Dreaming of visiting South Korea since her school days, Shenbagam, aka Shenba (played by Priyanka Arulmohan), finally gets to fulfill her lifelong dream, but at a cost too dear for her to accept. Betrayed by someone she trusted wholeheartedly and left stranded in an unknown city with no one to turn to, she comes across a kind stranger named Heo Jun Jae (played by Baek Si Hun), who is willing to help her, seemingly out of the blue.
Supported by the warmth and kindness of strangers and centuries-old cultural ties to her home, Shenba sets out to find her purpose and build her life amidst the dazzling but cold lights of Seoul city.
Movie: Made in Korea
Where to Watch: Netflix
Cast: Priyanka Arulmohan, Park Hye-jin, Baek Si Hun, Rishikanth Rajendran
Screenwriter: Ra Karthik
Director: Ra Karthik
The Plot
The plot of the movie follows the life of the protagonist Shenba, a small-town girl from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shenba is shown as a young girl with a strong liking for Korean culture and media. Consuming K-content and practicing the language in a village where it was hard to even get a mobile signal, she is shown to have a lifelong dream of wanting to visit South Korea. Her ambition is not hidden from her family; however, her family’s circumstances do not allow her to pursue her dream.
Apart from her love for Korea, young Shenba is also shown to have a crush on her classmate Mani (played by Rishikanth Rajendran) since her high school years, who later goes on to become her romantic partner. Unlike Shenba, with her specific life goals, Mani is shown to have not ‘accomplished much’ in terms of building a career. Despite the young couple’s devotion to each other, Mani’s lack of accomplishments garners the disapproval and wrath of Shenba’s father regarding their relationship.
In a spur-of-the-moment, impulsive act of defiance, Shenba, trusting Mani, leaves with him to pursue better job opportunities in Korea. However, problems arise when, on the flight departing to South Korea, Shenba, fretting over Mani’s lack of contact, realizes his betrayal and breaks down.
Stranded alone in an unfamiliar country, unable to speak or understand the language and having no source of income, Shenba drowns her pain in soju. However, through a twist of fate, she meets a kind-hearted stranger named Heo Jun Jae, who lends her a helping hand by finding her a job as a househelp/caretaker for an elderly woman.
During her time as a caretaker, Shenba discovers that the elderly woman, Yeon Ok (played by Park Hye Jin), who was supposedly bedridden, was faking her illness. In cahoots with each other, Shenba and Yeon Ok, along with Heo Jun Jae, establish a small diner to help Shenba earn her living and repay her father.
The Characters
Shenbagam aka Shenba (played by Priyanka Arulmohan)
A young woman from a small town in Tamil Nadu who, spurred by her love for Korean media and culture, dreams of visiting South Korea one day. She is shown as a kind, brave, righteous, and adaptable young woman who does not shy away from voicing her thoughts.
Heo Jun Jae (played by Baek Si Hun)
A videographer who helps Shenba find her footing in Seoul and eventually becomes friends with her. He is shown as a cheerful, kind, and optimistic young man who is not afraid of setbacks. He is also one of the key pillars in helping Shenba’s journey of self-discovery.
Mani (played by Rishikanth Rajendran)
Shenba’s boyfriend who later betrays her by leaving her alone on her flight to Seoul. He is shown as a temperamental and audacious young man who is not shy about manipulating Shenba and her father for his gain. He is later shown to have learned his lesson and to have embarked on a path of reformation.
Yeon Ok (played by Park Hye Jin)
An elderly woman whom Shenba is hired to help look after. She is shown to be faking her illness and inability to get out of bed due to her family’s mistreatment. By nature, Yeon Ok is depicted as an elderly woman full of vitality and drive. She is also shown to carry her own dreams and regrets, which she tries to fulfill with assistance from Shenba and Heo Jun Jae.
Reasons to Watch ‘Made in Korea’
- Cross-cultural Emphasis: The story emphasises the cross-cultural exchange between India and South Korea. It dives into the historic ties between the two countries while also depicting the modern-day impact at grassroots levels through cross-cultural communication.
- Feel-Good Story: The movie follows a very linear storyline with predictable plot points. The growth of the protagonist while going through crises makes for an interesting plot, leaving viewers sated by the end.
- Relatable Protagonist: The background of the protagonist makes for a very realistic and relatable character. Her origins, environment, and lifestyle make for a story with experiences that resonate with many viewers.
- Family Friendly: With no excessive gore, violence, or nudity, the movie is a good family watch, albeit under parental guidance for children under 13 years of age
- Cast and Characters: Transnational casting with well-known Indian and South Korean artists makes for brilliant chemistry.
‘Made in Korea’ is an excellent example emphasising the cross-cultural impact of Indo-Korean ties on each country through time and age. While the movie takes a bit of creative liberties with nuanced storytelling, it does a good job of bringing ‘Seoul’ one step closer to the Indian audience. It also serves as a reminder for many that the journey itself is sometimes worth much more than reaching the goal, and having the courage to take that first step makes up for half the hurdles that one may come across on their path to self-discovery.
Shenba’s struggles in Seoul also shine a light on the hurdles faced by hopeful yet uninformed travelers and job seekers. It serves as a wake-up call for the audience to carefully plan their paths so as not to be taken advantage of, while also imparting the message that oftentimes kindness transcends the bounds of geography and culture.
Written By: N.V.S. Akanksha
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