Period
1980s
The period shapes the technology available to the village's small local response.
Hope
Original name: Hopeu
In the remote South Korean village of Hope Harbor, police chief Bum-seok and officer Sung-ae investigate unexplained signs of a dangerous creature.
Title meaning
The village is called Hope Harbor. In English, hope means wanting something to happen or be true.Time & setting
The period, place, and situation at the start of the story.
Location
Hope Harbor, a remote South Korean village near the DMZ
The border setting helps explain why movement around the village is restricted.
Story setup
A possible tiger sighting puts the village on alert
The opening response depends on a small group of local police and residents.
People
The three local characters to recognize first.
Bum-seok
Hwang Jung-min
RoleHope's police outpost chief.
In this filmHe coordinates the village's early response.
Sung-ae
Hoyeon
RoleA police officer serving the village with Bum-seok.
In this filmShe is the other local police figure to recognize alongside Bum-seok.
Sung-ki
Zo In-sung
RoleA local man called in when danger is suspected.
In this filmHis early dialogue frames the threat as a possible wild animal.
Groups
The local teams responding to the first signs of danger.
Hope police outpostPolice outpost
The village police outpost led by Bum-seok.
In this filmIts response warns civilians, calls up reservists, and puts them on patrol.
The hunting partyHunters
Local gun owners and trackers assembled after the sighting.
In this filmThey initially approach the danger as a problem involving a wild animal.
Diverted reinforcementsHelp diverted
County and firefighting personnel based outside Hope.
In this filmWildfire response has left them unavailable to assist the village.
Places
The geography behind the village's isolation.
Hope HarborRemote South Korean village
A remote village in South Korea.
In this filmIts elderly population makes the limited local response more urgent.
The mountains and forestNearby forest
The rugged terrain surrounding Hope Harbor.
In this filmReported footprints draw attention there, while minefields restrict movement.
The DMZ border regionKorean border
The border region near the village.
In this filmDMZ entry requires authorization, and the Civilian Control Line exists to restrict civilian access. Dialogue also mentions minefields and wire fencing.
Connections
How the people, groups, and places connect at the start.
Bum-seok
- works alongside Sung-ae.
- leads Hope police outpost.
- Sung-ae serves with Hope police outpost.
- Sung-ki joins The hunting party.
- The hunting party searches The mountains and forest.
Vocabulary
Story and setting terms followed by challenging words from the film.
ReservistReserve member
MeaningA member of a military reserve.
In the filmThe emergency network is used to call up reservists.
CarbineShort rifle
MeaningA usually light, short-barreled rifle.
In the filmThe opening dialogue identifies a carbine and says it is registered.
MinefieldExplosive area
MeaningAn area where explosive mines have been placed in or on the ground.
In the filmThe dialogue says, “we are surrounded of minefields.”
ReinforcementsExtra support
MeaningAdditional people or material sent to strengthen a group.
In the filmThe opening response includes a call for reinforcements.
PatrolWatch an area
MeaningA person or group sent out to watch over an area.
In the filmThe reservists are ordered onto patrol immediately.
Emergency networkUrgent communication
MeaningA communication network used here to call up reservists.
In the filmThe group uses it to call up reservists.
- obstructingHinder
- To hinder passage, action, or operation.
- commotionNoisy confusion
- A condition of noisy confusion or tumult.
- infiltrationSecret entry
- Entering or penetrating gradually or secretly.
- evacuateMove to safety
- To remove people from a place of danger to a place of safety.
- fortressFortified place
- A building or position designed to resist attack.
- respiratoryBreathing
- Relating to breathing or the organs used to breathe.
- ammunitionBullets or shells
- Materials, such as bullets or shells, used in weapons.
- crouchBend low
- To stoop or squat, especially with the knees bent.
- footprintsFoot mark
- An impression of a foot on a surface.
- flashlightHand light
- A small battery-powered light carried by hand.
- reservoirWater store
- A natural or artificial lake used to collect water.