Return to Seoul 2022

Freddie, a charming 25-year-old woman, finds herself on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Born in South Korea and adopted by French parents, she arrives in Seoul for a two-week vacation after her flight to Tokyo gets cancelled. During her stay, she quickly forms a bond with Tena, the hotel desk clerk, and has a brief encounter with a man she meets at a restaurant. As she settles into the vibrant city, Tena, along with another friend, introduces Freddie to the Hammond Adoption Center. Although Freddie initially shows no desire to reconnect with her biological parents, her curiosity leads her to visit the agency.

At the center, she learns that while they cannot disclose her parents’ identities, they can notify them of her interest up to three times a year through telegrams. Freddie’s journey continues as she travels to Gunsan for a tense reunion with her father, with Tena translating their conversations. When she discovers that her mother has not responded to the telegrams, she decides to stay with her father’s family for a few nights. Her father’s persistent phone calls and messages filled with regret weigh heavily on her, leading her to feel trapped by his attempts at reconciliation.

During a night out, Freddie confides to Tena about her father’s incessant contact, calling it oppressive. Their evening takes a sour turn when Freddie mocks the declarations of affection from her first-night companion, and in a moment of vulnerability, she attempts to kiss Tena, who, unfortunately, rejects her, labeling her as “a very sad person.” That night, Freddie returns to her hotel accompanied by a DJ, only to face her drunken father, who confronts her about ignoring him. Tena intervenes, but chaos erupts when Freddie screams at her father to let her go.

Fast forward two years, and Freddie has made a new life in Seoul. She goes out with André, a weapons dealer who believes she has a future in the business. As she reflects on her birthday, she expresses her longing for her mother, pondering if she ever thinks of her. At a surprise birthday celebration, Freddie shares with a co-worker, who is also an adoptee, that her mother has finally replied to their telegrams, revealing she does not wish to meet. Though her father continues to email her, Freddie generally ignores him, focusing instead on understanding her roots.

Five years later, Freddie’s life takes another turn as she learns some Korean and begins working with André selling missiles. On a business excursion to South Korea, she attends a meeting with her father, where he plays a heartfelt piano piece he composed. His music stirs something within her, but frustration builds when her boyfriend, Maxime, suggests that her role in life is to protect South Korea. After dinner, she makes the difficult decision to break up with him, and the following morning finds herself alone in an alley.

The story comes full circle when Freddie receives an unexpected positive response to a telegram from her biological mother. They meet at a Hammond facility, where an emotional reunion occurs as they embrace, and her mother shares her email address for future correspondence.

A year later, on her birthday, while trying to check into a hotel, Freddie attempts to email her mother, expressing her apologies for the lack of contact and her belief that she is finally happy. However, her joy quickly turns to disappointment when she realizes her mother’s email address is no longer valid. Seeking solace, she enters the hotel lobby and is drawn to a piano. Hesitantly, she sits down and begins to play a beautiful melody, attempting to connect with herself once more through music.