Watch The Drop Box

In 2015, a documentary film called "The Drop Box" was released, which tells the story of a South Korean pastor named Lee Jong-rak, who created a "baby box" at his church to rescue abandoned children. The movie starts by introducing the viewer to the problem of child abandonment in South Korea. Due to social stigmas associated with unwed mothers and disabled children, many infants are abandoned on the streets or in trash cans, often resulting in their death.

In response to this crisis, Pastor Lee builds a mailbox-like structure on the side of his church, where he installs an alarm that will go off whenever a baby is placed inside. The box is made of materials that will keep the baby warm and comfortable until it can be retrieved by the pastor and his team.

The film shows how Pastor Lee personally cares for the babies and works to find them permanent homes. Some of the children have disabilities, others come from broken homes, and some are unwanted girls in a culture that values male children. Regardless of their circumstances, Pastor Lee sees each child as valuable and worth saving.

One of the most poignant elements of the movie is the relationship between Pastor Lee and his disabled son, Eun-man. Eun-man is unable to speak or walk, but he communicates using a tablet and is instrumental in convincing his father to start the baby box project. Throughout the film, we see how Eun-man's struggles have shaped Pastor Lee's compassion for those who are often forgotten by society.

The film also explores the reactions of other members of the church and the wider community to the baby box. Some support Pastor Lee's efforts, while others criticize him for enabling unmarried mothers and not addressing the root causes of infant abandonment. The government also weighs in on the controversy, as officials debate whether the baby box is an appropriate solution to a complex problem.

Ultimately, "The Drop Box" is a moving and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about how we treat the most vulnerable members of society. It is a testament to Pastor Lee's compassion and dedication, as well as the many adoptive families who have given these children a new lease on life.

The movie is directed by American filmmaker Brian Ivie, who filmed the documentary over a period of two years. The film has won multiple awards, including Best Documentary at the Heartland Film Festival and the Cinema for Peace Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The Drop Box is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.