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Logline

Inspired by a true scandal, a devoted assistant to a world-renowned stem cell scientist uncovers the dark secrets behind a cure that promises to end disability.

Synopsis

In 2005, Dr. Park Ho-Won, a charismatic veterinarian and stem cell pioneer, introduces Terrius, the world’s first cloned dog, to global acclaim. His lab’s mission to end human disabilities inspires his team, including Do-Hee Lee, a talented assistant researcher in her 30s who idolizes Dr. Park’s vision. After Do-Hee suffers a miscarriage, she throws herself into work, becoming obsessed with Noo-Ri, a 9-year-old patient with disabilities who is a candidate for the lab’s stem cell treatment. Dr. Park convinces her to donate her eggs for research, promising career advancement.

As Do-Hee grows close to Noo-Ri, she uncovers discrepancies in the data, realizing the lab’s celebrated breakthroughs may be falsified. She discovers a potential cancer risk linked to the stem cell technology and uncovers Dr. Park’s secret dealings, including suspicious interactions with Noo-Ri’s parents. When Do-Hee confronts Dr. Park, he manipulates her, threatening her career. On the day of Noo-Ri’s surgery, Do-Hee attempts to rescue him but ultimately lets him go, realizing the situation’s complexity.

At home, Do-Hee finds a letter from her husband Dae-Soo revealing his heartbreak over her work obsession. Overwhelmed by guilt, she decides to expose Dr. Park’s fraud, leaking her findings to a journalist. The media storm leads to Dr. Park’s conviction but isolates Do-Hee professionally. Despite death threats and personal repercussions, Do-Hee finds an ally in Noo-Ri’s father, Young-Ro. When Noo-Ri passes away from losing hope, Do-Hee faces the painful consequences of her actions. She eventually reconciles with Dae-Soo, who rescues her from an attack by Dr. Park’s supporters. Do-Hee’s sacrifice becomes a symbol of integrity in science, reminding others of the importance of truth, even at great personal cost.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Daeil Kim — Writer/Director
Daeil Kim is a Korean-American filmmaker based in LA. His cinematography work, The Things We Keep, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. At 24, he wrote, directed, and shot White Demise (2021) on a $14K budget, later distributed by Gravitas Ventures. His latest short, Loving Day, won Audience Awards at the Asian Pacific Film Festival and recently screened at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival. A USC MFA graduate and Annenberg Fellow, Kim co-founded Xylograph Films, creating acclaimed shorts, commercials, and music videos. He has received the Sony Future of Cinematography award, the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant, and the Alfred P. Sloan Production Grant (2024).

Justin Nguyen — Producer
Justin recently graduated from USC’s Peter Stark Producing program. He spent his undergrad in NYU’s Film & Television program with a double major in Psychology. After leaving New York, he found himself as a high school Forensics Science teacher and an owner of a local Bay Area escape room, which he built with his closest friends. He has directed, written, and produced award winning films & music videos. As an independent producer, he has several short films and one Feature film under his belt. He is currently a Director’s Assistant @ Look at the Moon Pictures.

Qingyi Song — Producer
Qingyi Song is a filmmaker from China with a passion for visual storytelling, focusing on producing and creative development. She is currently a senior at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, pursuing a B.F.A. in Film and Television Production with a minor in Public Relations, and has recently begun her master’s program in Law Studies. Qingyi has produced several projects, including her recent thesis film, The Day You Find Your Name, a narrative short highlighting the life of Afeni Shakur. She has also interned at acclaimed companies such as MACRO and Rideback. Inspired by a wide range of films growing up, Qingyi believes in the power of cinema not only to entertain, but also to reflect, heal, and inspire change. She is committed to telling impactful stories that uplift and amplify underrepresented voices.

Nicholas Buckwalter — Cinematographer
Nicholas Buckwalter is a cinematographer drawn to darkly absurd stories and overlooked characters. A former child magician and part of the first generation raised chronically online, his work explores the inner lives of outsiders who rarely appear on the big screen. As a founding partner of Dogma Studios, he’s created music videos for artists like Jack Harlow, Travis Barker, and Lil Yachty, with work featured on BET, MTV, and Pitchfork. He’s also led branded campaigns for Puma, Arcteryx and Audemars Piguet, and recently partnered with Complex on a short docu-series. A USC School of
Cinematic Arts graduate, his thesis film he shot Siren Salon has screened at LA Shorts, Hollywood Shortsfest, and Camerimage.

Yun Gu — Production Designer
Yun Gu is a Los Angeles-based production designer and graphic designer originally from Suzhou, China. She holds an MFA in Production Design from the American Film Institute and a BFA in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Yun has served as production designer on a diverse range of short films across various genres and time periods. Her work on The Hicks Happy Hour earned a Student Emmy Award and was selected for the Tribeca Film Festival, among other international festivals. With a keen eye for everyday moments, Yun translates subtle observations into visual designs that bring warmth and texture to the screen.

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Contact

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