Wishing Stairs

Plot

Yun Jin-sung, a modest girl from a humble background, and Kim So-hee, a privileged and graceful student, are friends studying ballet at an all-girls art school. So-hee dances mainly to please her mother but shows natural talent, gaining favoritism from faculty, while Jin-sung works hard to escape her friend's shadow. Despite circumstances, the two remain close, and it is implied that So-hee harbors deeper feelings for Jin-sung. Their friendship sours when they compete for a single spot at a Russian ballet school, with odds favoring So-hee.

Jin-sung climbs the stairs, finds the 29th step, and wishes for the spot. When So-hee is selected instead, Jin-sung declares hatred toward her and accidentally sends her down a flight of stairs during a row. So-hee is hospitalized and later rendered unable to pursue ballet. Jin-sung tries to see her but is turned away; the next day, So-hee has committed suicide.

Jin-sung becomes the target of bullying, as others believe she intentionally injured So-hee. Jin-sung gets the ballet school spot, but her classmates treat her coldly, and So-hee's ghost begins to haunt her.

Release

Wishing Stairs was released on August 1, 2003, and exceeded 680,000 nationwide audiences within three days. By August 10, it had surpassed 1.3 million nationwide audiences. In the Philippines, Cinema Service released the film on February 11, 2004. The film achieved $377,298 USD in Singapore over 11 days and recorded overseas exports of $500,000 USD across 10 countries including Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand.