TLDR;
"Miracle in Cell No. 7" is a heartbreaking story about a man with an intellectual disability, Yong-gu, who is wrongly accused of murder and his loving relationship with his daughter. Despite his imprisonment, Yong-gu's fellow inmates help him see his daughter again, forming a strong bond. Ultimately, Yong-gu is executed, but years later, his daughter becomes a lawyer and proves his innocence.
- A man with an intellectual disability is wrongly accused of murder.
- He forms a strong bond with his daughter and fellow inmates.
- The inmates help him see his daughter again in prison.
- He is ultimately executed despite their efforts.
- Years later, his daughter becomes a lawyer and proves his innocence.
Introduction [0:00]
In 1974, a miscarriage of justice became South Korea's highest-grossing film, "Miracle in Cell No. 7". The film, set in 1997, tells the story of Yong-gu, a man with an intellectual disability, and his daughter. Despite his disability, Yong-gu's love for his daughter is immense, and he works hard to provide for her.
The Incident [0:47]
Yong-gu promises to buy his daughter a Sailor Moon backpack, but tragedy strikes when he is falsely accused of murder. The daughter of a police chief dies after an accident involving Yong-gu, who was trying to help her. A woman misinterprets his actions as molestation, leading to his arrest.
Imprisonment and Cell Number 7 [2:17]
Yong-gu is sentenced to death and imprisoned with hardened criminals in cell number seven. Initially disliked and mistreated, Yong-gu gains respect after saving the cell leader from an assassination attempt. The inmates then decide to help Yong-gu see his daughter again.
Smuggling the Daughter into Prison [4:05]
The leader of the cell, who has connections, arranges for Yong-gu's daughter to be smuggled into the prison during a performance. Hidden in a box, she reunites with her father, bringing joy to the other inmates. However, their presence is risky, as discovery could lead to longer sentences for everyone.
Life in Cell Number 7 [6:13]
The prisoners struggle to keep the girl hidden from the guards, who patrol the cell frequently. Despite the stress, the girl's presence brings warmth and tenderness to the hardened criminals. They treat her like their own daughter, creating a family-like atmosphere.
Failed Escape Attempts [6:54]
The inmates plan for the girl to escape during a religious event, but their plan fails when they realize it is a Buddhist ceremony instead of a Christian one. The warden becomes suspicious and eventually discovers the girl, leading to Yong-gu being placed in solitary confinement.
Yong-gu Saves the Warden [8:37]
During a prison fire, Yong-gu saves the warden's life, leading the warden to question his guilt. As a reward, the warden allows Yong-gu to meet with his daughter again, but the visit is short-lived. The warden's doubts about the case grow stronger as he witnesses the deep bond between father and daughter.
The Warden's Investigation [10:12]
The warden arranges for Yong-gu's daughter to visit him every weekend, bringing joy to cell number seven. He begins to investigate the case, discovering inconsistencies in Yong-gu's confession. However, the police chief, blinded by grief, refuses to reopen the case.
The Trial [11:52]
The inmates help Yong-gu prepare for his final trial, piecing together the events of the accident and writing a new testimony for him to memorize. However, the police chief threatens Yong-gu before the trial, causing him to confess to the crime in court. The court upholds the death sentence.
The Prison Break Plan [13:49]
The inmates decide to help Yong-gu escape, constructing a hot air balloon. The escape attempt fails due to the prison's security net, but the inmates put all their effort into making the dream come true.
Execution and Aftermath [14:31]
On his daughter's birthday, Yong-gu is executed. The warden takes Yong-gu's daughter under his care, and she grows up to become a lawyer. Years later, she proves her father's innocence, overturning the wrongful conviction.