Watch Ode to My Father

Ode to My Father is a 2014 South Korean drama film directed by Yoon Je-kyoon. It tells the story of Deok-soo, a man in his seventies, played by Hwang Jung-min, as he reflects on his life and the hardships that he faced during significant moments in Korean history. The film also stars Yunjin Kim as Deok-soo's first love and Dal-su Oh as his best friend.

The film begins in 1950 in the midst of the Korean War, where Deok-soo and his family are trying to leave their hometown to escape the advancing North Korean forces. While waiting for transportation, Deok-soo's younger sister, Mak-soon, gets separated from the family, and they can't find her before they have to leave. The event scars Deok-soo, and Mak-soon becomes his motivation to succeed in life.

Following the war, the family moves to the southern port city of Busan, where Deok-soo's father works as a dockworker. Deok-soo and his siblings work alongside their father, and despite their dire financial situation, Deok-soo promises to provide for his mother and siblings. Deok-soo later meets Yoon-hee, played by Yunjin Kim, whom he falls in love with. But, their romance is short-lived after Yoon-hee moves to West Germany to study nursing.

During the next few decades, Deok-soo experiences several significant events in Korean history, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the construction boom of the 1970s. Deok-soo works various jobs to provide for his siblings and mother. He also goes to Vietnam and takes up dangerous jobs as a coal miner in Germany to make ends meet.

Despite these challenges, Deok-soo never forgets about his promise to provide for his family and keep them together. At one point, Deok-soo's mother becomes mentally ill and starts wandering off. Deok-soo puts his mother in a nursing home but promises to care for her until she dies. Mak-soon eventually contacts the family and rejoins them, although she is not the same person she once was.

Years pass, and Deok-soo's children grow up and move overseas to seek better futures. However, Deok-soo continues his sacrifice for his family and takes a job in a coal mine to support them. He eventually retires and begins working at a tourist site, where he meets a young girl who reminds him of his sister, Mak-soon.

As the film progresses, Deok-soo is reunited with Yoon-hee, who he eventually marries. The film climaxes with a final sequence where Deok-soo takes his family on a trip to reunite with his sister Mak-soon in North Korea, an iconic moment for the reunited and independent South Korea.

Throughout the film, Ode to My Father emphasizes the importance of family and sacrifice. Deok-soo's character embodies the struggles that many ordinary Koreans faced during significant moments in Korean history. Despite the turmoil, Deok-soo never gives up on his family and remains committed to fulfilling his promise of providing for them.

The film's fantastic screenplay, direction, and acting elevate it into a genuine masterpiece. Ode to My Father is a powerful, emotional story about the strength of the human spirit and love for family that will continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Ode to My Father is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.