Tae-jeo, a correctional officer with 15 years of experience, learns about the death of an inmate's mother during a night shift. On that winter night, she visits the funeral home and unexpectedly meets the inmate's daughter, Jun-young. Their encounter brings warmth to both their lives, and Tae-jeo hopes Jun-young understands: “Every decision you make shapes who you become."
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From the beginning to the middle of the film, the main characters remain expressionless. Tae-jeo, a correctional officer, Jun-young, a girl living alone in an inn without her mother, and Mi-young, an inmate referred to as Number 432 in the prison where Tae-jeo works, all wear the same lifeless looks. Though the reasons for their lack of expression may differ, it's clear that the weight of life they each carry is what leaves them all with such blank faces. Home Behind Bars highlights the changes in the characters' expressions. After Mi-young loses her mother but isn't granted leave, Tae-jeo visits the funeral home on her behalf. There, she finds Jun-young sitting alone in front of the funeral portrait, and can't help but feel concerned for her. As Tae-jeo's hardened heart starts to soften through her connection with Jun-young, her expression gradually changes. Jun-young's face, too, brightens as she senses that someone truly cares for her. The film conveys the characters' inner lives with subtle shifts in expression, offering more meaning to those who observe closely. It's refreshing to see actor Song Ji-hyo return to a serious role after her variety show appearances, and the presence of Kim Bo-min and Ok Ji-young raises expectations even further. Yoon Hye-ri's portrayal of Hye-rim, the only one to display vivid emotion among expressionless characters, is also impressive. (MOON Seok)
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