Minari’s success at the Academy Awards this year has indeed stolen the attention of many observers, who would have thought, apparently other Korean immigrant-themed films are also of equally good quality. Happy Cleaners is an American film directed by two filmmakers of Korean descent, Julian Kim and Peter S. Lee. This film stars Hyang Hwa-lim, Charles Ryu, Yeena Sung, and Yun Jeong. So what makes this film different from Minari?
The film tells the story of the life struggles of a husband and wife immigrant from Korea after decades of living in the US with their laundry business. The story also sheds light on their sons and daughters’ lives born in the US, who have a different perspective from their old-fashioned mother and father with hereditary mindset and traditions. Changes in many things that happen around them, forcing them to fight hard to survive.
I would choose this film over Minari. Problems and problems in Happy Cleaners are much more grounded and resonate today. The main conflict is simple and cliché, namely money, but this can lead all characterizations in each character to run uniquely according to their respective perspectives. The mother always feels right by pressuring her husband, son and daughter to follow her mindset. Meanwhile, the calm father is a hard worker and does not compromise much with his wife. The daughter, Hyunny, does not only work to support her family’s living expenses but also her boyfriend, which the mother doesn’t want. Meanwhile, Kevin, the mother’s biggest enemy, dropped out of school and wanted to work in a city across from.
The problems that arise one after another make each character have to adapt to their new situation. This is interesting. The process is patient and natural, showing how each one makes peace by living his way. Many touching moments had sprung up here, between the four of them. One fascinating thing, in each segment, there is always a dining scene that is presented differently from other scenes. Often the cooking process is highlighted in detail and takes a long time. The scene of eating together is vital because it is at this moment that they always meet.
Happy Cleaners is a Korean immigrant family drama film that is unpretentious, down to earth, and touching, with the support of captivating acting plays from all of its main casts and carrying a strong family message. Minari also told about how Korean immigrants struggled, but with a different time setting. Watching Minari is like watching a classic film, while Happy Cleaners highlights everyday life in modern times. The best choice, of course, depends on the experience of each of us in life. Both are memorable films, especially where the anti-Asian issue is currently hot in the US. The struggle for human life to be “marginalized” in Minari and Happy Cleaners is a portrait that can happen to anyone and any race. After thousands of years, the issue of racism still seems to be a scourge for humanity, and it looks as if we don’t want to learn that we are not alone and side by side.
