Secret Sunshine 2010

As Lee Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon) navigates the winding roads of Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, the weight of her husband’s passing still lingers. With her only child Jun by her side, she endeavors to rebuild their lives in the very town where her late spouse had once called home. However, their arrival is marked by a series of misfortunes, including a car breakdown that brings them into contact with local mechanic Kim Jong-chan (Song Kang-ho), whose benevolent nature earns him the moniker “Good Samaritan.”

As Shin-ae struggles to find her footing in this new environment, she encounters a chance acquaintance – a middle-school girl – whose father is Jun’s daycare teacher, Park Do-seop. Meanwhile, a mysterious pharmacist reaches out to Shin-ae with an enigmatic message: that the solution to her troubles lies in believing in God. Though skeptical at first, Shin-ae heeds the pharmacist’s words and takes up scripture.

In the midst of this newfound introspection, Shin-ae and Jun engage in a playful prank, where Shin-ae feigns forgetfulness, only to be reminded that life is full of unexpected twists. Her brother’s sudden visit from Seoul serves as a poignant reminder of her past, rekindling old wounds and insecurities. As Shin-ae attempts to rebuild her life anew, the specter of her husband’s infidelity continues to haunt her.

As night falls, Shin-ae returns home late from an evening out, only to discover that Jun is nowhere to be found. A chilling phone call – later revealed as a ransom demand from Jun’s kidnapper – sends her into a panic, prompting her to empty her bank account in a desperate bid to secure her child’s safe return. Her world shattered by the brutal truth, Shin-ae is forced to confront the depths of her own desperation and deception.

As the investigation unfolds, Shin-ae’s life becomes increasingly intertwined with that of Kim Jong-chan, whose quiet concern and unwavering support prove a balm to her troubled soul. Meanwhile, a chance encounter with the mysterious girl leads Shin-ae down a path of spiritual discovery, as she begins to find solace in the teachings of the pharmacist who had first reached out to her.

In the aftermath of Jun’s tragic demise at the hands of Park Do-seop, Shin-ae finds herself drawn into a world of faith and redemption. As she comes to terms with the loss of her child, Jong-chan remains steadfast by her side, his presence a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for healing and renewal.

The seemingly ordinary day at home for Shin-ae takes an unsettling turn when she stumbles upon a young boy from Jun’s daycare in her bathroom, leaving her voiceless and unable to intervene as the little girl is mercilessly bullied. This stark reminder of the harsh realities outside her comfort zone serves as a precursor to the tumultuous events that unfold.

As Shin-ae celebrates her birthday with her church friends, she declares her intention to visit Park Do-seop in prison, seeking forgiveness for his past transgressions. Her friend Jong-chan is perplexed by this decision, yet accompanies her on the journey. In a shocking twist, Do-seop reveals that he has found God and been absolved of his sins, leaving Shin-ae reeling from the implications. This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for the complexities that lie ahead.

Shin-ae’s life takes another dramatic turn when she pilfers a CD featuring the song “Lies” from a local store and broadcasts it through a loudspeaker at a gathering where people are expressing gratitude to God. Later that night, she receives a mysterious phone call, which she insists is from the kidnapper, only to have Jong-chan dismiss her concerns and arrange a dinner date for the following day. However, Shin-ae’s nocturnal escapades continue as she seduces the pharmacist’s husband, only to be left unsatisfied and reeling with disappointment. The evening culminates in a harrowing encounter when she confronts Jong-chan, who rejects her advances with anger.

The trajectory of Shin-ae’s life takes another dark turn as she is found unconscious at home, having slashed her wrists in a desperate attempt to cope with the turmoil within. Her journey from hospital to recovery is marked by a series of poignant encounters that slowly begin to unravel the complexities of her psyche.

As Jong-chan takes her to a salon where a familiar face now works as a hairstylist, Shin-ae’s past begins to surface. The young woman reveals a troubled history, having fallen in with the wrong crowd and ultimately landing in juvenile detention before dropping out of school. As the cutting scissors begin their rhythmic dance on her hair, Shin-ae slips away from the salon, leaving Jong-chan’s concerned gaze behind. Back at home, she resumes her self-destructive behavior, this time with scissors, as Jong-chan enters the room, offering to hold up a mirror for her reflection.