The Korean film 'Hallan' presents viewers with a challenging but crucial cinematic experience. This powerful historical drama transforms the enormous tragedy of the Jeju April 3 uprising into an intimate and desperate story of survival, following a mother and her young daughter as they flee relentless pursuit by government forces.
The Jeju April 3 uprising began on April 3, 1948, and extended into the early 1950s, initially emerging as a protest against the U.S. military-led administration that governed Korea following its liberation from Japan's colonial rule (1910-1945). The government at the time characterized the uprising as a communist rebellion and responded with brutal suppression campaigns, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 civilians. Many of these victims had no involvement with any armed resistance groups. This tragedy stands as one of the most devastating and historically under-discussed events in modern Korean history.
Set against the breathtaking yet harsh landscape of Jeju Island in 1948, the film centers on Ajin, portrayed by Kim Hyang-gi, a 26-year-old haenyeo (traditional female diver). As the violence of the anti-communist purge escalates across the island, Ajin makes the agonizing decision to leave her young daughter, Haesaeng (Kim Min-chae), in the care of her mother-in-law while she climbs Mount Halla to search for her husband, who is hiding from the punitive military forces.
The separation proves devastating, and tragedy strikes when Ajin receives word that her village has come under attack. She frantically rushes back down the mountain in a desperate race to reach her daughter, knowing full well that she may not survive the dangerous journey. Meanwhile, 6-year-old Haesaeng becomes orphaned after her grandmother is killed during an indiscriminate military raid on their community. Left alone, the young girl courageously sets out toward the mountain to find her mother after soldiers burn down their town.
When mother and daughter finally reunite, their reunion marks the beginning of an even more terrifying journey as they become hunted by the very forces that were supposed to protect them. The film's title, 'Hallan,' takes its name from a rare orchid species native to Mount Halla, serving as a symbol of Ajin's remarkable resilience as she fights to survive in the island's windswept and unforgiving terrain.
Director Ha Myung-mi approaches this historical conflict with extraordinary restraint and deep humanity, deliberately avoiding the temptation to oversimplify the Jeju uprising into a simple battle between opposing political factions. The film's central message, expressed repeatedly through the voices of Ajin and her husband, resonates clearly: 'Even if a good world comes, but my family is all dead, what kind of good world is that?' This philosophy underscores the movie's focus on human survival over political ideology.
'Hallan' honestly acknowledges the brutality of the massacres carried out by the punitive government forces while also depicting the violence that armed rebels inflicted upon their fellow islanders. The film suggests that political ideology meant very little to ordinary people caught in the crossfire—for them, only survival mattered. This balanced approach adds depth and authenticity to the historical narrative.
The film's authenticity receives significant enhancement through the cast's complete dedication to speaking in the Jeju dialect throughout the entire movie. This commitment to linguistic accuracy is so thorough that even Korean speakers from other regions may find themselves needing to rely on Korean subtitles—an unusual experience when watching a domestic Korean film.
Kim Hyang-gi delivers what may be considered her career-best performance as Ajin, masterfully embodying a mother whose profound, tearful love for her child becomes the source of her unyielding inner strength. Child actress Kim Min-chae brings charm and authenticity to her role as Haesaeng, with her innocent facial expressions creating a heartbreaking contrast against the terror and violence she must endure throughout their journey.
Paradoxically, Jeju Island's vast natural beauty—featuring endless mountain ranges and expansive seas—only serves to make the mother and daughter's desperate flight feel more claustrophobic and hopeless. The stunning landscape becomes both a character in the story and a reminder of the tragedy that unfolded in such a beautiful place.
The film reaches its emotional climax with a powerful visual statement filmed at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park. The camera begins by focusing on individual black gravestones before slowly rising high above the memorial site, gradually revealing thousands upon thousands of monuments arranged in somber, orderly rows. This cinematic technique creates an overwhelming emotional effect that leaves viewers with a heavy, lingering sense of grief and loss.
For many audience members, 'Hallan' will fundamentally reframe their perception of Jeju Island—no longer simply viewing it as a postcard-perfect vacation destination, but understanding it as a landscape still deeply shadowed by unspoken grief and historical trauma. The movie is scheduled for release in local theaters on November 26.
