Hanran (2025) Movie Review: Kim Hyang-gi's Heartbreaking Survival Story on Jeju Island
Hanran (2025) Review: Kim Hyang-gi's Heartbreaking Survival Story on Jeju Island
If you've been following Korean cinema, you probably know Kim Hyang-gi from the massive hit Along with the Gods or the drama Moment at Eighteen. But in 2025, she has returned with perhaps the most challenging role of her career in the movie Hanran (Hallan). Set against the tragic backdrop of the Jeju 4.3 Incident, this isn't just a historical film—it's a desperate, heart-pounding survival thriller about a mother and daughter separated by war. Here is everything you need to know about this critically acclaimed masterpiece.
🎬 Quick Info
- 📺 Title: Hanran (한란)
- 🎭 Genre: Historical Drama, Survival, Human
- 📅 Release Date: November 26, 2025
- 🌍 Where to Watch: Currently in Korean Theaters (Global Streaming TBA)
- 🌟 Cast: Kim Hyang-gi, Kim Min-chae, Hwang Jung-nam
- ⏱️ Runtime: 118 Minutes
🍿 Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The title Hanran refers to a "Winter Orchid"—a flower that blooms even in the harshest cold. The story takes place in 1948 on Jeju Island, during the infamous "Scorched Earth Operation," where anyone found more than 5km from the coastline was considered a rebel and executed.
Ajin (played by Kim Hyang-gi) is a 26-year-old Haenyeo (traditional female diver) and a widowed mother. To protect her 6-year-old daughter, Haesaeng, she flees into a cave deep within Hallasan Mountain. However, while Ajin briefly leaves to find food, a military raid separates them.
Now, the movie follows a heartbreaking dual journey: The mother must descend the mountain toward the burnt ruins of their village to find her child, while the young daughter, left alone, begins to climb up the freezing mountain to find her mom. It is a race against time, the bitter cold, and the ruthless tracking squad.
🔥 Why You Should Watch This
1. Kim Hyang-gi's Transformation
This is Kim Hyang-gi's 20th year acting, but it is her first time playing a mother. She reportedly learned the distinct Jeju dialect (which is difficult even for native Koreans) to near perfection via 1:1 coaching. Her portrayal of a mother who turns into a warrior to save her child is being praised as the performance of a lifetime.
2. A Meaningful Success Story
Hanran is a unique "investment success" story in the Korean indie film scene. It achieved 175% of its crowdfunding goal before release! It has already been invited to international festivals like the Aichi International Women's Film Festival, proving its story resonates globally, not just in Korea.
3. Breathtaking Realism
Director Ha Myung-mi, who has lived on Jeju for 10 years, refused to rely on green screens. The cast and crew filmed in -10°C (14°F) weather on the actual mountain. When you see the characters shivering in the snowstorm, it’s real. The cinematography captures both the beauty and the cruelty of Jeju's winter.
💡 Final Verdict
If you were moved by the historical depth of Pachinko or the cinematography of Mr. Sunshine, Hanran is a must-watch. It moves away from politics to focus on pure human survival and maternal love.
Prepare your tissues—this one is going to leave a mark on your heart.
