Do You See Seoul? 2008

The story unfolds as a journey through time, intertwining the life of Kil-Su, now a teacher in Seoul, with the vivid memories of his childhood on the island of Sindo.

In the present day, as the summer vacation approaches, Kil-Su dreams of taking his students on a trip to Sindo. However, facing opposition from skeptical parents, he embarks on the journey alone, reminiscing about his childhood and the teacher who inspired him.

The narrative transports us back to 1976, where the boy Kil-Su shoulders the responsibility of caring for his little sister while his dad struggles with alcoholism and his mom has left the family seeking a better life in Seoul. In the small school of Sindo, the caring Eun-yong is the only teacher, offering warmth and guidance to the children.

A burst of excitement sweeps through the island’s children when a Seoul cookie factory invites them for a visit. But their parents, worried about money and the city’s impact on the children, resist. Despite parental disapproval, the kids—captivated by the chance of seeing a real bicycle in the big city, and encouraged by their teacher—band together to earn the necessary funds on their own.

For Kil-Su the trip holds an extra meaning, as he hopes to find his mom in Seoul.

After numerous challenges, the parents finally agree, and the kids are on their way to Seoul, traveling by train for the first time.

However, the journey takes an unexpected turn when Kil-Su, his sister, and their friend Yoon-bok get lost in the big city, creating serious challenges for their dedicated teacher. The tale then lingers on the resilience of those guiding figures and the enduring bond between generations as they navigate memory, longing, and the pull of two very different worlds.