Kim Hyang-gi, now 25, is returning to the screen as a mother in the film Hanlan, marking a notable turn in her long-running career as a beloved former child star. The film’s distributor, Triple Pictures, released the main trailer on its official channel on the 6th.

Hanlan unfolds a survival drama set in 1948 Jeju, tracing the grueling journey of a mother and daughter who cross mountains and seas to endure. In the film, Hyang-gi portrays Ajin, a 26-year-old mother who raising her six-year-old daughter Haesan (Kim Min-che) amid the era’s upheavals on the island. The trailer opens with a tearful Haesan pleading, “Mother, please don’t leave me behind,” as Ajin responds with reassurance about reuniting with their father and following her grandmother’s guidance, highlighting the maternal bond through separation.

The title Hanlan refers to an orchid that blooms in winter, using a harsh blizzard on Hallasan to symbolize the mother and daughter’s desperate struggle to survive. Hyang-gi delivers all lines in Jeju dialect to maximize immersion and authenticity. Reactions from fans who watched the trailer ranged from high anticipation to strong emotional pull, with many expressing eagerness to see her performance.

Hanlan is directed by Ha Myung-mi, who previously gained recognition for Her Hobby and has earned accolades in the festival circuit. The film is scheduled to open on the 26th, with Hyang-gi’s portrayal drawing particular attention ahead of the release.