) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Justice

    Justice plays a fundamental role in the film, as Roo-mi and the local business owners unite against the corrupt practices of the Tae-san construction company. Their struggle is depicted as a battle for their livelihoods and community against the odds. Seok-heon's emergence as a protector with telekinetic abilities symbolizes the fight for justice and empowerment against oppression.

  • Family

    Family dynamics are prominently explored, particularly between Roo-mi and her estranged father, Seok-heon. Their relationship is strained due to past abandonment, but the tragedy of loss forces them to confront their shared past. This theme emphasizes the importance of reconciling familial ties amidst adversity.

  • Struggle

    The theme of struggle encapsulates the characters’ fight against an overwhelming force represented by Tae-san’s aggressive expansion. Roo-mi’s personal battle for her restaurant and community reflects broader societal issues, showcasing resilience and determination in the face of hardships and loss.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:18

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Character & theme questions

Psychokinesis Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Psychokinesis (2018): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie's main setting located?

The story takes place in a bustling traditional market in an urban environment, featuring small local businesses that serve the community. Roo-mi's fried chicken restaurant is a central location in this market, known for its flavorful food and warm atmosphere.

  • traditional market
  • urban setting
  • restaurant
  • local businesses
Q2

What is the main conflict in the market?

The market faces demolition by a construction company called Tae-san, which plans to transform the area into a shopping center. Roo-mi and other local business owners must fight to save their livelihoods and their community from this corporate development.

  • demolition
  • gentrification
  • construction
  • small businesses
  • corporate development
Q3

When does Psychokinesis take place?

The movie is set in a contemporary modern urban environment. While no specific year is mentioned, it reflects current struggles faced by small businesses in cities dealing with gentrification and corporate expansion.

  • modern era
  • contemporary
  • urban environment
Q4

What role does justice play in the film?

Justice is a central theme as Roo-mi and local business owners unite against the corrupt practices of Tae-san's construction company. Seok-heon's emergence as a protector with telekinetic abilities symbolizes the fight for justice and empowerment against corporate oppression.

  • justice
  • corruption
  • community
  • empowerment
Q5

How does the film explore family relationships?

The film prominently explores the strained relationship between Roo-mi and her estranged father Seok-heon. Their bond was broken by past abandonment, but a tragedy forces them to reconcile and work together, emphasizing the importance of family ties amidst adversity.

  • family
  • estranged father
  • reconciliation
  • daughter father relationship
Q6

What does the struggle theme represent in the movie?

The struggle theme represents the characters' fight against overwhelming corporate forces. Roo-mi's personal battle to save her restaurant reflects broader societal issues of resilience and determination against hardships, loss, and corporate exploitation.

  • struggle
  • resilience
  • fight
  • hardship
  • community
Q7

Who is Roo-mi and what is her role in the story?

Roo-mi is the owner of a fried chicken restaurant in the traditional market. She is a resilient and determined character who fights to protect her business from demolition while rallying her community against injustice. After losing her mother, she evolves from a victim into a community leader.

  • Roo-mi
  • restaurant owner
  • resilient
  • community leader
Q8

Who is Seok-heon and what is his role?

Seok-heon is Roo-mi's estranged father who transforms from a petty criminal into a heroic figure. After gaining telekinetic powers, he seeks redemption by helping Roo-mi protect their community from Tae-san's construction company while trying to mend their broken relationship.

  • Seok-heon
  • estranged father
  • redemption
  • telekinetic powers
Q9

Who is the antagonist in Psychokinesis?

President Min represents the Tae-san construction company and serves as the main antagonist. He is portrayed as ruthless and manipulative, driven by profit and greed. He attempts to exploit situations for corporate gain and shows cold indifference to the human cost of development.

  • President Min
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • corporate greed
Q10

How does Seok-heon gain his powers?

Seok-heon develops psychokinetic abilities, though the exact origin of these powers is not detailed in the provided context. He uses these telekinetic powers to protect his daughter and the community, becoming a superhero-like figure in the story.

  • telekinesis
  • psychokinesis
  • supernatural powers
  • superhero
Q11

What is Kim Jung-hyun's role in the film?

Kim Jung-hyun is Roo-mi's loyal ally who supports her in the battle against Tae-san's demolition plans. He advocates for the local business owners and his relationship with Roo-mi evolves into a romantic partnership, showcasing themes of love and support amidst conflict.

  • Kim Jung-hyun
  • ally
  • romantic interest
  • loyalty
Q12

Does the movie address gentrification?

Yes, the movie reflects ongoing urban struggles where small businesses clash with corporate interests. The demolition of the traditional market to make way for a shopping center represents gentrification, and the film portrays the community's resilience in fighting this displacement.

  • gentrification
  • corporate development
  • small business conflict
  • urban change
Q13

What is the overall tone and outcome of the movie?

Despite high-intensity scenes involving conflict and violence, the film maintains a hopeful tone anchored by redemption themes. The ending is unambiguously happy, the family is reunited, the community prevails against the corporate threat, and the telekinetic father successfully protects his daughter.

  • hopeful ending
  • redemption
  • family reunited
  • community victory

Movie threads

More Movies Like Psychokinesis, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Psychokinesis tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Flawed Heroes with Superpowers like in Psychokinesis

Ordinary, imperfect people who gain incredible abilities for a personal cause. Find more movies like Psychokinesis where everyday people gain extraordinary abilities. If you enjoyed the story of a flawed father using telekinesis to save his daughter, you'll love these similar superhero tales focused on personal redemption, family, and using powers for intimate, heartfelt causes.

  • action-packed
  • uplifting
  • emotional
  • thrilling
  • redemptive
  • playful
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting
  • Pacing: fast, action-packed
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows an ordinary character who acquires supernatural powers, often by accident. Instead of embracing a classic hero role, they initially use the powers for selfish or clumsy reasons, but a personal crisis—usually involving family or friends—forces them to master their abilities and become a hero on a smaller, more personal scale.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a focus on character-driven superhero stories. They blend high-concept action with emotional depth, prioritizing a character's personal growth and relationships over world-ending stakes. The mix of spectacle and heartfelt drama creates a uniquely accessible and uplifting superhero experience.

Community vs. Corporate Greed stories like Psychokinesis

A small community bands together to fight back against powerful, exploitative forces. Explore more movies similar to Psychokinesis where a local community fights back against corporate threats. If you liked the theme of a father and his daughter's neighborhood resisting violent developers, you'll enjoy these thrilling stories of social justice and collective resistance.

  • tense
  • hopeful
  • thrilling
  • emotional
  • action-packed
  • social justice
  • Tone: hopeful, tense
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot centers on a community being threatened by a faceless corporation seeking to displace or destroy them for profit. A reluctant hero, often connected to the community, emerges to lead the resistance. The story escalates through acts of defiance, leading to a climactic confrontation where the community's solidarity is their greatest strength.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared thematic core of social justice and grassroots resistance. They combine tense, high-stakes conflict with a hopeful, uplifting tone, celebrating the power of collective action. The experience is both thrilling and emotionally satisfying, as the underdog community rallies against overwhelming odds.

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Movies Like Psychokinesis

Similar movies to Psychokinesis: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Psychokinesis (2018) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Psychokinesis in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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