Return to Seoul
Return to Seoul

Return to Seoul

2022
Movie
119 min
French

After an impulsive travel decision to visit friends, Freddie, 25, returns to South Korea for the first time, where she was born before being adopted and raised in France. Freddie suddenly finds herself embarking on an unexpected journey in a country she knows so little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions.

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Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users77%
Director: Davy ChouGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

Freddie, a young French woman of Korean descent, impulsively decides to explore her roots, returning to South Korea for the first time since her adoption. Her journey becomes a whirlwind of self-discovery as she navigates unfamiliar cultural landscapes and reconnects with her birth parents. Along the way, she grapples with her identity, facing the complexities of belonging and the unexpected turns her search for connection takes.

Critical Reception

Return to Seoul received widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its raw emotional power, Park Ji-min's captivating performance, and its nuanced exploration of identity and belonging. Critics praised Davy Chou's sensitive direction and the film's unflinching portrayal of a complex personal journey.

What Reviewers Say

  • A powerful and affecting exploration of identity, belonging, and the complexities of adoption.
  • Park Ji-min delivers a mesmerizing and fearless performance at the heart of the film.
  • Davy Chou directs with sensitivity and a keen eye for emotional nuance.

Google audience: Viewers praised the film's emotional depth and Park Ji-min's standout performance, with many finding the exploration of identity and cultural connection to be thought-provoking and resonant. Some viewers found the narrative pace to be challenging at times, but the overall sentiment was highly positive.

Awards & Accolades

Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section; nominated for Best Film at the César Awards.

Fun Fact

Park Ji-min, who plays Freddie, was discovered by director Davy Chou through a friend and had no prior acting experience before taking on the role.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I think I may have warmed to this film better had I not taken an instant dislike to "Freddie" (Park Ji-min). Now it's certainly a testament to this actor that she is able to successfully - and pretty immediately - engender a sense that her ...