Title: 7번방의 선물 | 7beonbangui Seonmool Miracle In Cell No. 7
Genre: Drama | Comedy
Released Date: January 24, 2013
Synopsis:
It is story about Lee Yong-Goo and his daughter Ye-Sung. Lee Yong-Goo was a mentally handicapped person who was unjustly accused and went to prison for the death of a child. The child was happened to be the daughter of somebody with political clout, thus, his case was railroaded by everyone involved in his case including his very own lawyer. In fear that his child, Ye-Sung will be put into danger if he doesn’t admit his guilt, did what any father who loves his child very much which is to admit guilt. He was sentenced to death.
Characters:
- Ryu Seung-Ryong as Lee Yong-Goo
- Kal So-Won as Ye-Sung in Younger Years
- Park Shin-Hye as Ye-Sung
- Jung Jin-Young as Jang Min-Hwan
- Oh Dal-Su as So Yang-Ho
- Park Won-Sang as Choi Chun-Ho
- Kim Jung-Tae as Kang Man-Beom
- Jung Man-Sik as Shin Bong-Shik
- Kim Ki-Cheon as Old man dado
- Syung Jang Hae as Aristotle
- Park Kil-Soo as Prison Guard Jung
- Jo Jae-Yun as Prison Guard Kim
- Jung Han-Bi as Ye-Seung’s Homeroom Teacher
- Jo Deok-Hyeon as Chief of the National Police Agency
- Lee Yun-Hee as Orphanage Teacher
- Kang Ye-Seo as Ji-Young
- Lee Seung-Yeon as Jang Min-Hwan’s Wife
- Kim Se-Dong as Public Defender
- Park Sang-Myeon as Gang Leader Pabaki
- Song Lee-Woo as Anchor
- Choi Ro-Woon as Jin-Wook
- Han Sung-Yong as Marlboro Prisoner
- Oh Chang-Kyung as Detective 2
- Min Jung-Ki as Detective 4
- Jung Jae-Min as Young-Hoon
- No Kang-Min as Ye-Seung’s Classmate
- Yoon Sun-Woo as Prosecutor of Moot Court
My Review:
It is definitely a tearjerker especially in the last part of the movie. I get caught up with depth of love that Lee Yong-Goo to her daughter that I can’t help that while watching it I totally remember and miss my departed father. The entire film can make you both smile and sad all at the same time. Honestly, it took me awhile before I watch this film even if it was highly recommended by a lot of blogs including my friends because I was afraid it is going to be a heavy drama which I basically don’t enjoy much. I am glad it wasn’t, however, this movie even if it was loved by a lot of people and won several awards, it wasn’t as perfect as I hope it would be. I always rate a movie or drama base of its entertainment value without me making me feel stupid in its presentation. And, this one even if the entertainment strings my heart, there are a lot of situations that is unbelievable that made me feel stupid while watching it unless it is truly how the Korean justice system works.
So, What do I Like About this K-Film?
(1) The actors especially Ryu Seung-Ryong, Oh Dal-Su and the rest of their prison mates have brilliantly portrayed their roles and truly strings your heart at moments it needs to be.
(2) The love of Lee Yong-Goo to his daughter, Ye-Sung and Ye-Sung’s love for his father. It lifts the story to something that is wonderful and beautiful even if it is quite tragic.
(3) The depiction that people even if they made a horrible mistakes in their lives that they still do have redeeming qualities. They are human beings too even if they now reside within the prison walls.
(4) That there’s hope even in your darkest hours and that the truth will be revealed no matter what happens.
What I do Not Like About this K-Film?
I felt uneasy with the way Lee Yong-Goo went to prison who is clearly mentally challenged. Every time I watched Korean dramas and films, I always wonder if Koreans are truly like that, gossipers and easily jumps into conclusions. I also felt that there’s something lacking to make it more plausible by which Lee Yong-Goo’s unjust imprisonment was presented. I wish the director executed it in a more believable manner unless it is again truly the way Korean courts’ work. I would probably accept the circumstances more if it happened in my own country but in Korea? There are also some activities that are happening inside the prison that you can’t help ask why will it be allowed to happen especially with the likes of Lee Yong-Goo, who was supposedly convicted child molester. I am speaking especially about the first time the child, Ye-Sung, was brought to see his father, Lee Yong-Goo inside his prison cell. I wonder whomever was handling the choir that presented an entertainment number for the prisoners was such a moron that he/she left the prison without counting and checking the people they were with in the first place considering they have children with them. It seems so implausible that it will happen without security check, unless again it can truly happen in Korean. Although, this film brought a lot of heartwarming scenes, there’s a lot going on that I question if this can truly happen in Korea. I would have accepted and believe them if it the story is partly a fantasy film. Or, is it?
Would I recommend this K-Drama? Yes.
My Rating to this Film
( See My Rating System: ) 4/5 Stars
OST:
01. 23th December – Various Artists
02. One, Two, Three – Various Artists
03. Dad – Lee Dong Jun
04. Guys – Various Artists
05. Prison Freedom – Various Artists
06. With Love – Lee Dong Jun
07. Delivery – Various Artists
08. Moon & Star – Various Artists
09. Fire – Various Artists
10. Farewell, Not Goodbye – Various Artists
11. Hope – Various Artists
12. The Case of Reconfiguration – Various Artists
13. Innocence – Various Artists
14. Truth & Liar – Various Artists
15. Is There Any Hope – Various Artists
16. Remaining Days – Various Artists
17. Plan Montage – Various Artists
18. Angel’s Song – Lee Dong Jun Feat Sunae Elementary School Choir
19. Balloon – Various Artists
20. Don’t Forget Today – Various Artists
21. Farewell To Sadness – Various Artists
22. Goodbye – Lee Dong Jun
23. I Love You Dad – Various Artists