Hope 2013

So-won is abducted on the way to school

So-won, an 8-year-old girl, is late for school and walks alone in the rain. A man asks to share his umbrella, and moments later she is kidnapped, assaulted, and left with serious injuries. She manages to call an ambulance, starting her family's urgent ordeal.

Emergency surgery and life-changing injuries

So-won is rushed to the hospital with internal injuries. She undergoes emergency surgery and will need a colostomy bag for life. Her parents rush to the hospital, overwhelmed by the extent of her trauma.

Three days later: therapy begins and attacker identified

Three days after the attack, police interview So-won, and a therapist named Jung-sook begins guiding the family through the aftermath. So-won, with support, identifies her attacker from photos. Jung-sook also tries to help the parents cope, though Mi-hee remains wary of therapy.

Attacker arrested and media attention intensifies

The attacker is arrested, and news coverage erupts, even showing the hospital where So-won is staying. Dong-hoon rushes to the police station to confront the suspect but is confronted by reporters seeking interviews. The family struggles to protect So-won’s privacy amid the media attention.

Transfer chaos: colostomy bag leaks and a fainting spell

During a room transfer, So-won’s colostomy bag leaks, causing distress for the family. Mi-hee faints in the hospital, heightening the sense of crisis around So-won’s care. Medical staff respond quickly to stabilize everyone involved.

Mi-hee’s pregnancy is revealed

It is revealed that Mi-hee is five months pregnant, adding another layer of fear and responsibility for the parents. Dong-hoon is overwhelmed by the double trauma affecting his daughter and unborn child. So-won remains deeply traumatized, often avoiding contact or eye contact.

Nighttime fear and distance between father and daughter

At night, So-won covers herself with a blanket and refuses to look at her father, overwhelmed by the trauma. Dong-hoon struggles to find a way to reach her and communicate effectively. The family begins searching for gentle ways to reconnect.

Therapist Jung-sook’s backstory revealed

A note about Jung-sook reveals a painful backstory: her own daughter experienced a similar assault and later died, and Jung-sook herself suffered a suicide attempt years earlier. The revelation underscores the therapist’s dedication and the heavy toll trauma can take on caregivers. It also provides context for her intense commitment to So-won’s healing.

A plan: father dresses as a cartoon mascot to reach So-won

To bridge the communication gap, Dong-hoon dresses up as So-won’s favorite character, a mascot named Cocomong. The disguise helps her open up and reach toward him, culminating in a heartwarming moment where she hugs the masked figure. She does not yet realize the disguise is her father.

Therapy progresses and new ways to communicate

So-won begins regular therapy and gradually finds her voice again, even using a magnetic erase board to communicate. Her physical health improves, and she starts returning to some normal activities. The family begins to see real signs of healing.

Returning home and the site of the crime

The family returns home, but So-won vomits when she passes the site where the attack occurred. Neighbors have cleaned the house and left positive notes, showing the community’s support. The return marks a turning point toward normalcy, though the memory lingers.

Young-seok’s guilt and school adjustments

Young-seok visits Dong-hoon and expresses guilt for ditching So-won, offering comfort. He later visits So-won’s school to explain the colostomy bag and aims to limit contact with male teachers, while Dong-hoon helps by concealing the bag with candy. So-won grows more self-conscious about the bag and noises it makes.

So-won learns her father was the mascot

So-won eventually realizes that the kind, supportive mascot was her own father in disguise. She smiles and helps him wipe away his sweat, signaling a cautious restoration of trust between them. The moment marks a major turning point in her healing journey.

Court day: the attacker is sentenced

In court, So-won again identifies her attacker from photos and states he reeked of alcohol during the assault. The attacker is sentenced to 12 years in prison, sparking anger in Dong-hoon. He briefly confronts the man in the courtroom, but So-won intervenes and asks him to go home.