Synopsis
Mei, a twelve year old girl, used to live with her grandparents up in the mountains, where every
night, her grandfather would take her to see the most beautiful stars. After being taken back to
the city, she has been having a hard time both at home and at school. Isolated and ignored, her
only escape is through her imagination and her fondest memories of the starry night.
One day, Mei meets a transfer student, Lee, who seems more detached from the world than she is;
Mei takes an instant liking to him. Though at first it is hard for Lee to open up to Mei, they finally
become friends when Mei saves him from a bunch of school bullies. With Lee around, it is easier
for Mei to ignore the constant fighting between her parents, which seems to grow more
aggressive every day. The confidence this friendship brings Mei makes her want to reach out to
the world around her; but the world is cruel and their initiative to be a part of society is only met
with hostility and betrayal. At home, matters get worse when Mei’s parents announce their plan
for a divorce.
Mei and Lee decide to do the only thing they can think of, which is to run away from home.
Taking the night train up the mountains, they plan to walk deep into the forest, all the way to
Mei’s grandfather’s cabin. In the mountains, they get lost, they quarrel, they get caught in a storm,
and their friendship grows stronger from the adventure. During the adventure, Lee opens up to
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PUSAN PROMOTION PLAN 2010
Mei and lets her know that he and his mother are victims of domestic violence. When they finally arrive at grandfather’s cabin to see the starry night, Mei collapses from a high fever.
When Mei finally wakes up, she finds herself in a hospital. By her bed, Mei’s parents tell her that they have decided to hold off on the divorce. Mei waits at the hospital for Lee, but he never shows. The person that does show up is Lee’s abusive father, looking for his son. Mei knows that she will never see Lee again, but she will always be thankful for his friendship through the most difficult times of her life. And she will never forget that which they will forever share together; the beautiful starry night.
- Based on Jimmy Liao’s Illustrated book The Starry Starry Night.