A new Korean film is bringing attention to one of the most personal struggles facing couples today: infertility. Set for release on November 19, "Deprivation" explores the emotional journey of a couple desperately trying to have children while South Korea grapples with one of the world's lowest fertility rates. The 85-minute drama offers an intimate look at how the dream of parenthood can both unite and divide a marriage.
Co-directed by Kim Sol-hae and Lee Do-jin, the film follows Ji-yeon, played by Kim See-eun, a woman consumed by her desire to conceive. Her character explores every possible option for pregnancy, including multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization. Meanwhile, her husband Do-jin, portrayed by director Lee Do-jin himself, becomes increasingly exhausted by the repeated failures and begins questioning whether they should accept their life as a childless couple.
The movie doesn't shy away from showing the raw reality of infertility struggles. Ji-yeon's desperation manifests in both heartbreaking and darkly comedic ways throughout the film. She follows a shaman's advice about the best location for conception and even resorts to standing on her head after intimate moments with her husband. These scenes blend tragedy with moments of absurdity, highlighting how far couples will go in their quest for parenthood.
As Ji-yeon becomes more obsessed with having a baby, Do-jin finds himself emotionally drained and begins withdrawing from their relationship. To escape the constant pressure and disappointment at home, he starts working late at the office more frequently. This growing distance between the couple illustrates how infertility can strain even the strongest marriages.
Kim See-eun delivers what critics are calling a quietly powerful performance at the center of the film. Through subtle facial expressions and small physical gestures, she conveys the full range of Ji-yeon's emotions, from hope and determination to despair and resignation. Her portrayal captures the painful reality of how an intense desire for children can gradually consume a person's identity and sense of self.
The film takes a thoughtful, non-sensationalized approach to depicting infertility, a struggle that many modern couples face in silence. Rather than exploiting the subject for dramatic effect, the directors present an honest, unvarnished look at this deeply personal experience. Their goal is to provide comfort and recognition to couples going through similar challenges by showing them they are not alone.
"Deprivation" marks the feature-length directorial debut for both Kim Sol-hae and Lee Do-jin. The project holds special significance as it draws from director Lee's own personal experience with infertility in his marriage. The filmmakers have stated that their intention was to closely examine the emotional burdens and private struggles of two people facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
The film's English title "Deprivation" differs from its original Korean title "Tongjam," which translates to "deep sleep." The directors chose this Korean word specifically because it's commonly used by parents when wishing for their babies to sleep peacefully. For the childless couple in the film, this represents an unreachable hope and dream that remains forever out of their grasp.
The movie has already begun receiving critical recognition on the international film festival circuit. "Deprivation" won the prestigious Cineteca Nacional Mexico Award at the 2024 Jeonju International Film Festival, indicating strong appreciation from both critics and international audiences for its sensitive handling of this universal subject.
South Korea's demographic crisis provides an important backdrop for the film's release. The country has long struggled with declining birth rates and has earned an unfortunate reputation as a society that discourages childbearing. However, "Deprivation" reminds viewers that despite these broader social trends, there are still many couples who desperately want children and suffer quietly when they cannot conceive. The film arrives in theaters at a time when conversations about fertility, family planning, and societal expectations around parenthood are more relevant than ever.
