This is a film I would never dare to watch. 

“Hope” (2013) recounts the harrowing ordeal of an eight-year-old girl named So-won. On her way to school, So-won is abducted, savagely beaten, and raped by an older man named Jong-sool, who then abandons her, assuming she is dead. Miraculously, So-won survives and manages to call for an ambulance. The medical team is appalled by the severity of her injuries. So-won endures multiple internal injuries necessitating major surgeries, and a surgeon informs her father, Dong-hoon, that she will require a colostomy bag for the remainder of her life. The case swiftly becomes a media spectacle, compounding the anguish of her family and friends.

This profoundly heart-wrenching film delves into the depths of pain, trauma, fear, insecurity, and the overwhelming frustration experienced by So-won and her family. It depicts the sense of powerlessness and despair encountered in their pursuit of justice, further exacerbated by the secondary trauma inflicted by an imperfect legal system and the insensitive, intrusive nature of sensationalist journalism. Such relentless media scrutiny continuously reopens wounds and exacerbates the trauma. Yet, amid this darkness, the film also highlights the resilience, compassion, and genuine care extended by So-won’s parents, the counseling agency, neighbors, and classmates. 

A poignant quote from the film states, "The kindest and most easy-going people often have the loneliest souls; those who wear the brightest smiles are often the saddest." This sentiment resonates deeply, for sometimes the most compassionate individuals around us, those who tirelessly help others in need, may have personally endured the darkest of trials. Yet, despite their own profound pain and trauma, they have risen from the ashes, still believing in the benevolence of humanity and the inherent goodness of life. With unwavering strength, they brave their inner darkness, channeling their experiences into an outpouring of kindness and care for those around them. These are the individuals who have stared into the abyss and refused to be consumed by it. Their bright smiles and gentle demeanors belie the profound struggles they have overcome, serving as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In their ability to transcend their own suffering and focus on the needs of others, they embody the very best of what it means to be human.

In 2008, the South Korean public was horrified by the case of Cho Doo-soon, a 57-year-old man who brutally raped and assaulted an 8-year-old girl, known as "Na-young" in the local press, in a public bathroom. Despite the sheer brutality of the crime and the perpetrator's documented history of physical and sexual violence, the court sentenced Cho to just 12 years in prison, sparking outrage and protests across the country. The injustice of the lenient sentence prompted an outpouring of public grief and condemnation, with many movies, songs, and other creative works produced in response, including the film “Hope.” However, amidst the darkness of this case, there is a glimmer of light. Na-young, the resilient victim, has now turned 24 years old. In a 2020 interview, her father revealed that she has undergone two major and painful surgeries, but is now able to live and study like a normal student. Moreover, Na-young has completed her college entrance exam in Korea and aspires to attend medical school, driven by a desire to help others who have endured similar traumas. Her remarkable strength and determination to spread goodness, even in the face of such horrific experiences, is truly awe-inspiring.

The true story of the Cho Doo-soon case and the cultural response to it, particularly the film "Hope," demonstrates the remarkable power of popular culture and artistic expression. When the legal system failed to deliver justice or raise awareness, creative works like "Hope" were able to evoke widespread public sympathy and draw much-needed attention to the horrific nature of the crime and the injustice of the lenient sentence. The outpouring of public outrage and protests that followed suggests that these cultural productions were instrumental in galvanizing societal change. This speaks to the profound influence that art, film, music, and other forms of cultural expression can have on shaping public discourse, impacting social consciousness, and even affecting policy decisions. In a case where the formal mechanisms of justice fell short, the power of storytelling and creative representation stepped in to amplify the voices of the marginalized and demand accountability.

The tragic story depicted in the film "Hope" is far from an isolated incident. Instead, it represents an ongoing and pervasive reality that continues to play out across the globe, even today. The sobering statistics from the United States in 2022 serve as a stark reminder of the scale and persistence of this issue. According to the data, there were 204,055 reported victims of sex offenses in the United States last year, including 133,294 reported rape cases. Even more heartbreaking is the fact that of these victims, 36,592 were children aged 10 and under, and an additional 58,900 were between the ages of 11 and 15.

These figures paint a profoundly disturbing picture, underscoring the urgent need to address the systemic failures that allow such crimes to continue unabated. Despite the powerful societal impact of works like "Hope" in raising awareness and driving change, it is clear that we still have a long and arduous journey ahead in improving legal protections, bolstering support systems for survivors, and ultimately eradicating these heinous acts of violence and exploitation. 

I would like to end with the powerful words of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who presided over the sentencing of disgraced USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. In a landmark case, Judge Aquilina gave a voice to over 150 women who chose to confront their abuser face-to-face. To the survivors of sexual violence, she said: 

"Leave your pain here and go out and do your magnificent things."