[News Culture] Hana Korea, a fact-inspired drama that premiered to positive reviews at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, has unveiled its first main trailer ahead of its theatrical release.
Led by Pachinko star Kim Min-ha, alongside Squid Game actress Kim Joo-ryoung and Okja breakout Ahn Seo-hyun, the film follows the journey of Hye-sun, a North Korean defector determined to build a new life despite the uncertainties and hardships that await her.
The newly released trailer opens with Hye-sun seated alone on an airplane before being approached by South Korean intelligence officers who verify her identity. As she arrives in South Korea and prepares to enter Hanawon, the government resettlement center for North Korean defectors, the film begins charting her transition into an unfamiliar society.
Scenes from Hanawon highlight the challenges of adaptation, from learning everyday routines to navigating cultural norms that many South Koreans take for granted. The trailer presents these moments with restraint, underscoring the emotional and practical realities faced by those starting over in an entirely new environment.
A recurring line from Hye-sun's mother — "Live like a venomous snake" — serves as a reminder of the hardships she endured before reaching South Korea. The phrase becomes both a survival mantra and an expression of longing for the family she left behind.
As Hye-sun pursues her dream of studying and creating a future on her own terms, the film explores the obstacles that continue to shape her journey. Working part-time jobs and confronting social barriers, she remains determined to move forward, declaring, "I came here holding my life in one hand."
The trailer also offers a glimpse of her growing friendship with Bo-mi, played by Ahn Seo-hyun, as the two begin life in Seoul together. Yet moments of isolation persist, from struggling with the subway system to quietly taking in the city's vast skyline, reinforcing the sense of displacement at the heart of the story.
The film closes its preview with Hye-sun asking, "Will I ever be able to call this place home?" — a question that frames the drama's broader themes of belonging, migration and identity.
Kim Joo-ryoung plays Sook-hee, a figure who offers empathy and support, while Ahn Seo-hyun brings warmth and optimism to the role of Bo-mi. The project is directed by Danish filmmaker Frederik Sølberg and co-written with Choi Sung-jae, also known internationally as Sharon Choi.
A Korea-Denmark co-production, Hana Korea is scheduled to open in theaters on July 8.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press.
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