Jijimala suni-ya Review: A Quietly Heartbreaking Run

Jijimala suni-ya is definitely one of those films that grabs you right away, but maybe it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for a quiet, emotional punch that stays with you, especially if you like stories about people pushing through impossible odds, then yeah, give this a watch. However, if you prefer fast-paced action or don't really like movies that might make you feel a bit… raw, it might be a tough sit.

Jeong-suk Kim as the young girl, Suni-ya, is just heartbreakingly good here. She carries so much of the film's weight, and you feel her struggle in every frame.

There's this one scene, pretty early on, where she’s trying to catch her breath after just a short walk. The way her shoulders slump, it’s not overdone at all. 😥

Her determination, though, that’s the real core. You see it in her eyes when she reads that newspaper announcement about the prize money, you know? It's not just hope; it’s a desperate kind of resolve.

The family stuff feels so real, too. Not always perfect, but that’s life. Her parents, played by Gyeonghui Jo and Hwa Yim, they’re trying their best.

But you can really sense the quiet despair just hanging around their small house. It makes Suni-ya’s goal feel even more urgent.

There's this one shot of her father, Gwang-je Seo, just staring out a window. He doesn’t say anything, but you just know what he’s thinking. The sheer weight of it all.

The Race

Now, the running competition itself. It's not some grand, Olympic spectacle, not at all. It’s small, local, almost a bit dusty, which makes it feel super grounded.

During the race, there are these quick cuts to her face, then her feet, then other runners, then back to her family watching. You’re totally in her head, you know?

Her legs are giving out, she just keeps going. It's almost painful to watch, in a kinda good way.

I remember thinking during one part, when another runner accidentally bumps her, and she nearly stumbles, how real that tiny moment felt. No dramatic slow-motion, just a quick recovery.

It really shows how much she wants it. Every step.

Little Things

The background noise, you know, the crowd chatter or just the wind, it all kinda just adds to the atmosphere. It’s not a big-budget soundscape, but it totally works.

There’s this moment when she’s practicing, trying to run a little bit, and she passes this old woman who just stops and watches her with this pitying look. It really stuck with me.

You can just see the old woman’s heart breaking for her, right there. Like, clear as day.

The movie doesn’t shy away from showing her vulnerability, either. Her coughing fits, for example, are genuinely hard to watch.

They aren’t just plot points; they’re moments. You feel them.

The pacing is deliberate, for sure. It lets you sit with the characters, absorb their whole situation. Sometimes, maybe a tad slow. But then something happens, a small victory, or a setback, and you’re right back in it.

It never feels overly manipulative, either, which is a big deal for a story like this. It trusts you to feel the emotions without having to spell them out.

No swelling violins at every sad moment, thank goodness. That would’ve ruined it.

Jijimala suni-ya isn't a flashy movie. It's a quiet film about a really tough situation and the incredible spirit of one young girl. 🏃‍♀️

It leaves you feeling a bit drained, honestly, but also oddly hopeful. A good one to chew on afterward.