Spirits’ Homecoming

The events unfold in 1943, during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The story moves between the Korean homeland and Manchuria, where forced prostitution and wartime brutality dominate daily life. The harsh climate of the war shapes the girls’ choices, resilience, and eventual acts of defiance.

Most action unfolds in Manchuria, within cramped brothel rooms and makeshift hideouts where the girls are kept. The narrative also contrasts life back in Korea, showing poverty and quiet family moments before the war tore them apart. The setting shifts between occupied Korean homeland and conquest territories, illustrating how the conflict reaches into every aspect of the girls’ lives.

🪖 War Oppression

Forced service, language suppression, and constant control reveal the scale of oppression under occupation. The girls endure dehumanizing brutality from soldiers and a system meant to erase their identities. Yet the narrative also highlights courage and small acts of resistance amid pervasive cruelty.

🤝 Resilience

Jung-min and Young-hee form protective bonds and orchestrate an escape plan under overwhelming danger. They sustain hope through moments of kindness and mutual care, even in the darkest circumstances. The presence of guerrilla support later reinforces collective resilience across generations.

💭 Memory

Memory frames the film as survivors recount experiences to keep history alive for younger generations. An elderly survivor and a shamanic disciple help channel voices from the past into present rituals. The homecoming rite binds the living to those lost and keeps memory a living, actionable force.

🕊️ Healing

The homecoming ritual and ritual storytelling offer pathways toward healing from collective trauma. Speaking out, despite apathy from authorities, marks a step toward reconciliation. Jung-min’s spirit’s return provides closure and a bridge across generations.