A Normal Family

A Normal Family (Korean: 보통의 가족) is a 2023 South Korean drama film directed by Hur Jin-ho and written by Park Eun-kyo and Park Joon-seok, based on the 2009 novel The Dinner by Herman Koch. It is the fourth film adaptation of the novel, following the 2013 Dutch film Het Diner, the 2014 Italian film I nostri ragazzi, and the 2017 American film The Dinner. The film stars Sul Kyung-gu, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Hee-ae, and Claudia Kim.^[4] It centres on two wealthy families who meet for dinner to discuss and decide how to handle a violent crime committed by their children.^[5]

A Normal Family
Theatrical release poster
Hangul	보통의 가족
Hanja	普通의 家族
RR	Botongui gajok
MR	Pot'ongŭi kajok
Directed by	Hur Jin-ho
Written by	Park Eun-kyo Park Joon-seok
Based on	The Dinner by Herman Koch
Produced by	Kim Won-kuk
Starring	Sul Kyung-gu Jang Dong-gun Kim Hee-ae Claudia Kim
Cinematography	Go Rak-sun
Edited by	Kim Hyung-joo
Music by	Cho Sung-woo
Production companies	Hive Media Corp Higround
Distributed by	Hive Media Corp Mindmark
Release dates	September 14, 2023 (2023-09-14) (TIFF) October 9, 2024 (2024-10-09) (South Korea)
Running time	116 minutes[1]
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean
Box office	US$6 million[2][3]

The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 2023,^[1][6] and was released in South Korea on October 9, 2024.^[7]

Plot

Jae-wan is a successful lawyer who is hired to defend a wealthy executive's son who intentionally killed a man and severely injured the man's daughter. Jae-wan's younger brother, Jae-gyu, is a principled paediatrician who prioritizes his patients' health over personal gain and profit. The brothers and their wives meet monthly and enjoy luxurious meals at high-end restaurants, but when they learn of a violent crime committed by their teenagers, it challenges their moral values and changes the tone of their usual dinner discussions. As the situation escalates, their seemingly close brotherly bond starts to fade.^[8]

Cast

• Sul Kyung-gu as Yang Jae-wan^[9]
• Jang Dong-gun as Yang Jae-gyu^[9]
• Kim Hee-ae as Yang Yeon-kyung^[9]
• Claudia Kim as Ji-su^[9]
• Hong Ye-ji as Hye-yoon^[10]
• Kim Jung-chul as Yang Si-ho
• Byun Joong-hee as Jae-wan and Jae-gyu's mother
• Choi Ri as Seon-ju
• Yoo Su-bin as Hyung-cheol
• Yoo In-sun as Na-rae's father
• Roh Jae-won as a doctor

Release

The film was officially invited to the Gala Presentation section of the 48th Toronto International Film Festival, where it was screened on September 14, 2023 worldwide, and was invited to 19 overseas film festivals, including the 26th Udine Far East Film Festival, the 18th London Korean Film Festival, the 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the 26th Taipei Film Festival. It won Best Screenplay Award at the Director's Fortnight at the 44th Fantasporto International Film Festival and the Screenplay Award at the 39th Mons International Film Festival. It had domestic premiere in the 'Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere' at the 29th Busan International Film Festival in October 2024, before its release in theaters.^[11]

Accolades

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards	2025	Best Supporting Actress	Claudia Kim	Won	[12]
Buil Film Awards	2025	Best Supporting Actress		Pending	[13]
		Best New Actress	Hong Ye-ji	Pending
Director's Cut Awards	2025	Best Director (Film)	Hur Jin-ho	Nominated	[14]