Birthday 2019
"A story of a family left behind."
Birthday (2019), directed by Lee Jong-un, is a poignant Korean drama that unfolds against the quiet tension of a family struggling to rebuild after years of absence and hardship.
Director: Lee Jong-un
Cast
Sul Kyung-gu
Jung-il
Jeon Do-yeon
Soon-nam
Do Yeong-seo
Ye-sol
Yoon Chan-young
Su-ho
Kim Soo-jin
Woo-chan's Mother
Lee Bong-ryeon
Jung-sook
Park Jong-hwan
Young-joon
Kwon So-hyun
Eun-bin
Sung Yoo-bin
Sung-joon
Tang Joon-sang
Woo-chan
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Birthday (2019) about?
After eight years abroad and in prison, Jeong-il returns home to find his wife and young daughter Ye-sol virtually strangers. As he tries to reconnect and rebuild a family life he barely remembers, the film explores the emotional toll of absence and the fragile process of healing and reconnection.
Who directed Birthday?
Birthday was directed by Lee Jong-un, a filmmaker known for his intimate character-driven dramas that explore emotional and familial complexities.
Who stars in Birthday?
The film stars Sul Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon, Do Yeong-seo, Yoon Chan-young, and Kim Soo-jin, delivering deeply nuanced performances across generations.
Is Birthday (2019) worth watching?
While unrated on IMDb, Birthday offers a moving, thought-provoking drama driven by strong performances and emotional depth. Fans of introspective family dramas with themes of redemption and reconnection will likely find it a rewarding experience despite its subtler pacing.
How long is Birthday?
Birthday runs for 120 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
Birthday: A Family Rebuilt After Absence — Full Movie Info
Birthday (2019), directed by Lee Jong-un, is a poignant Korean drama that unfolds against the quiet tension of a family struggling to rebuild after years of absence and hardship. At its heart is Jeong-il, who returns home after eight years away—first working abroad and then serving time in prison—to find his wife and young daughter Ye-sol virtually strangers. As he attempts to mend fractured bonds and step back into a life he barely remembers, the film delicately explores themes of distance, regret, and the fragile threads of connection that hold families together. With a subdued yet deeply emotional tone, Birthday captures the quiet heartache of second chances and the lingering shadows of a past that refuses to fade.
Lee Jong-un crafts a slow-burning character study, anchored by powerhouse performances from Sul Kyung-gu as the returning father and Jeon Do-yeon as his wife, whose quiet strength masks years of silent endurance. The younger cast, including Yoon Chan-young and Do Yeong-seo, adds emotional depth as the next generation grapples with the weight of unresolved history. Set against the backdrop of everyday life, the film finds beauty and pathos in small moments of reconciliation and missed opportunities, making it a quietly unforgettable meditation on love, loss, and the possibility of starting over.
