Return to Seoul digs deep into the roots of identity and belonging

RETURN to Seoul made waves at last year’s Cannes Film Festival for its unflinching look at the turbulent conflicts of identity and belonging. After a year of wowing filmgoers with its revelatory exploration of these themes, the internationally co-produced drama has finally made its way to Singapore – and not a moment too soon.

The film looks at personal identity through the eyes of Freddie (Park Ji-Min), a Korean-born French adoptee who returns to her homeland in search of her biological parents. In doing so, she opens a Pandora’s box of emotions as she questions who she really is. The question of “Who am I, and where do I belong?” is a universal one that anyone can relate to, regardless of background and birthright – which is why the movie has resonated with viewers.

The inherent violence of the film’s thematic conflict is embodied in its protagonist, Freddie. Bold and brash, the 25-year-old arrives in Seoul armed with an unflinchingly direct way of speaking and a tendency to act purely on impulse.