[Written/Watched Nov 10, 2019 on Letterboxd.]

Stories about the dubious practice of the mail-order-bride system (marriage agencies) usually aren't my cup-of-tea. That "Dear Lena" dared to tackle the story of Russian-born Korean woman named Lena, and a farmer with aspirations to be a father, gave me certain ideas about where the story could've gone (that I'm glad it didn't).

As a slice-of-life story, "Dear Lena" merely explores how the title character adjusts to life in South Korea outside the context of Russia. It's not interested in being critical of marriage agencies, and even less interested in examining the controlling nature of the men in Lena's life.

Her relationship with her husband is largely portrayed as positive, with him wanting to do everything he can for her when he finds out she's sick. The film, at the very least, ends with her independence and freedoms recognized.