‘The Family Table,’ a Korean drama examining the aftermath of a school bullying incident, was showcased at the Asian Project Market (APM) during the Busan International Film Festival. Directed by Lee Hanju, the film follows Gyu-seong, a 42-year-old man who has always preferred to avoid conflict. His quiet existence is shattered when he discovers his 12-year-old daughter, Ji-woo, has been subjected to sexually inappropriate comments at school.
After the school relies on procedure to suppress the issue and a review committee fails to reach a definitive conclusion, Gyu-seong decides to take legal action. As the litigation drags on, financial strain and public scrutiny begin to erode the family’s stability. The narrative takes a turn when new information emerges regarding Chan-yeong, a 12-year-old boy previously identified solely as the aggressor, prompting Gyu-seong to question whether his motivation is truly justice or a release of long-suppressed resentment.
Lee stated that the story originated from the myriad injustices individuals accept to maintain peace. The director posed two core questions: “What does it really mean to live as a ‘good person’? And what happens when someone who has always yielded to others and avoided confrontation finally speaks up for something they cannot afford to lose?”
The filmmaker expressed a desire for audiences to remain engaged rather than seeking simple answers. “Someone who has been harmed in one relationship may cause harm in another. An action taken in the name of justice can, at some point, inflict another wound on someone we love,” Lee explained. The goal was to portray characters with complexity, avoiding clear distinctions between heroes and villains.
Producer Kang Jeongwon highlighted the central paradox of the project: a struggle to protect a family can simultaneously destroy its daily life. “The question that stayed with me was: Why does doing the right thing come at such a high cost?” Kang said. He noted that the screenplay blends family drama with mystery elements that compel viewers to reconsider their judgments of the characters.
With a first draft already completed, the team is refining the screenplay. Although rooted in Korean society, Lee believes the themes of familial isolation under institutional pressure have universal appeal. Consequently, the producers are open to international co-production and potentially adapting the setting outside of Korea.
At the market, the producers are seeking co-production partners with experience in social-issue dramas, sales agents for distribution planning, and investors to finalize financing. The aim is to commence production in the latter half of 2027.
In addition to this project, Lee is developing ‘Shoot-Off,’ a sports mystery centered on two female competitive shooters whose rivalry is complicated by personal trauma. Pre-production for that film is underway, with filming scheduled to start in December 2026 and completion expected by mid-2027.
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