“I believe in mathematics. Not only in textbooks, but I believe it can explain the whole universe. But still, math doesn't really help my life.” Hyung-joo’s monologue at the beginning succinctly summarizes the plot of Journeys in Math and Genetics, a film that keeps you smiling throughout. As a 16-year-old math prodigy, he endeavors to grasp the complexities of the world through mathematical concepts but always fails. The untimely death of his mother profoundly shocks him, leading to further questioning of the world. The decision to undergo genetic testing also stems from the doubts about inheriting the disease gene from his mother. Upon receiving startling results, he delves into her diary and uncovers three potential fathers, embarking on a journey to obtain their genetic samples. Hyung-joo, a firm believer in mathematics, holds that life should be devoid of errors. The innocent sixteen-year-old’s ingrained belief in the zero-error myth starts to crumble as he meets the three men. For Hyung-joo, this journey may be a process of personal growth and acceptance of life’s imperfections. Jeong Damin’s portrayal of Hyung-joo and Kim Se-won’s acting, which has left an impact in various independent films, are impressive, along with the performance of the singer Kim Ildu, featured as one of the potential fathers, who delivers his signature song No Problem. (MOON Seok)