Actor Kim Min-ha in a scene from "Hana Korea" / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
A new cinematic collaboration between South Korea and Denmark is set to hit local theaters in July to offer an emotional and realistic look into the challenges faced by North Korean defectors settling in South Korean society.
The film “Hana Korea” follows the journey of a young female defector named Hye-seon (Kim Min-ha), who strives to move forward despite facing an unfamiliar and harsh environment. The story is inspired by in-depth interviews with around 30 North Korean defectors who have settled in the South.
The title of the film directly connects to Hanawon, officially named the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees, where defectors stay to prepare for their new lives.
The name combines the Korean word "hana," meaning one, and "won," meaning facility. This reflects the center's core mission to help defectors adapt and truly become "one" with South Korean society, explaining why the movie is called “Hana Korea.”
