A South Korean family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they find the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. A film by Lee Isaac Chung, starring Steven Yeun, Han Ye-Ri, Youn Yuh-Jung, and Will Patton.

Korean couple Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Han Ye-Ri) relocate from California to their plot of land in Arkansas with their daughter Anne (Noel Kate Cho) and son David (Alan Kim), who lives with a congenital heart condition.

Jacob is optimistic about the future, while his wife Monica is disappointed by their move to a rural countryside, where life is less convenient than in the city. Nevertheless, she tolerates the situation for the sake of their children and to support her husband’s dream and determination to start over and establish a sustainable family.

Jacob and Monica, both employed as chicken sexers at the nearby hatchery. Jacob excels at separating female chicks from male chicks. The female chicks will undergo feeding programs for egg production, while the male chicks will be terminated, as they are generally not profitable and can reduce feeding costs.

Though their income suffices for the family, Jacob aspires to be more than a worker. He dreams of creating a sustainable income by cultivating his own produce, vegetables, and fruits. He befriends Paul (Will Patton), an American veteran of the Korean War, who becomes his employee and supportive friend.

The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953. The war began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following years of hostilities between the two countries. North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union while South Korea was supported by the United States and allied countries. The Korean War was a major conflict of the Cold War and among the most destructive conflicts of the modern era, with approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II or the Vietnam War.

As Monica’s mother, Soonja (Youn Yuh-Jung), arrives from South Korea to visit her grandchildren, everything seems to fall into place. Soonja brings traditional Korean food and condiments, evoking memories of Monica’s homeland. She also helps care for the children while Monica and David work at the hatchery.

Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari, a heartwarming American Dream tale of a Korean immigrant family, is superbly realized through Chung’s incredible screenplay, spectacular cinematography, and brilliant cast, all elevated by Emile Mosseri’s beautiful score.

Through Chung’s masterful storytelling, even the mundane becomes captivating. Every cast member delivers a genuine and believable performance, especially Youn Yuh-Jung as the kind and gentle grandmother who steals our hearts every time she appears on screen.

It will break your heart, only to piece it back together stronger than before. — The Boston Globe

MANARI premiered at Sundance Film Festival on 26 January 2020. The film received its virtual release on 11 – 17 December via Lincoln Center Virtual Cinema. It was scheduled for theatrical released in the United States on 12 February 2021.

Minari (미나리) commonly known as waterdropwort or Korean watercress, is one of the popular namul vegetables in Korea.

MINARI earned six nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor (Steven Yeun), and Best Supporting Actress (Youn Yuh-Jung)

Youn Yuh-Jung won Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Korean to win an Academy Award for acting.

MINARI also won Best Foreign Language Film at Golden Globe, and earned six nominations at the 74th British Academy Film Awards, including Best Casting, Best Original Music, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director และ Best Film Not in the English Language, which Youn Yuh-Jung won an award for Best Supporting Actress.