Hope - Characters & Cast

Initially, her motivation is pure survival. Even in her injured state, she has the presence of mind to call for help and try to remember details about her attacker. As she recovers, her motivation becomes the desire to return to a life that feels safe and to overcome the fear that consumes her. Her love for her parents, though difficult to express, remains a driving force.

So-won begins as a bright and happy eight-year-old. After the assault, she becomes withdrawn, traumatized, and mute, communicating only through writing. A significant part of her arc is her developing fear of men, which tragically includes her loving father. Through therapy, the unwavering support of her family, and her own incredible inner strength, she slowly begins to heal. Her journey is not about erasing the trauma but learning to live with it, eventually reconnecting with her father and finding joy again, culminating in her accepting a new baby brother into the family.

His sole motivation is his daughter's well-being and recovery. He is driven by a desperate need to see her smile again and to restore the sense of safety that was stolen from her. He fights for justice in the courtroom but finds his true purpose in the small, daily acts of love that help her heal.

Dong-hoon is a working-class father who is initially overwhelmed by guilt and rage. His arc is defined by his transformation from a grieving, helpless parent into a proactive, selfless protector. When he realizes his very presence terrifies his daughter, he endures immense emotional pain and finds a creative, sacrificial way to stay in her life by wearing the Cocomong costume. His journey is about channeling his anger and despair into acts of profound love, ultimately helping to mend the broken bond with his daughter and lead his family toward healing.

Her motivation is to see her daughter and family become whole again. She is driven by a fierce maternal instinct to protect So-won from further pain, both from the media and the trauma itself. She strives to rebuild a stable and loving home environment where healing is possible.

Mi-hee is shattered by the assault on her daughter, initially collapsing in grief and struggling with feelings of guilt. Her arc involves navigating her own overwhelming sorrow while also discovering she is pregnant with another child. Initially resistant to psychological help, she comes to understand its necessity for So-won's recovery. She learns to lean on the support of her friends and community, finding the strength to support both So-won and the new life she is carrying, embodying the family's struggle to embrace the future despite the horrors of the past.