Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013) User Reviews

I cried and I am not ashamed of it

[ctowyi · 7/10 · 30 June 2013]

It's contrived, preposterous, emotionally manipulative and sappy but such a crowd pleaser. My specs fogged up a few times because of my hot tears.

Even though it was dripping with schmaltz, I still found myself easily lulled into the story. It's a prison story, a family drama, a redemptive drama, an investigative thriller and a court drama, all rolled into one. The strength with the film lies in its excellent ensemble cast of veteran Korean actors and the little girl - a total natural. I love her character's name, Yesung. Pronounce the name a few times in your head... sounds like Jesus? 

Love the scenes in the cell... It's quite ridiculous but the earnest performances are so good, you will easily overlook the preposterous setups and some of the situations are ingeniously funny.

This film was released in Korea early this Jan and has now become the third highest grossing domestic movie of all time, behind The Host (2006) and The Thieves (2012).

So far this year, this is the only film that made me laugh and cry. An excellent film. The perfect film to bring your other half, especially if she's into Korean weepies. Don't be afraid to show up your new age sensitive self dudes

Total tearjerker!

[rachelleaguas22 · 9/10 · 23 June 2014]

I love watching movies, and this is the first movie that made me cry a LOT (even experienced hyperventilation during some of the really heavy scenes). South Korea is know for their artistic and heavy film making, whatever the genre is, and this film is no exception. Story line is simple; even a child can understand what's going on. We see a goofy and loving father and his Adorable daughter; Rich couple and their innocent daughter taken suddenly by an accident; High official taken by grief due to the loss of a beloved; and a lot of inmates who all have their own special characters to the story. It's the remarkable love between a father and daughter that makes it so simple yet brilliant. First class acting, superb casting, a little bit of comedy. Some scenes are a little too much of a cliché, but who cares? The film totally delivered!

A perfectly crafted drama with perfect tear-jerking moments

[ajit2106 · 8/10 · 5 August 2013]

It is a hard nut to crack to make the audience shed tears while watching a movie. But for that matter it is much difficult to make the audience cry and laugh simultaneously, but "Miracle in Cell No.7" is one of the highest-grossing Korean films and it can! Lee Yong-gu (Ryu Seung-Ryong),a mentally retarded man, working as a staff parking in a shopping center lives with Ye-sung (Kal So-won), aged 6 years. Yong-gu situation never hinder their happiness as a father and daughter. They come to an unexpected event which brings Yong-gu as deceitfully accused of murder and sexual assault of high rank police officer's daughter in their district. Yong-gu is in the prison while awaiting for verdict and it a death penalty, leaving Ye-sung by herself and had to drop out of school to an orphanage. In cell number 7 Yong-gu has five other inmates, Choi Choon-ho (Park Won-sang), Shin Bong-sik (Jeong Man-sik), Man-bum (Kim Jung-tae), Oldman Seo (Kim Gi-Cheon) and so called cell leader So Yang-ho (Oh Dai-su) who was saved by Yong-gu from an attack, after a long time all realize that there was an incorrect judgment against him. They smuggle Ye-sung to the cell to be able to meet with her father, it subsequently changes the sentiment of Warden Jang Min-hwan (Jung Jin-young) in a sympathetic way, and they began to plan an idea to save Yong-gu, if necessary, all will escape from prison.

Nothing changes for a 6 year old even if his father is mentally retarded and both have the intellect of same age. What really matters is love. The unconditional love between a mentally challenged father and his daughter has been portrayed immaculately.

Ryu Seung-Ryong gives a poignant performance as it takes a lot to be consistent in such a challenging role, his body language perfectly describes a mentally challenged man.

Kal So-Won is very pretty and she steals your heart with her innocent and adorable screen presence.

The ensemble does the job effortlessly like an icing on the cake.

Recommended.

8/10

Very worth watching

[dashjoe20 · 10/10 · 10 May 2013]

A true heartfelt comedy. We see a connection between a mentally ill father and his lovingly adorable daughter. A really close one. Although mentally unfit, the emotion and love of the father is undeniable. And then you have a smart and understanding daughter, who loves his father so much and doesn't see her father differently. Behind that, there is a tragically engaging story -- The kind-hearted father, as innocent as he is, accused of murder and rape.

The prison scenes act as an icing to the story. A place so feared and somber, is in fact where most of the comedy takes place. It shows the positive side of a prison life, and that not all prisoners are gangsters or bad. Everyone has a heart, a good one that is. They have made their prison cell a very bearable place. So much that even Ye-Seung, the daughter can hide in it and stay with them.

All characters play very important roles to construct the whole movie. It's fun to watch the prison inmates, all having their very own personality. Ryoo Seung-Yong portrayed the character of the mentally handicapped father very convincingly. And the child actor, Kal So-Won is so cute and sweet and suited her role so much. Even the adult version of the girl turns out to be a real sweetheart and has a very captivating performance.

The movie shows us that you can be someone as high up as a Police Commissioner, but a disgusting personality. Or someone as simple-minded as the father in this story, but with a good heart. Rankings and positions really does not determine a person. Sometimes things are more delightful when it's not complicated, as long as we know to appreciate and cherish all that we have.

This is definitely one of the best Korean movies. Filled with tears and laughters. Yes, you have to prepare some tissues as it gets very teary- eyed towards the end.. and not just once. A fun to watch film from beginning to the end and a compelling drama at the same time, easily grips the hearts of the audience. Very well thought of and extremely well executed. A true gem.

an emotional roller-coaster

[aminifatimaaa · 10/10 · 10 December 2018]

This film will make you laugh. This film will make you cry. Miracle in cell no.7 is a heart-warming story about the relationship between a 6-year old girl and her mentally challenged father whose accused and convicted of a crime he didn't commit. The characters look eccentric yet enchanting thanks to their mesmerizing performance. An immensely satisfying family drama that will leave most of its viewers with a smile on their face & tears in their eyes.

Visualized Masterpiece

[m_rishav · 10/10 · 24 August 2013]

Miracle in cell no.7, one of the highest grossing movie in Korea, is one of the best family drama I have seen in ages. The mentally ill father and the intelligent daughter reminded me of I am Sam, but I liked Seung-yong Ryoo's acting than Sean Penn's.

The movie's plot and story are great and the story inside the prison also grabbed my attention and I loved the way the comedy has been blended with the emotions in the movie. I laughed my a** off for a moment, the other moment tears rolled out of my eyes.

The movie's end is a great tearjerker and will force one to cry. I don't just recommend one to have tissues to wipe their tears but also a friend to have a shoulder to cry on.

Story: 9 Acting:10 Emotions:10 Comedy:9 Overall:10

A must watch for all people.

I loved this Korean movie!

[pagol20 · 10/10 · 2 August 2013]

And I am sure most of you will too. The story revolves around the strong family bond between mentally disabled father Yong-gu and his young daughter Ye-sung. Movie begins with a young woman collecting witnesses and later standing in court to reverse a ruling of a case many years ago. In court she starts telling her story and thats when the real part of the movie begins. A mentally disabled man is torn apart from his little daughter as he is wrongfully accused of a unspeakable crime. He is mistreated by police and prison authorities. In jail he is bullied. But slowly he changes the mind of people around him and hatred turns into care. His daughter is smuggled into the prison and it is there father and daughter can meet again. Comic and enjoyable moments take place within the prison walls. The scenes alternate between being very serious and being comic. Both part is very well done. Its is pulled off by excellent acting. Ye-sung is adorable and acting is outstanding for her age. Yong-gu is the child like father whose only concern is welbeing of Ye-sung.

The movie is not flawless. If you really want to, you really can find some of the events and story illogical or impractical. For example how can he be allowed to be the guardian of this daughter in the 1st place? Surely he is not mature enough to raise a child but it seems neighbors, welfare or school must not be ignorant about it.

I found similarity with the movies Life is Beautiful and Green Mile. Life is Beautiful was a story about a child like father and his son and was a comedy set on a very depressing world. In Green Mile the prisoner has a child like innocence and wins the trust of all the guards.

Usually I don't think it is good idea to mix up very polarized genres. Particularly I don't think its a good idea to mix up something very depressing and dark with comedy. Comedy best works standalone or when mixed with Action or Romance. Hence the genres rom-com or action-comedy. I think when you are watching something depressing and when you are presented with a comic moment its not natural to immediately switch to a laughter mode, and the scene is wasted, and hence its not a great idea to do it in the 1st place. But Miracle on Cell No 7 pulls this off wonderfully with its brilliant cast. But it also made me think if this were only father daughter comedy movie only how fun would that be.

Final verdict: I give it a 10/10. Previously shawshank redemption was my favourite 'prison' themed movie. Now its Miracle on Cell No 7. And to those who has already seen the movie.... yes there was one scene which broke me down completely... there are very few movies I have seen that have moved me this much.

You'll Laugh. You'll Cry. You'll Care. You'll Love. And You'll Have A Great Time.

[CinemaClown · 21 March 2014]

This will make viewers laugh. And this will make viewers cry. Miracle in Cell No. 7 is a heartwarming tale that depicts the relationship between a 6-year old girl & her mentally challenged father who's accused & convicted for a crime he didn't commit. Awaiting the trial, he is assigned Cell no. 7 which consists of the most hardened criminals & unknowingly convinces everyone that he's a good-hearted fellow who couldn't have committed the crime he's accused of. And so, the inmates get together to help him see his daughter again by breaking her in & also start preparing him for his trial.

There is a heavy amount of non-sense & annoyance in the film but there is also a lot of heart that went into its making. Some scenes, no matter how silly or childish, still are able to resonate a feeling of love & the characters look eccentric yet adorable thanks to mesmerizing performances from its cast. The film also carries a huge emotional baggage that is sugar-coated with layers after layers of superbly timed humour but is sure to leave many viewers with tears during its heartbreaking final moments.

On an overall scale, Miracle in Cell No. 7 completely surprised me with its heartfelt narration, plethora of childlike but never childish moments, expert use of slapstick humour, vibrant characters & a heart-winning performances from its cast. It may not be great enough to rank amongst the best films of its genre but its soul is certainly at the right place plus it makes up for an immensely satisfying family drama that will leave most of its viewers with a smile on their face & tears in their eyes. Give it a try.

System overload

[alcosta-197-774442 · 7/10 · 20 April 2020]

The movie concept is great, the little girl is adorable, very good acting from the chief of police, but the movie goes through so many ups and downs that it wears you out to the point you just don´t care at the end.

Korean movies had usually that problem: they exagerate in the melodrama

a heart touching yet breaking drama

[lulumknn · 10/10 · 2 July 2014]

I have to say that I am not a Korean Movie fan. Or else you might say I kinda avoid watching Korean Drama because I personally think that it is way too dramatic. But a friend recommended this movie and I thought "What do I have to loose if I just watch it sometimes?" so I watched it and Oh My God, if you are into sad movie this is a must watch. Even thou if you don't like Korean Movie, still, this one is worth to watch and I am guarantee it myself that this movie will drain your tears (exceptional for those with no heart).

This movie will melt your heart by showing the innocence of a little girl and a gently loving father. It'll show you how great the power of love is through the tears and also the laughter of joys this movie will bring. I personally recommend it to accompany your free time.

so yes, I'm giving 10/10.

korean vs. turkish version

[qqml · 6/10 · 1 November 2020]

This is 2013 korean version and there is a copy 2019 turkish version. This korean version is more like a comedy. It's similar yet different. Similar: main plot, both are exaggerating on the love between father and daughter. Different: ending, one is death and the other is no death sentence.

A Father's Day Special

[nicolas-232-828687 · 10/10 · 10 June 2015]

How are movies rated? By way of cinematography? By how the characters act? By how wonderful the CGI are? By how real the movie is? Or by how much the producer spent in the movie?

I do not really care for all of the above.. For me, I rate a movie 10 if I felt the desire to watch it again after a week. If I selflessly share it with others or brag about how good it was or feel proud when I hear somebody else praise it..Those are my parameters.

I wouldn't have mind if you didn't care how a rated this movie or how I reviewed it if I only wanted it for myself. But I really wanted others to watch it. Watch it especially with their daughter if they have one.

I promise you, this movie will make you laugh so hard but in the end it will make you cry so much..One thing good about movies is, they can make make you laugh and you'll love them, they can make you cry but you'll still love them nonetheless:-) This movie is all about that.

I advise you .. DON'T JUST WATCH IT!.. WATCH IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN...

INTENSE EMOTIONAL SPECTRUM.

[andrewchristianjr · 7/10 · 30 March 2019]

Great film, but not special. I got angry in some of the parts of the film... but some scene worth a diamond :)

Unreasonably high rating

[derek-76178 · 1/10 · 9 May 2019]

The quality of the story is on par with a below average Korean TV drama desperately trying to create an emotional rollercoaster for the viewers without any consideration of a realistic plot. Being familiar with Korean culture and the language, I'm also aware of the shortcomings of their legal system. This portrayal, however, is shocking. Could it really be that bad? The blatant dramatization doesn't help me sympathize with the characters, nor does it make me concerned for what'll happen to the protagonists. It's just one unreasonable scene after another. The high rating of this movie is a head scratcher for me.

There will be times when you laugh;there will be times when you cry. If this one does not move you, nothing will.

[way2smart · 10/10 · 20 October 2014]

Rarely will you see a movie that shakes your soul to the core and this movie manages to do that. For a long time I remained adamant that I will never experience another movie as lachrymose as The Green Mile but I was wrong. My tears just would not stop. The father daughter relationship in this movie is simply beautiful, in some ways ineffable. You have got to watch this movie in order to understand how pure, innocent and affectionate their bond is. Their acting was incredible. The child in particularly was extremely convincing and deserves praise for expressing believable emotions at such a young age. Some might criticise the movie for a few illogical/unrealistic events but I can assure you that this does not diminish the greatness of this movie. What matters in this movie is character development and character interaction which are executed flawlessly. The supporting cast also do an excellent job. Hope, justice, mercy, innocence, sacrifice and affection are some of the themes that are explored in this harrowing and satisfying movie. This movie is right up there with The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile for great prison movies. Please...please do not miss this one.

A movie to remember!

[hani_yassine · 10/10 · 27 September 2016]

i must say this movie is the best movie i ever seen, thanks god i didn't miss it the acting was superb you almost believe that the main actor is a fool in a real life , this movie will make you happy and sad and you will enjoy them both you will enjoy every moment in this movie even the sad moments ! i wont go in details to avoid spoilers but you will not feel it till you watch it, i recommend watching this movie with your kids , it will teach them a lesson about the father love .i'm now a really big fan of Korean movies especially after watching this one sadly most of Hollywood movies now focus on making money more then the content of the movie itself please Korean director keep Korean movies your way!.

A story to be remembered

[sayahmaissa · 10/10 · 1 March 2019]

A story that made me cry and i'm a cold hearted person .. A story that made me feel a real heartbreak ... A story of love , guilt , injustice .. One moment u'r crying , and another one u'r laughing .. U can't help but but feel those mixed feelings while watching .. A great performance by the cast , the little girl is a real talent . A must watch for all

Just out of this world

[rysulhredoy · 10/10 · 15 June 2019]

This is the movie which made me feel every single scene of it. I literally bursted of tears.

Worth it

[ayaahmedaya-43464 · 10/10 · 2 April 2020]

I could not stop crying while I was watching this movie

A touching family drama

[aldri-feb · 7/10 · 15 July 2013]

Yong Gu, a mentally handicapped father had a happy life with his only daughter Ye Sung. One day, Yong Gu was falsely accused of murdering and raping a 6 year old girl whose father is a chief police. Then he was sent into a prison and would be executed. In the prison, Yong Gu is accompanied with 5 cell-mate and do crazy things including brought Yong Gu's daughter into a cell.

Undoubtfuly 'Miracle in Cell No. 7' is trying to be heartwarming and touching drama which sometimes successful to affective audience or even make them cry. It has a mellow storyline about a handicapped father who really love his daughter and willing to do anything to make her happy and safe. In other words, this movie has a clear purpose to build emotional feeling to viewers. Also powerful performances from Ryoo Seung-Ryong and Kal So-Won have supported filmmaker to create that purpose. Unfortunately, the movie suffers with repeatable storyline which would bored some people who has experienced many films. There are many coincidences and some scenes feels dramatized though. Overall, 'Miracle in Cell No. 7' is still fine and acceptable. Lee Hwan-Kyung as director has succeeded combining between comedy and heartfelt drama in a right way. However the movie isn't original and lacks creativity that make some people feel tired seeing it.

Touched my HEART!

[emamul · 10/10 · 8 July 2019]

"It is undoubtedly a masterpiece! You will have a lot of fun but eventually, you will cry a lot. And you will think last time when you cried while watching a movie you can't remember. It's a movie worth watching over 100 times at least!"

It did get me near the end though...

[KineticSeoul · 6/10 · 12 July 2013]

These emotional movies that seem to hit the core of the heart seems to be making hits these days. It might start to become a trend or maybe it already has. It's a good movie but nothing amazing to the point I am not shocked why it was such a big hit in Korea or anything like that. It just didn't grab me emotionally all that much most of the way through. And some parts seemed just too far-fetched or a bit ridiculous. But I guess it had to go in that direction in order to make this story work. The bonding elements just seemed a bit rushed and forced at times and just didn't have that well incorporated flow. The whole bonding with the inmates has been done before but better and when it comes the relationship between the father and daughter. It reminded me of the film "I am Sam" which is a better bond between a mentally handicapped father and daughter movie. The relationship between the inmates and the mentally handicapped father and daughter relationship is done alright to build up for the end. And the main selling point is the near the end part, which actually got me despite the mediocre build up.

6.7/10

This review isn't helpful for you

[abdullahjarif · 1/10 · 3 March 2020]

Too much emotional.that's why 1/10.l Cried after watching this.This movie played a game with us.That's not fair.Please, Don't watch this movie

My first review ... my emotion force me to do it

[dasmaniacool · 10/10 · 27 October 2017]

i watch movie often, so often, at least once till three times a week, yet there is no movie force me to write a review ... until i saw this movie.

This movie is all about love, love of a father to his daughter, love of a bad guy to an innocent man, and also love of a lifetime from a daughter to her father.

The most touching scene for me was when little Yae Seung say thanks to her father ... thank you for being a lovable father ... despite knowing that day is the last day she can saw her father ... darn ... the last time i cry was 20 years ago when i lost my cat ... never thought that this scene could break that.

Some scene might need a little explanation, like how come that "boss" able to make arrangement of that little Yae Seung go to prison, but that was not the point of this movie ...

Awesome character played by awesome actors & actresses , awesome plot, beautifully directed, tears flowing by those dialogues between actor & actress ...

Prepare a tissue while watching ...

I CRIED MY EYES OUT

[h-alslt · 10/10 · 2 January 2020]

Can't describe it

EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT 💔💔😭