Watching this film, "Preparation" (Taiwan release title: "The Most Beautiful Promise") cost me half a box of tissues—no exaggeration. Even my friend who rarely cries (the "pampered young master") couldn't help but cry at the end and shouted, "Why is this so realistic!" By comparison, "Along with the Gods" just felt mediocre to us... (personally, I prefer the character designs in the manga QQ)
Usually, Korean films that become huge hits and get attention in Taiwan require famous celebrities to draw crowds. For example, "Train to Busan" had Gong Yoo, which led people to care about "The Handmaiden"; "Along with the Gods" had Ha Jung-woo, reminding people of "The Handmaiden."
But I really love watching these indie films, especially those focused on family, warmth, and emotion. They always make me cry repeatedly. This time, "Preparation" made my eyes swell, and my head ached for nearly half a day—the kind of sadness where tears just pour out uncontrollably. The previous film I watched, "I Can Speak" (Taiwan release: "Fabulous Grandma Speaks English"), also made me cry, but the grief of standing in the protagonist's shoes, the catharsis of revealing a long-hidden secret... well, I won't spoil it. The trailer completely avoided mentioning it, deliberately creating that shock value. You absolutely must watch this one!
Back to the main point—"Preparation" tells the story of a mother who has selflessly cared for her son for 30 years. As her life nears its end, she "prepares" everything her son—who has physical and mental disabilities and will soon be left alone in the world—will need. This warm drama centers entirely on the long-term care issue, depicting the unknown hardships and careful devotion involved.
Note: Long-term care (English: Long-term care, abbreviated LTC) is a service that helps patients with chronic illnesses or physical and mental disabilities who cannot care for themselves long-term, meeting various medical and non-medical needs.
The protagonist, "Choi In-gwae" (played by Kim Sung-gyun, previous works: "Reply 1994," "Reply 1988"), is born with physical and mental disabilities. His mother, "Ae-soon" (played by Go Doo-shim, a veteran actress and numerous entertainment awards recipient), has cared for him for thirty years. In-gwae cannot manage his own life. The first thing he says every morning upon waking is, "Mom, cook me food."
In-gwae, who loves eating, is an adult but mentally and behaviorally like a child. He steals his niece's allowance to buy snacks at convenience stores, can eat two people's worth of fried eggs by himself. He loves sneaking to the kindergarten to spy on pretty teachers through binoculars and enjoys watching TV programs like National Geographic about the Arctic and Antarctica—he yearns for freedom and loves nature.
But In-gwae is most afraid of people staring at him and whispering mockingly. Even if it's not directed at him, his inferiority complex makes him feel they're laughing at him as a "fool." At such moments, In-gwae becomes violent and has been to the police station multiple times. Not because he's a bad child, but because this is the only way he can defend the deepest, most sensitive pain in his heart. (This scene made me cry hard.) Yet he's also someone who stands up to his brother-in-law to protect his sister. He's so pure-hearted.
In-gwae loves his mother most, but when throwing tantrums, he tells her "I don't want you," "I want to live alone"—like anyone during rebellious phases who say such "insincere" things to their parents. Every day, In-gwae and his mother go to a small food stall in the plaza to do business. Though customers are few, they manage to get by. His mother has barely let In-gwae leave her side.
So when a social welfare officer (played by Park Chul-min) suggests In-gwae could find work specifically for people with disabilities, the mother flatly refuses. She even tells the officer her life's only wish: "Let me die on the same day as my son, that's all." These ordinary words, seemingly impossible, completely reveal how much the mother worries about her son being alone.
Life continues peacefully until the mother is diagnosed with stage 3 brain tumor with only six months to a year to live. Of course, illness is a cliché, but that's when things change. The mother begins taking In-gwae around to inquire about facilities that can care for him. With limited resources, she can only afford public institutions where multiple people with disabilities are crowded into one room, the environment poor, able only to see outside through windows. How could In-gwae, who loves nature so much, live like that?
"Mom, quickly take me away from here. In-gwae doesn't like it here." Even In-gwae, who struggles to express himself, felt fear. How could such a loving mother let go of her worry? From here, the film's title "Preparation" truly resonates. The mother asks the social welfare agency to find In-gwae a suitable workshop.
She even pleads with the officer to let her personally train In-gwae to become "an adult capable of independent living." How difficult is that for someone with disabilities who, for thirty years, has never managed any aspect of life independently? In-gwae resists at first but gradually, through his mother's patient companionship, learns to overcome his psychological barriers using "methods an intellectually limited person can understand," becoming quite proficient (you must watch this process yourself).
Including self-care, work, cooking, taking transportation, and making friends—the mother uses experiential methods to teach In-gwae everything. Of course, she worries during this process, but knowing she'll soon die, everything depends on "preparation"—learning to let her child become independent.
"If you misbehave, Mom will come back and hit you!" The hospitalized mother once told In-gwae this, so when he doesn't see his mother for many days, he deliberately gets injured so she'll worriedly visit the emergency room. In-gwae, who was becoming independent, reverts to acting spoiled, wanting his mother's help with everything. Realizing this won't work, the mother teaches In-gwae about death through "Three Little Chickens":
"Death means this person will never come back," "But you must promise me—on that day, you cannot cry. You must be very strong, or your sister will be so sad." Finally, the mother passes away. In-gwae keeps smiling, his bright smile facing the photograph of his mother, waving and smiling as he sends her off. This scene is absolutely devastating, which is why Taiwan translated it as "The Most Beautiful Promise." Even as I write this, I can't help but tear up.
During the film, I kept asking myself, "If this were my child, what would I do?" Honestly, I don't think I have the courage to give up everything and properly care for a child for thirty years. In the film, the mother once considered taking her son's life with carbon monoxide. This reflects how much psychological and physical pressure long-term care providers face in reality. Detailed instructions needed for everything—food, clothing, shelter, transportation. Half a person's life passes this way. I don't think I'd have such capability.
After watching this film, beyond feeling sorry to my own family (far more impactful than "Along with the Gods"), I understand why society frequently reports tragic news from long-term care families. A loved one killing a loved one—who would want that?
"Dad, is it okay if I kill you?" Father Kills Cerebral Palsied Son Under Extreme Care Stress
A 44-year-old man named He from Taipei, exhausted from caring for his 21-year-old son with cerebral palsy, drove him near Songshan Airport two years ago and ended his life with his own hands. He claimed there was no premeditation, but seeing his son slip from his chair, he casually asked, "Dad is bad and wants to kill you. Is that okay?" His son said "okay," and as he strangled his son, the boy offered no resistance.
Nailing Dead Wife, 9-Year Sentence. Widower Says: Why Not Sentence Me to Death
An 84-year-old man named Wang Jing-xi couldn't bear his elderly wife's suffering after breaking her leg and struggling with Parkinson's disease. Last year, he sedated his wife, then drove a screwdriver into her skull with a hammer, killing her. After being arrested, he protested that if Taiwan had euthanasia, "Why would I personally kill my wife?"
Taiwan released this film on 2017.12.22. The nationwide box office was only 140,000 dollars, and no theaters are currently showing it. However, you can find it online. By all means, prepare tissues. I guarantee you'll cry until your eyes swell. QQ
