Treeless Mountain

Jin is a bright and intelligent girl living with her mother and younger sister, Bin. Despite her academic excellence, she struggles with household responsibilities and experiences occasional bedwetting incidents.

Upon returning home one day, Jin discovers that their family's apartment is being emptied of furniture. This shocking event raises concerns about their living situation and forces their mother to seek help.

In an effort to provide stability, their mother takes Jin and Bin to live with their paternal aunt, known as Big Aunt, outside the city. She leaves them with a piggy bank, promising that Big Aunt will reward their good behavior.

Jin struggles with the absence of her mother, crying frequently and losing her appetite, while Bin manages to cope more effectively. Their emotional turmoil is palpable as they adjust to their new life.

As they settle in, Bin develops a friendship with a neighborhood boy who has Down syndrome. His caring mother offers kindness toward the girls, noting their struggles, which provides them a bit of comfort.

The girls quickly realize that Big Aunt is an alcoholic, often too hung over to care for them properly. This leaves Jin and Bin to fend for themselves as they navigate their new environment.

Inspired by a local boy's gift of roasted grasshoppers, Jin and Bin decide to start cooking and selling them to fill their piggy bank. Their new venture brings in some money initially, lifting their spirits.

As summer wanes and the grasshopper supply dwindles, Bin cleverly devises a plan to make change from their higher-value coins. This boosts their savings significantly, giving them hope.

The sisters attempt to contact their mother using a young man’s cell phone but find the number disconnected. They cling to hope, waiting at the last bus stop they saw her, despite her absence.

Eventually, Big Aunt reveals that she received a letter from their mother, who admits her struggles with luck and their father. She suggests sending the girls to stay with their maternal grandparents to provide for them better.

The girls arrive at their grandparents' farm, where they face their grandfather's displeasure over their presence. This new living arrangement adds another layer of challenge to their lives.

Despite their grandfather's reaction, their grandmother welcomes them with warmth and kindness. She ushers them into their modest yet lively home, providing a stark contrast to their recent experiences.

When the girls express the need for winter shoes, they realize their grandmother's footwear is in tatters. With love and kindness, they decide to offer her their piggy bank, wishing to help her obtain new shoes.

Though Jin and Bin have lost trust in their mother due to her absence, they make a poignant promise to each other. They pinky swear that their mother will eventually come back for them, symbolizing their hope and bond.