Director: Lee Jiwon

Starring: Han Jimin, Kim Sia, Lee HeeJoon, Jeon Seokho

Origin and release year: South Korea (2018)

Miss Baek tells the story of a woman with a dark and heavy past who meets a young girl that is facing the same abuse and emotional torment at home. The young girl wants to run away and Miss Baek wants to embrace her as the mother she never had. Unfortunately, her background as an ex-convict complicates that.

Firstly, I would like to start off by saying that I was amazed by Kim Sia’s acting. I recently watched her in The Silent Sea and I’m amazed by her child acting skills.

Han Jimin’s acting was also a pleasant surprise. Her role was raw, gritty, and sometimes difficult to watch, but in the best way for this type of story. I’ve only ever seen her in lovely roles where her brightness shines, so I was intrigued by her ability to portray such a dark subject so well.

Miss Baek is a story with layered motifs such as child abuse, violence, substance abuse, etc.

The plot is emotionally taxing so it’s not a good watch for anyone who can’t bear the weight of it, but it tells the story of redemption and overcoming hurt.

One of the main messages I suppose was about how family is not always destined to be but sometimes chosen. It was really profound.

What did you think of Miss Baek?