Cherry Tomato 2008
Park-Goo scrapes by on Seoul's streets, pulling a rusty cart to collect recyclables for himself and his granddaughter Da-Sung, a bond that keeps them clinging to life's fragile threads.
Director: Jeong Yeong-bae
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cherry Tomato (2008) about?
It follows Park-Goo, a street recycler raising his granddaughter Da-Sung, whose fragile world collapses when his son steals their savings and a construction crew destroys his cart. Struggling to feed Da-Sung, Park makes a fateful decision that spirals into tragedy.
Who directed Cherry Tomato?
Jeong Yeong-bae helmed this socially charged drama, known for his intimate portraits of marginalized lives in urban Korea.
Who stars in Cherry Tomato?
The film stars Shin Gu as Park-Goo, Kim Hyang-gi as his granddaughter Da-Sung, and Kim Young-ho in a pivotal supporting role.
Is Cherry Tomato (2008) worth watching?
Despite its unrated status, Cherry Tomato offers a poignant, low-key drama that resonates with anyone touched by economic hardship or family bonds. Its grounded realism and strong performances make it a worthwhile watch for fans of character-driven cinema.
How long is Cherry Tomato?
Cherry Tomato runs 102 minutes.
About Cherry Tomato (2008) — A raw Seoul drama about survival and sacrifice
Park-Goo scrapes by on Seoul's streets, pulling a rusty cart to collect recyclables for himself and his granddaughter Da-Sung, a bond that keeps them clinging to life's fragile threads. Their tenuous existence shatters when Park's son, freshly released from prison, empties the family's meager savings and a construction crew crushes the cart that is their only livelihood. With Da-Sung hungry and no roof to call home, Park takes desperate measures at the home of the construction boss, only to stumble into a cruel twist of fate involving a poisoned slab of meat. Jeong Yeong-bae's Cherry Tomato (2008) unfolds as a raw, socially conscious drama that peers into the heartbreaking margins of modern urban life, blending quiet desperation with fleeting moments of human connection.
Cinematography steeped in the muted grays and faded reds of a city in the grips of relentless change mirrors the emotional exhaustion of its protagonists. Shin Gu delivers a quietly devastating performance as Park, while Kim Hyang-gi captures Da-Sung's resilient innocence amid the surrounding chaos. The film casts a stark spotlight on poverty, family loyalty, and the invisible barriers that isolate those left behind by progress, all tied together by a plot that pivots on one unforgettable, tragic misstep.