Lovely film about family (chosen and blood). I particularly enjoyed the way the film depicted the difficulties of a family struggling with change and poverty. The father figures are all unique and flawed but they dearly love the "son".

Not being Korean, I didn't have any concept of racial issues that were addressed in the show. It made me sad. But the relationship that develops between the prickly teacher and wayward student and then between the estranged mom and son is sweet and special. One of my favorite scenes from the movie (there were quite a few so this is just a taste) was when Do Wan-deuk is praying for God to do something to get the teacher (who is trying to help the kid) off his back and concludes (then prays for) that the only hope is for God to kill the guy. Then a bit later, the teacher is injured. A classic k-drama piggy back ride ensues with Wan-deuk saying, "This is not what I meant!" Good stuff.

There's not really a romance but the little bit there is makes you smile. It's a little predictable (reminiscent of Good Will Hunting - an American film) and a little too tidy at the end but I enjoyed watching it. I felt the acting, especially the two main leads (Yoo Ah In and Kim Yoon-seok) was superb and lifted the film out of the predictable plot.

Well worth the watch if you can find it.