Return to Seoul (2022) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
Return to Seoul follows Freddie, a young French woman adopted from South Korea as a baby, as she returns to her birth country to reconnect with her roots. The film's ambiguous ending leaves her emotional journey unresolved, emphasizing the complexity of identity, belonging, and the scars of adoption. Freddie remains torn between her French upbringing and Korean heritage, unable to fully reconcile the two. The final scenes depict her wandering Seoul, symbolizing her perpetual search for self. The film suggests that some questions about identity may never have clear answers, leaving viewers to ponder the emotional weight of adoption and displacement.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The ending of Return to Seoul is deliberately open-ended, reflecting the protagonist Freddie's unresolved emotional turmoil. After attempting to connect with her biological parents-her father, who is initially welcoming but later reveals his own regrets and limitations, and her mother, who refuses to meet her - Freddie is left adrift. The final scenes show her aimlessly walking through Seoul's neon-lit streets, a visual metaphor for her internal wandering. She is neither fully French nor Korean, existing in a liminal space where belonging feels perpetually out of reach. The film resists a tidy resolution, underscoring the idea that adoption trauma and identity crises are not easily resolved.
Freddie's journey is marked by self-destructive behavior-heavy drinking, reckless decisions, and emotional outbursts-which peaks in the film's climax. Her confrontation with her biological father reveals the deep wounds on both sides: his guilt for giving her up and her anger at being abandoned. The conversation ends without closure, mirroring the unresolved nature of her search. The director, Davy Chou, intentionally avoids sentimentality, opting instead for raw, uncomfortable realism. The ending suggests that Freddie's quest for identity is cyclical, not linear, and that her pain may never fully dissipate.
The cinematography in the final scenes reinforces Freddie's isolation. Wide shots of her dwarfed by Seoul's sprawling cityscape emphasize her smallness in the face of her unanswered questions. The muted color palette and ambient noise of the city create a sense of alienation, contrasting with the vibrant, chaotic energy of her earlier adventures in Seoul. This visual storytelling implies that while Freddie has physically returned to her birthplace, she remains emotionally untethered. The film's title, Return to Seoul, becomes ironic-it's not a homecoming but a confrontation with the impossibility of truly returning.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Does Freddie ever find peace with her identity?
- Possible Answer: The film suggests no-her identity is fractured, and peace may be unattainable.
- Alternative Interpretation: Her wandering at the end could signify the beginning of acceptance, not resolution.
Why does Freddie's biological mother refuse to meet her?
- Possible Answer: Shame, fear, or unresolved trauma from the adoption.
- Alternative Interpretation: She may have moved on and sees no benefit in reopening old wounds.
What does Freddie's self-destructive behavior signify?
- Possible Answer: A manifestation of her internal chaos and unresolved anger.
- Alternative Interpretation: A cry for help, a way to feel something tangible in her emotionally numb state.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Return to Seoul is a poignant, emotionally brutal exploration of identity and displacement. The ending is frustrating in its ambiguity but brilliantly honest-adoption stories are rarely neat, and Freddie's journey reflects that messy reality. The film's strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers, instead forcing viewers to sit with the discomfort of unresolved pain. Park Ji-min's performance as Freddie is raw and mesmerizing, capturing the character's volatility and vulnerability. While the lack of closure may dissatisfy some, it feels true to life. The film lingers long after the credits roll, a testament to its powerful storytelling.
Ultimately, Return to Seoul is less about finding answers and more about the search itself. It's a film that demands reflection, asking viewers to consider the weight of heritage, the scars of abandonment, and the elusive nature of belonging. The ending, though bleak, feels like the only honest conclusion for Freddie's story.