Imagine walking through pitch-black darkness in a place you've never been before. It's utterly silent. How would you move? Hands stretched out to feel your way forward, each step tentative, high-kneed and cautious? For a seven-year-old girl named Eun-hye, this is daily life—unable to see, hear, or speak. She is the protagonist of the Korean film My Lovely Angel.
The story begins on a rainy day. A mother is absent for good, leaving behind her blind, deaf, and mute daughter. Park Jae-sik, a debt-ridden talent agent, shows up at her home hoping to seize valuables to recover a loan he guaranteed. Mistaken by the landlady as Eun-hye’s father, he decides to keep up the act in hopes of eventually collecting a deposit refund. What begins as a deception soon turns into a heartfelt connection as he starts to care for the little girl.
My Lovely Angel takes viewers on an unexpected journey into the world of someone living with both visual and auditory impairments. As Park Jae-sik becomes involved in Eun-hye’s life, his rough exterior gives way to compassion, and audiences are made aware of the challenges of communicating with the world through touch alone. The film gradually fosters a deeper understanding and empathy for people with sensory disabilities.
Sensing the World Through Touch and Taste
At the time, Korea had education systems for the visually or hearing impaired, but not for individuals with both disabilities. Jae-sik takes it upon himself to teach Eun-hye. He writes letters with his finger on her palm—astonishingly, she remembers and replicates them instantly. Many of us may recall playing similar games as children, guessing words traced on our hands, but Eun-hye’s level of sensitivity and intelligence is extraordinary, especially for a child.
Jae-sik uses touch and taste to help Eun-hye understand the world—introducing her to watermelon, chicks, crops, and more. A memorable scene shows him helping her learn to spit out watermelon seeds, which she can't learn by seeing others. By placing seeds in her hand, she quickly understands, and her clumsy attempts bring a touch of humor and warmth.
Eun-hye learns quickly; Jae-sik teaches with joy and a growing sense of purpose. Even the night before he plans to hand her over to her biological father, he’s moved to tears—yet still teaches her the word "tears" by writing it on her hand.
What Makes a Family
At first, Jae-sik sees himself only as a stand-in dad—feeding the girl but emotionally distant. But when Eun-hye falls ill, his care becomes genuine. She slowly lets her guard down and becomes increasingly attached to him. He too begins to care deeply, developing a bond that feels more real than blood.
Their relationship is not one-sided. Eun-hye responds in her own ways. After Jae-sik is beaten, she touches his swollen cheek, then softly blows on it to comfort him—a child’s way of healing. At a farm, the owner tells Jae-sik that his mother with dementia used to offer him food in the same way Eun-hye does, suggesting deep affection. Jae-sik, touched by this realization, begins to understand Eun-hye’s expressions of love.
Though Jae-sik loses his job and remains in debt, the open-ended finale shows he cannot abandon Eun-hye, who cries in terror when she can't find him. They are not bound by blood, but something stronger—love. Her biological father, who abandoned her at birth, still refuses to raise her. In the end, what makes a home isn’t blood, but love.
A Star Supports a Rising Genius
The male lead, Jin Goo, is a celebrated actor with awards from the Grand Bell and Blue Dragon Film Awards. Though he headlines the film, he often feels like a supporting presence to the extraordinary young actress playing Eun-hye.
This isn't due to a lack of skill on Jin Goo's part, but rather because viewers are captivated by Eun-hye—her gestures, expressions, and the authenticity she brings to her role. Reportedly, the actress Jung Seo-yeon was chosen after a three-month search and hailed as a “genius child star.” Her performance is so convincing that some viewers asked whether she herself had sensory disabilities.
Portraying a child who is not only innocent and adorable but also convincingly blind and deaf is no small feat. Jung’s performance, especially in the emotional final scenes, left many viewers in tears.
A Decade in the Making That Sparked Legal Change
My Lovely Angel is Korea’s first film centered on a deaf-blind character. First conceptualized in 2011, the film faced major funding challenges due to its niche theme and lack of commercial appeal. The script underwent numerous revisions, and production finally began in 2019. It premiered in 2021 after a decade-long struggle—truly a labor of love.
Though the film is modest in production and the plot is simple, its touching moments between Jae-sik and Eun-hye deeply resonated with audiences. It not only moved viewers but also brought national attention to the deaf-blind community. Ultimately, it contributed to the passage of legislation in Korea to support individuals with dual sensory impairments.
My Lovely Angel is a film best watched slowly, with a quiet heart. It invites contemplation, compassion, and a rethinking of what makes family truly meaningful.
Watch here: https://www.ganjingworld.com/s/2AzRovB4AJ
Directors: Lee Chang-won, Kwon Sung-mo
Rating: Unrated (suitable for all ages)
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Release date: May 12, 2021
Rating: 7.5/10
(Translated by Chat GPT. Chinese Version: 家之所以為家——《對我而言，你是珍貴的》觀感)
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