Inspired by real events, Hana Korea follows Hyesun (Kim Minha), a young North Korean refugee who has just arrived in South Korea. Hyesun struggles to adapt to her new life, as she confronts the emotional and cultural toll of leaving her past behind while trying to find her place in society.

A Korean-Danish co-production, the film is written and directed by Danish filmmaker Frederik Sølberg in his narrative feature debut, following his award-winning documentary Doel (2018). The screenplay was co-written with Sharon Choi, who is known for her collaboration with director Bong Joon Ho on Parasite (2019). Kim Minha’s performance blurs the boundary between fiction and documentary, capturing the realities without exaggeration or simplification, while quietly conveying the weight of a new life.

Eunji Lee