Dooman River plot
"Life is hard."
The Dooman River is a dangerous river to cross. The river, which forms the border between North Korea and China, is heavily guarded by soldiers and the ice is very thin when frozen. Many North Koreans nevertheless venture to the crossing to obtain better food for their families. One of those boys befriends 12-year-old Chang-Ho, who makes the crossing much more often to care for his sick, blind sister. Together they travel back and forth and meet many others who join them.