Directing

Son Myung-ah

Born in Osaka in 1989, Son Myung-ah is a third-generation Zainichi Korean. After graduating from Kansai University, she worked at a TV production company before joining Bunbuku in 2017. She served as an assistant director on Under the Open Sky, directed by Miwa Nishikawa, and Broker, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. Her directorial debut, the short film Dreams Beyond, was screened at the Short Short…

Known For

Broker

When a young mother reconsiders abandoning her baby, she discovers a scheme selling foundlings for adoption.

Under the Open Sky

Under the Open Sky · 2021

Under the Open Sky

MovieCrimeDrama

Mikami, an ex-yakuza of middle age with most of his life in prison, gets released after serving 13 years of sentence for murder. Hoping to find his long lost mother, from whom he was separated as a child, he applies for a TV show and meets a young TV director Tsunoda. Meanwhile, he struggles to get a proper job and fit into society. His impulsive, adamant nature and ingrained beliefs cause friction in his relationship with Tsunoda and those who want to help him.

Trophy

The story follows So-hee, a 14-year-old Zainichi Korean girl. She goes to a Korean school and devotes herself to Korean traditional dance as her school club activities. One day, at an exchange event with a Japanese school, she befriends Mirai, a Japanese girl who shares her love of K-pop. Through this encounter, So-hee gradually begins to connect with the world beyond her own. As their friendship deepens, the two decide to sell unused items from So-hee's home on a flea market app to earn money for their favorite K-pop idols live tickets. One item fetches an unexpectedly high price-a North Korean CD, which is So-hee's father's. Sanju, the father, is the principal of a Korean elementary school. Emboldened by this success, So-hee and Mirai take it a step further, eventually selling even the medal that Sanju had been awarded by his homeland, North Korea.

Filmography

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Broker

When a young mother reconsiders abandoning her baby, she discovers a scheme selling foundlings for adoption.

Assistant Director

Under the Open Sky

Under the Open Sky · 2021

Under the Open Sky

MovieCrimeDrama

Mikami, an ex-yakuza of middle age with most of his life in prison, gets released after serving 13 years of sentence for murder. Hoping to find his long lost mother, from whom he was separated as a child, he applies for a TV show and meets a young TV director Tsunoda. Meanwhile, he struggles to get a proper job and fit into society. His impulsive, adamant nature and ingrained beliefs cause friction in his relationship with Tsunoda and those who want to help him.

Assistant Director

Trophy

The story follows So-hee, a 14-year-old Zainichi Korean girl. She goes to a Korean school and devotes herself to Korean traditional dance as her school club activities. One day, at an exchange event with a Japanese school, she befriends Mirai, a Japanese girl who shares her love of K-pop. Through this encounter, So-hee gradually begins to connect with the world beyond her own. As their friendship deepens, the two decide to sell unused items from So-hee's home on a flea market app to earn money for their favorite K-pop idols live tickets. One item fetches an unexpectedly high price-a North Korean CD, which is So-hee's father's. Sanju, the father, is the principal of a Korean elementary school. Emboldened by this success, So-hee and Mirai take it a step further, eventually selling even the medal that Sanju had been awarded by his homeland, North Korea.

Director