My Son (2007) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A father serving a life sentence receives a brief chance to see the family he left behind, confronting old harm and finding a fragile moment of closeness with his son.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Prisoner's Appeal

Lee Gang-Sik describes fifteen years without seeing his son or mother and applies for a chance to visit them. A correction officer helps arrange a brief leave, but Lee fears that time will run out before he reaches Joon-suk.

Key Events

• Prisoners Describe Their Crimes — Inmates describe their crimes and sentences. Location: Prison
• Lee Gang-Sik's Fifteen-Year Separation — Lee Gang-Sik says he has spent fifteen years inside without seeing his son or mother. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik Location: Prison
• Request to Visit Family — He applies for a chance to see his family and speak with Joon-suk. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik Location: Prison
• Leave Arranged — A correction officer helps arrange a brief visit outside the prison. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, correction officer Location: Prison

An Unfamiliar Outside World

During the journey, ordinary sights and sensations overwhelm Lee Gang-Sik. His visit to his mother is painful when she appears confused and has difficulty recognizing him.

Key Events

• Anxious About Limited Time — Lee Gang-Sik fears the limited time will pass before he reaches his son. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik Location: Journey from prison
• Outside World Overwhelms Him — Ordinary sights and sensations overwhelm Lee Gang-Sik during the journey. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik Location: Outside the prison
• Visit to His Mother — Lee Gang-Sik visits his mother, who appears confused and struggles to recognize him. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Kang-Sik's mother Location: Kang-Sik's mother's home
• Waiting to See Joon-suk — Lee Gang-Sik hopes to see Joon-suk but must wait and follow the visit plan. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Visit location

A Reunion Burdened by Memory

Lee Gang-Sik and Joon-suk finally meet, but the reunion is strained. Joon-suk confronts his father about the murder and the violence he remembers from childhood, while Lee struggles to express remorse and love.

Key Events

• Waiting to See Joon-suk — Lee Gang-Sik hopes to see Joon-suk but must wait and follow the visit plan. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Visit location
• Father and Son Reunite — After fifteen years apart, Lee Gang-Sik and Joon-suk finally spend time together. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Visit location
• Joon-suk Confronts His Father — Joon-suk confronts Lee Gang-Sik with the murder and the violence he remembers from childhood. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Visit location
• Lee Gang-Sik Struggles to Apologize — Ashamed of his frightening eyes, Lee Gang-Sik struggles to express remorse and love. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Visit location
• Joon-suk Names His Pain — Joon-suk admits the beating left him with physical pain and asks his father to remember him. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Visit location

A Brief Tenderness

The conversation becomes more tender as Lee Gang-Sik recalls places he visited with his young son. Walking together through a changed neighborhood gives them a moment of closeness, though their future remains uncertain.

Key Events

• Joon-suk Names His Pain — Joon-suk admits the beating left him with physical pain and asks his father to remember him. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Visit location
• Shared Memories of Childhood — Lee Gang-Sik recalls taking his young son to a place they used to visit. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: A place they used to visit
• Walking Through a Changed Neighborhood — They walk side by side through a changed neighborhood, and Lee Gang-Sik breaks down while feeling his son's hand. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Neighborhood
• The Visit Ends Uncertainly — The brief visit leaves their future uncertain; Lee Gang-Sik asks what happened to Joon-suk. Characters: Lee Gang-Sik, Joon-suk Location: Joon-suk's house

Story Breakdown

• Life Behind Bars — Lee Gang-Sik reflects on his sentence and long separation from his family.
  • Fifteen Years Inside — He says he has spent fifteen years in prison without seeing his son or mother.
  • Request for Leave — He applies for a chance to visit his family and speak with Joon-suk.
• A Brief Chance — A correction officer helps arrange a short visit outside the prison.
  • Visit Plan — The officer helps organize the limited family visit.
  • Fear of Delay — Lee worries that the available time will pass before he reaches his son.
• Return to the World — The outside world overwhelms Lee during his journey.
  • Ordinary Sensations — Everyday sights and sensations affect him strongly after years in prison.
  • Journey to Family — He travels toward the people he has not seen for years.
• A Mother's Confusion — Lee visits his mother and encounters the effects of her confusion.
  • Home Visit — Lee goes to his mother's home during his leave.
  • Recognition Fades — His mother has difficulty recognizing him.
• A Strained Reunion — Lee and Joon-suk meet after years apart, with childhood violence shadowing their conversation.
  • The Long-Awaited Meeting — Father and son finally spend time together under the visit plan.
  • Confronting the Past — Joon-suk raises the murder and the violence he remembers from childhood.
• Pain and Remorse — Joon-suk describes the lasting pain of the beating while Lee struggles to communicate remorse and love.
  • A Father's Shame — Lee is ashamed of his frightening eyes and struggles to express his feelings.
  • Remember Me — Joon-suk asks his father to remember him for the rest of his life.
• A Tender Walk — Shared memories and physical closeness soften the strained reunion.
  • Old Places Recalled — Lee remembers taking his young son to a place they used to visit.
  • Changed Neighborhood — They walk side by side, and Lee breaks down while feeling his son's hand.
• Uncertain Parting — The brief visit offers closeness but leaves the future unclear.
  • A Short Reunion — Their time together is limited, and Lee's grief leaves him confused.
  • Final Question — Lee asks what happened to Joon-suk as another voice asks who is speaking.

Directed by

Jang Jin

Key Cast

• Cha Seung-won — Lee Gang-sik
• Ryu Deok-hwan — Joon-suk
• Kim Ji-young — Gang-sik's Mother
• Kim Yoon-hye — Mimi
• Seo Woo — Yeo-il