A promotional image for Jota Mun's documentary "Between Goodbyes" (2024) / Courtesy of Jota Mun
"Between Goodbyes" is an amazing documentary by talented filmmaker Jota Mun that premiered in Korea and continues to make waves throughout the international film scene. It follows Mieke, an ethnic Korean who was sent to the Netherlands at a young age for adoption. The film focuses on Mieke as she experiences a moment many adoptees long for: reuniting with her birth mother. But her journey doesn't stop there — she also meets her extended birth family. As moving as this reunion is, it is only the beginning.
The film does a remarkable job of exploring such a reunion's complexities and emotional weight. It delves into Mieke's perspective and offers something rarely seen in films — an intimate look at the birth family's emotions and experiences. Often, in both fictional and documentary storytelling, the birth mother or family appears only at the end, their reunion portrayed as an unfiltered moment of joy. "Between Goodbyes," however, presents a more nuanced reality. Mieke's birth mother, Okgyun, opens her heart to the audience, sharing the relief, happiness, stress and frustration that come with reconnecting. She faces the challenge of communicating with and understanding the daughter she once gave birth to — now a grown adult raised in a different culture. These emotions unfold not just in sometimes tense or awkward interactions but also in deeply personal interviews and moments of reflection.
One particularly poignant scene features Okgyun meeting another Korean birth mother who recently reunited with her child. Their shared experiences highlight the joy of reconnection as well as the struggles of maintaining a relationship across countries and cultures. Both women long to be close to their children, yet they must also navigate the reality of giving them space as independent adults with established lives. Mieke, too, grapples with this balancing act — figuring out how to integrate her birth family into a life that has already been shaped without them. The film gives us insight into the overwhelming nature of this process as Mieke works through guilt, love and the challenge of finding her own way forward. It's not about keeping anyone at a distance, but about finding a path through emotions that have no easy guide.
Adoptee Mieke, left, filmmaker Jota Mun, second from left, and Mieke's birthmother Okgyun pose during a screening in New York in late 2024. Courtesy of Carlos Sanfer
Amid the heavier moments, "Between Goodbyes" also captures the joy and warmth of bonding. We see Mieke not only connect with her birth family but also share meaningful moments with her partner. While same-sex relationships remain a sensitive topic in Korea, Mieke's birth family welcomes her partner wholeheartedly. They may not fully understand this part of her life, but they accept it with love. At one point, the family reflects that had Mieke grown up in Korea, she might not have had the same freedom to make this choice. This makes a particularly touching scene all the more powerful — when the family gathers for a symbolic marriage ceremony in Korea. Although same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in Korea, the moment brings everyone together, serving as an emotional turning point. While earlier in the film, the family faced difficulties that led to a period of emotional distance, the ceremony becomes an icebreaker, allowing them to reconnect and better understand one another.
Throughout the documentary, Mieke and Okgyun show remarkable courage in sharing their emotions so openly. They air their grievances, listen to one another and take steps toward mutual understanding, all while allowing the filmmaker to document their journey. Their raw, unfiltered moments invite the audience to root for them — not for a perfect ending, but for the ongoing process of healing and connection.
Filmmaker Jota Mun skillfully balances both perspectives, allowing the narrative to unfold naturally without forcing one viewpoint over another. Every scene is carefully placed, adding to the story's depth. The contrasting settings of Korea and the Netherlands provide visual and emotional context, while adoption — often discussed as a political issue — is presented with honesty and without judgment. What begins as one person's story grows into something much larger, ultimately leaving the audience with an open-ended but deeply human conclusion. Though Mieke and her birth family must continually say both hello and goodbye, the bond they share is one that can never truly be left behind.
The film bears a powerful message about connecting and reconnecting with family, one that applies to viewers beyond the adoptee community. It shows that in listening to one another and maybe meeting somewhere in the middle, we can learn to reconnect with one another and gain an even deeper or better bond. There are no finite beginnings and endings, just different ones, and with each chapter, we can start anew.
Mun, who is also an adoptee, unintentionally found healing as well during the filmmaking process. Filmed before and during the pandemic, the director was especially moved by Mieke's journey as well as meeting Mieke's birth mother. Piecing together the movie and listening to interviews also gave Mun new perspectives of adoption from the view of the birth mothers. It resulted in a new understanding of a birth mother's mental and emotional state and the difficulty for them to reach out as well.
Filmmaker Jota Mun, second from left, adoptee Mieke (third from left) and Mieke's birthmother Okgyun, fifth from left, pose with family members during a screening in New York in late 2024. Courtesy of Carlos Sanfer
"Between Goodbyes" continues to find audiences and has gained critical acclaim. It was well received at the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival and the Incheon Human Rights Festival, and was screened at prestigious festivals in New York City, Chicago and Santa Fe. Its international run continues, with showings at the CinemAsia Festival in Amsterdam and two other film festivals in the Netherlands. It is also set to return to the United States, with planned screenings in Seattle and San Diego.
Visit betweengoodbyes.com and follow @betweengoodbyes on Instagram for more information.
Antonia Giordano is a freelance photographer and writer based in Seoul. An adoptee, Antonia deeply understands and connects with the issues surrounding adoption and post-adoption. Visit giordanoantonia.myportfolio.com and follow @antonia_creative_services on Instagram.