“Next Sohee” will be released in local cinemas on Feb. 8.

As the title suggests, “Next Sohee” asks if there will be another 'So-hee' and whether similar cases will continue to occur.

Director, July Jung’s new project, “Next Sohee” is based on a true event :

 'a high school student who took her own life after a grueling job training program at a call center in 2017'.

The character of 'Kim So-hee', played by 'Kim Si-eun', is an impulsive, hot-tempered high school student whose passion is dancing. The film opens with ‘So-hee’, in an empty dance studio, practicing a choreography.

But she collapses as she begins an internship at a grueling call center, part of her school’s curriculum, despite studying pet care. 'So-hee' tries to remain hopeful so as to not disappoint the adults in her life - her teacher, boss and parents.

She works hard. So-hee’s job is to stop angry customers who want to cancel their subscriptions.. She is evaluated by her numerical output.

She spends more than nine hours at a call center office filled with claustrophobic cubicle booths, 'So-hee' repeats the same conversation and listen to verbal abuse from callers.

'So-hee' asks for help, but adults tell her to just endure.

So-hee does not have the protection of a contract: Rather, her position as an intern makes her vulnerable to exploitation for cheap labor. All she can do is drown her sorrows in alcohol.

The first half of the film ends with 'So-hee' ending her own life.

The film’s remaining half is led by detective 'Oh Yoo-jin' (Bae Doo-na) who follows So-hee’s case and reveals the real cause of her death, confronting institutions like schools and companies that profit off youths’ labor.

Like many stories of this kind, pinpointing one culprit is not easy.

“Is this a school or an employment agency?” ‘Yoo-jin’ asks a teacher in fury.

In the wake of ‘So-hee’s death, adults continue to blame the victim.