South Korea · Film · 2019
Another Child
Binge Brief
- Another Child marks actor Kim Yoon Seok's directorial debut.
- The film was invited to the Busan International Film Festival and received critical acclaim.
- It centers on two teenage girls, Joo-ri and Yoon-ah, dealing with a secret affair between their parents.
- Kim Hye Joon and Park Se Jin received praise for their breakthrough performances.
- The film uses a subdued color palette of grays, browns, and neutrals to reinforce its serious tone.
- No real-life romance has been reported among the cast members.
Synopsis
Another Child centers on two high school students, Joo-ri and Yoon-ah, whose lives intersect when Joo-ri's father, Dae-won, and Yoon-ah's mother, Mi-hee, are revealed to have been having an affair. The discovery comes almost by accident, when Yoon-ah picks up a phone call meant for Joo-ri and stumbles onto the truth, throwing Joo-ri into a panic that neither girl is equipped to handle alone.
What follows is less about confronting the adults involved than about how Joo-ri and Yoon-ah are forced to renegotiate their own relationship once the secret is out, caught between anger at their parents and an uneasy, complicated bond with each other. Young-joo, Joo-ri's mother, is pulled into the fallout as well, her own sense of her marriage and family upended by a betrayal she did not see coming.
Kim Yoon-seok, who also plays Dae-won, wrote and directed the film as his feature directorial debut, building the story around the teenage daughters rather than the adults whose choices set the story in motion. Another Child premiered in South Korean theaters on April 11, 2019, and was recognized at several major award ceremonies, including a Best New Actress win for Kim Hye-jun at the 40th Blue Dragon Film Awards and nominations at the Grand Bell Awards and Buil Film Awards.
Another Child cast
Best scenes
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The emotional confrontation between Joo-ri and her father after discovering the affair—raw and heart-wrenching.
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Yoon-ah’s breakdown at school, revealing how deeply the scandal affects both girls.
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The silent moment in the hospital when both mothers lock eyes—packed with guilt, pain, and unspoken tension.
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The unexpected friendship scene where Joo-ri and Yoon-ah walk home together, reflecting emotional growth.
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The final scene at the rooftop, symbolizing their shared pain and quiet resilience.
Filming locations
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Shot across various residential districts in Seoul, emphasizing a realistic middle-class Korean setting.
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School interiors and hallways play a major role in illustrating teenage social tension.
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The hospital setting becomes a recurring visual anchor for emotional and physical confrontation.
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Traditional Korean apartments were used to reflect family intimacy and confinement.
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Urban backstreets and rooftops provide symbolic solitude for pivotal dialogue scenes.
Visual design and costumes
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The film uses a subtle color palette—grays, browns, and neutrals—to enhance the serious tone.
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Costumes are realistic school uniforms and casual everyday wear, grounding the characters in relatable reality.
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Minimalist set design in domestic interiors reflects the emotional emptiness within families.
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Close-up shots and natural lighting are used to draw focus to emotional expression and realism.
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Makeup and styling are understated to emphasize the raw performances of the cast.
Themes and messages
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Explores infidelity and its ripple effects on children, especially daughters.
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Highlights the emotional burden teenagers face when caught in adult conflicts.
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Focuses on female solidarity and growth, even among those hurt by the same people.
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Tackles themes of forgiveness, shame, and emotional maturity from a youth perspective.
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Challenges traditional family structures and questions the meaning of responsibility.
Interesting facts
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Kim Yoon Seok, a well-known actor, made his directorial debut with this film.
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The film was invited to the Busan International Film Festival, earning critical praise.
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Both Kim Hye Joon and Park Se Jin received acclaim for their breakthrough performances.
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Based on a true-to-life emotional script, the story avoids melodrama for grounded realism.
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Another Child was praised by critics for its nuanced portrayal of motherhood and adolescence.
Real-life loves on set
There is no real-life romantic relationship developed between any of the cast members of the Korean film Another Child (2019). The film focuses primarily on family dynamics, teenage struggles, and emotional trauma caused by infidelity—rather than romantic storylines among the actors themselves.
The leads, including Kim Hye-jun, Park Se-jin, Yeom Jung-ah, and Kim So-jin, have maintained a strictly professional relationship throughout and after the production. Their powerful performances reflect their dedication to the craft rather than any off-screen romance.
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Another Child?
Kim Yoon Seok directed the film, marking his directorial debut.
Was Another Child recognized by any film festivals?
Yes. It was invited to the Busan International Film Festival and earned critical praise.
What is Another Child about?
It follows two teenage girls, Joo-ri and Yoon-ah, confronting the fallout of a secret affair between their parents.
Who stars in Another Child?
Kim Hye Joon and Park Se Jin lead the cast and were praised for their breakthrough performances.
Is there any real-life romance between the Another Child cast?
No. The main cast, including Kim Hye Joon, Park Se Jin, Yeom Jung Ah, and Kim So Jin, kept a strictly professional relationship during and after filming.