SPOILER ALERT: the following article contains massive spoilers, including the ending. If you have not yet seen the movie, proceed at your own risk, or better, come back to this article later!
A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Minari Video Summary
Minari Plot Summary and Synopsis
The Korean American Yi family moves from California into their new plot of land in rural Arkansas, where Jacob hopes to grow Korean produce to sell to vendors in Dallas. He enlists the help of Paul, a local man who is religious. While he is optimistic about the life ahead, his wife Monica is disappointed and worries about their son David’s heart condition. Jacob and Monica work sexing chicks at the nearby hatchery and argue constantly while David and his sister Anne eavesdrop.
They arrange for Monica’s mother Soon-ja to travel from Korea.
To help watch the kids during the day, they arrange for Monica’s mother Soon-ja to travel from Korea. David, who is forced to share a room with her, avoids her because she does not conform to his idea of how a grandmother should be. Still, Soon-ja attempts to adjust to life in the States and bond with the children.
The well that Jacob dug runs dry. Jacob is reluctant to pay for county water but eventually is forced to do so. He runs into additional difficulties, such as the vendor in Dallas canceling their order at the last minute. Still, he perseveres despite Monica’s repeated desire to return to California. This strains their marriage closer to a breaking point.
Meanwhile, Soon-ja takes the children to plant minari seeds by the creek.
Meanwhile, Soon-ja takes the children to plant minari seeds by the creek. She tells them of how resilient and useful the plant is, and predicts plentiful growth. David finally begins to warm to his grandmother after she teaches him card games, bandages his wounds, and soothes him to sleep.
Soon-ja suddenly suffers a stroke overnight. She survives with medical treatment but is left with impaired movement and speech.
Jacob, Monica, David, and Anne head to Oklahoma City for David’s heart appointment and to meet a vendor to sell Jacob’s produce. Although they learn that David’s heart condition has dramatically improved and Jacob makes a deal to sell vegetables to a Korean grocer, Jacob also indirectly admits to Monica that the success of his crops is more important to him than the stability of their family. Following an emotional argument, the two tacitly agree to separate.
Soon-ja accidentally sets the barn on fire.
However, Soon-ja accidentally sets the barn containing the produce on fire in their absence. Upon arriving home, Jacob rushes in to save the crops, and Monica soon follows. Eventually, the fire grows out of control, and they decide to save each other while leaving the barn to burn. A distraught and confused Soon-ja begins to leave, but Anne and David rush to bring her back and comfort her.
Minari Ending
Sometime later, Jacob and David head to the creek to harvest the minari, which had grown successfully. Jacob notes how good of a spot Soon-ja picked to plant them.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0).
The Ending Explained
The protagonist overcame his fears and insecurities and is ready to continue is life a new version of himself.
Source: © Cooncel.com.