8 Life lessons to learn from Minari

Read on to know what you can take away from this ground-breaking film,

Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Minari is a film about a family of South Korean immigrants who try to make a living in the United States. This ground-breaking film has been nominated and has won multiple titles at film festivals. It is truly worth the watch.

Here are eight lessons to learn from this film based on family and love.

1. The importance of grandparents

It is truly heart-warming to witness the growing bond between David and his grandmother, Soon-Ja. Although he is initially upset and frustrated by her moving in and often blames her for the difficult time his parents are having in their relationship, the two soon grow closer. Soon-Ja allows David to do things he is forbidden to and the two also explore the river area together, something Jacob and Monica told him was dangerous to do. The duo also plants Minari, a Korean herb, together and this aids their bonding. Additionally, one of Soon-Ja’s traits that makes David love her even more is that she lets him be a child and explore his surroundings. She also puts him at ease regarding his fear of death and sees him as a ‘strong boy’.

2. The difficult choice between career and family

Jacob is determined to make his American dream work for him and his family by running a successful farm. However, the hours he is required to put in to make his dream come true often cause him to lose sight of the people he is bending over backwards for - his family. There is also a heart-breaking moment in the film where he stresses that the farm is his biggest priority. This teaches us that one must find the right balance between career and family and not lose sight of either.

3. Marriage is not a bed of roses

Throughout the film, we witness the strain on Monica and Jacob’s relationship getting worse. Although Monica is not entirely convinced about her husband’s dream, she gives it a shot and supports him. As she becomes more unsure of the future, the relationship between the two worsens. The film portrays the reality of marriages across the world that are held on by a thread, and the audience can’t help but feel for Monica and the internal turmoil she goes through.

4. The significance of Minari

If you’ve watched the film, you probably wondered initially what the significance of Soon-Ja planting Minari was. Minari is a bitter herb that can be compared to parsley and is used in Korean cooking. What makes the plant relevant to the film is that it grows in abundance even after dying in the first season. This speaks volumes about Jacob and his family’s struggles and also teaches us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

5. Be useful

Jacob teaches David a meaningful lesson when questioned about the smoke coming out of the chimney. He explains to Jacob the importance of being productive and useful in a world where one must prove their worth to get ahead in life. In the competitive world we live in, we can all learn from this emotional father-son moment that Jacob and David share.

6. Follow your heart

We witness David’s clear dislike for his old job while he speaks to Monica. He often talks about his urge to seek his greater calling, farming Korean vegetables for Koreans in America craving a taste of home. He puts it all on the line and makes a massive transition with his family. Although following his passion came with obstacles and arguments, it is important to note that hard work and determination brought the Yis to the finish line.

7. Hope

Whether you consider yourself a religious person or not, you can agree that the film gives the audience an unexpected hope in times of trouble. The film focuses on the invisible works of God and the favours he has done for the Yi family. At one point in the film, Jacob says, “This is my church.” This statement makes us believe the world as a whole is something to worship, love and care for.

8. Love triumphs all

When the Yi family returns home to find that Soon-Ja has accidentally set the farm ablaze, Jacob and Monica rush to save everything possible. In the meanwhile, a distraught Soon-Ja walks away from the sight in a worrying state. When David and Anne lay eyes on her, they follow her immediately to bring her back home, as their parents are busy with the farm. It is heartwarming and fearful to see David run after his grandmother despite his heart condition. Even though they knew their grandmother had probably cost their family their living, their love and concern for her triumphs all.

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