Kim Dong-yeon: "The film 'Da-eum Sohee' is my story... I will lead a provincial administration that residents can rely on"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon posted a message and photo on his SNS on the 18th after watching the movie "Next Sohee."

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, promised on the 18th to lead the Gyeonggi provincial government that residents can rely on after watching the film "Next Sohee," which uncovers the structural contradictions of our society.

On the 18th, Governor Kim posted on his social network service (SNS), "I watched the film 'Next Sohee,' which I mentioned at the recent (provincial office department head) executive meeting," adding, "I watched it together with director Jung Joo-ri, writer Heo Hwan-joo, and graduates and current students of specialized high schools."

He then reflected, "I myself was 'Sohee' a long time ago," saying, "I was employed as a contract worker while in my third year at (Deoksu) Commercial High School, and the following year I received a formal appointment."

He continued, "After the screening, I saw residents who recognized me taking photos together, and one viewer cried, saying, 'How can you watch such a film and then smile while taking photos?' and 'This is all the politicians' fault!' and expressed anger," adding, "Their words were correct, I was not at all offended, and I fully agree that this is a structural problem in our society and the responsibility of politicians."

Furthermore, he said, "President Kim Dae-jung once said that when you see injustice, you should 'at least curse while staring at the wall,'" urging residents to actively participate in provincial governance by saying, "When you raise your voices, society progresses even a little."

He also promised, "Since I mentioned this film at the last meeting, many employees have expressed a desire to watch it," and "I will provide an opportunity for those who wish to think about how to contribute to solving social structural problems through the film."

In particular, he emphasized, "Not only on-site trainees but also socially vulnerable people who have nowhere to rely on, countless 'Sohee's still exist throughout our society," and "I will do my best to make the Gyeonggi provincial government a place they can lean on."

Earlier, at the 'Weekly Department Head Meeting' held on the 15th at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office multipurpose conference room, Governor Kim said, "There is a recently released film called 'Next Sohee' that talks about the difficult parts of our society, vulnerable groups, and young people working in tough situations," and urged, "Like the film's title 'Next Sohee,' I hope we do our best to take care of people's livelihoods so that not a single 'Next Sohee' emerges in Gyeonggi Province."

Director Jung Joo-ri's film "Next Sohee" deals with the structural problems of our society through the story of Sohee, a specialized high school student who went on an internship at a large corporation's call center before graduation, suffered verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and unfair treatment, and passed away, with a detective uncovering the full story of her death. The film is based on the real case of a high school girl who was found dead after five months of internship at Jeonju Reservoir in 2017.