Number One quickly attracted attention precisely because it brings back the duo whose on-screen relationship left a strong impression Parasitewhich won four Academy Awards. This time, however, they explore a very different emotional landscape, centered on quiet moments, family bonds and the inevitable passage of time.
Number One is adapted from a well-known Japanese story and focuses on intimate and ordinary moments in which time is no longer invisible but becomes something tangible, something you can count on. The story follows Ha-min, played by Choi Woo-shik, a son who discovers a strange phenomenon: whenever he eats food cooked by his mother, Eun-sil (played by Jang Hye-jin), he sees a steadily decreasing number. When the number reaches zero, his mother will die.
This devastating realization forces Ha-min into a painful paradox. To keep his mother alive as long as possible, he must distance himself from her by avoiding her meals, her care, and even her love. From the familiar and seemingly safe space of the family dinner table, the film unfolds into a touching meditation on loss, maternal love and the inevitability of separation. He silently asks a disturbing question: If we knew exactly how much time we had left with the one we loved, would we live differently, or would we still let precious moments slip away unnoticed?
Director Kim Tae-yong, talking about the reunion Parasite The mother-son pairing emphasizes that although the relationship remains the same on the surface, the emotional tone Number One it’s completely different. Choi Woo-shik plays Ha-min with restrained and introspective acting, capturing the internal conflict between love and fear of loss. Jang Hye-jin gives a warm and understated performance as a mother who gradually feels her son’s distance, without knowing the heartbreaking reason.
The film also marks the return of Kim Tae-yong after a long hiatus. Known for transforming personal experiences into a delicate cinematic language, he previously achieved international recognition at the Cannes Film Festival with the short film Frozen landand later consolidated his reputation through works such as Free me AND Incorrect behavior. For this project, Kim explained that the film is not simply a family story, but also a deeply personal journey, in which he felt involved. “building a family” during the filmmaking process, drawing inspiration from memories of his mother and the irreplaceable comfort of home-cooked meals.
Sources: VTV
