When living with a single father, Da Eun is uncertain about who her father really is. Her doubts escalate when she coincidentally watches a movie based on a real-life story of a young boy’s abduction and murder. The movie is being screened as the case is nearing its expiration date. At the end of the movie, the audio recording of the real abductor is played, and Da Eun is stunned to recognize the voice identical to her father’s. Moreover, a stranger recognizes Da Eun and her father, Jung Son Man, making her even more suspicious about her father’s crime. Does Da Eun’s father have anything to do with the abduction case? Let’s delve into the synopsis and movie review of Blood and Ties (2013) below.
Synopsis
Year of Release: 2013
Genre: Crime, Drama, Family, Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
Director: Guk Dong Seok
Starring: Son Ye Jin, Kim Gab Soo
Jung Da Eun (Son Ye Jin), Kim Jae Kyoung (Lee Gyu Han), and Bo Ra (Jo An) discuss the kidnapping case of Han Chae Jin. Jae Kyoung informs them that the case is nearing its expiration date. Da Eun firmly believes that criminal cases against women and children should not have a time limit, and abduction and murder perpetrators must receive maximum punishment. Bo Ra inquires if these perpetrators should receive the death penalty. She points out the death penalty has not been implemented in Korea since 1997, and it has also been abolished in international law. Da Eun still concurs with the death penalty as it is what the culprit deserves. Their conversation happens to be enlightening for Da Eun as she has an upcoming exam on the same topic.
Suddenly, Da Eun spots her father, Jung Son Man (Kim Kap Soo), whom she confronts. He feigns not knowing her due to embarrassment regarding his current occupation. Fortunately, Da Eun’s friends treat him cordially, unlike her father’s expectations. Da Eun is not worried about her father’s job, but she is anxious to learn about her job application. Unfortunately, she is not selected and receives no reason for her failure. Son Man is heartbroken; he blames himself for not having a stable job that could help Da Eun. Da Eun consoles him by taking him out for some spicy noodles.
After consoling her father, Da Eun needs to perk herself up. She, along with Jae Kyoung and Bo Ra, watches a movie adaptation of Han Chae Jin’s abduction case. During the movie’s ending, the real abductor’s audio recording is played, where Da Eun is surprised to hear her father’s voice. He had uttered a sentence that he frequently uses. After the movie ends, Da Eun is still in shock, and Bo Ra blurts out that the voiceover sounds similar to Da Eun’s father’s. Da Eun loses her temper, and before heading home, listens to the recording again on the internet.
The movie’s release, based on a real-life story, leads to an increasing number of police reports, resulting in a burden for the police department.
While having a meal with Bo Ra, they reconcile, and Bo Ra, indirectly suggesting Da Eun investigate her father, uses her father’s infidelity case as an example. Da Eun starts to investigate her father silently, looking through his phone and laptop folders. Da Eun follows her father to work and even gets into a fight with a lady who mistreats Son Man. Their estranged relationship mends. However, when an unknown man shows up, claiming to know Son Man, he requests Da Eun to hand over a piece of paper to her father. The paper contains a telephone number, and Son Man claims to have no knowledge of the man, whom he eventually contacts. The mysterious stranger uses a nickname for Son Man. Who is the stranger and, more importantly, is Son Man the real abductor and murderer of Han Chae Jin fifteen years ago?
Conclusion
Blood and Ties (2013) is a thrilling movie filled with conspiracy, doubt, and mystery. It is a captivating Korean movie that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. It excellently portrays how a daughter uncovers the shocking truth about her father, and what she does next is up to her conscience. The movie subtly captures the essence of the death penalty and how the absence of the same can impact the justice system. Son Ye Jin’s acting is remarkable, and every scene she appears in is captivating. The director deserves applause for how he keeps the audience guessing about Son Man’s involvement in the abduction case. The suspenseful sequences in Blood and Ties will make anyone ponder how far they would go to uncover the truth about their parents, especially if there is a possibility of them being an abductor.
