Mi-sseu-baek

Miss Baek (2018)

My thoughts: This can be a tough watch at times because of its depictions of child abuse. The story reminded me somewhat of the film A Girl at My Door, though I don't think Miss Baek was quite as strong or impactful as that one.

Still, I enjoyed the film overall. The chemistry between Baek Sang-ah (Han Ji-min) and Ji-eun (Kim Si-a) felt genuine and convincing. Their relationship managed to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking, often simultaneously.

Lee Hee-jun, who plays detective Jang-seop, delivered another solid performance. He seems to pop up frequently in the Korean films I watch, always reliable and authentic in his roles.

While it didn't quite reach the heights of similar films for me, Miss Baek still provides an emotional and engaging story worth watching.

Review written by artist jayakumar jrain.

Shocking story for sure but just too hard to believe that South Korean police, family services and child safety could be that grossly pathetic. The timing of various events were also just too convenient.

May be the story is a little bit unbelievable , but the play of the 2 main characters are really incredible. Is like a miracle the way the director lead such a dramatic story to the end. I note 8 , but is 8,5.

Brutally simple child-abuse drama, with the usual South Korean penchant for sadism I've come to know pretty well by now. Which is to say I entered expecting blood, so unpleasant moments are present, but also no surprises in this regard. What surprised me is how Lee Ji-Won keeps it all tight and focused. Instead of relying on long, pointless moments of gratuitous violence and desperation, Miss Baek shows what's enough, and maybe just a little more, to understand lives forever ruined by a horrible childhood. Thus a tale of compassion and revenge becomes an attempt at reconciliation with one's own past and memories. Amidst the horror, tenderness is abundant, and that's when Miss Baek works better for me. The final shot is nothing less than heartbreaking.

We are all (maybe) medically fit to be a parents, but are we all fit to raise a child?! Some of us think that child is just a nuisance and not a bless. And also, if we were abused as a child, would we also become an abuser later?! Couldn't we breakout of this vicious cycle and become a good parents?! This movie deals with that issue in every aspects, making it a balance movie.

Good script, good direction and good acting.

Definitely 9/10.