Director Kim Dae-hwan, who has garnered attention from both domestic and international film festivals with 'Cheorwon Journey' (2014) and 'First Journey' (2017), returns with his new work 'I Can't Help but Keep It a Secret' (written and directed by Kim Dae-hwan, produced and distributed by AD406 Co., Ltd. and Sure Pictures). This film will be screened at major domestic film festivals, starting with the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival, followed by the 13th Muju Mountain Film Festival, the 12th Chuncheon Film Festival, and the 20th Busan International Children and Youth Film Festival, and has received significant interest from general audiences, recording full house attendance at every screening.
Particularly, with its release scheduled for September 10, director Bong Joon-ho has praised Kim Dae-hwan's direction and the ensemble cast, generating even more buzz.
World-renowned director Bong Joon-ho described 'I Can't Help but Keep It a Secret' as 'a cheerful family drama newly woven by master Kim Dae-hwan, who excels at portraying Korean characters,' and lauded the film's delicate direction and the cast's ensemble.
Bong Joon-ho noted, 'The intense energy emanating from top-tier actors such as Jang Young-nam, Ryu Kyung-soo, Stephanie Lee, Ok Ji-young, Park Ji-il, and Park Ji-ah is masterfully blended by the director into an ensemble of characters with exquisite nuances.' He added, 'Especially, the unique nuances displayed by actress Park Ji-ah in her role as a mother convey both hilarious humor and strange pathos at the same time.'
He further stated, 'Just as secrets exist to eventually be uncovered, the characters reveal their internal feelings, showcasing a panorama of uniquely foolish yet adorable individuals. Through powerfully weaving their stories together, director Kim Dae-hwan once again expands his filmography.'
In this work, director Kim Dae-hwan has attempted a different approach than in previous films. He captured the intricacies of character relationships and inner layers while enhancing the film's tension, and he presented moments where generations, cultures, and values intersect with humor and warm emotions. This builds an emotional connection that various generations can relate to, approaching the universal theme of family from a new perspective.
With diverse acting spectrums, actors such as Jang Young-nam, Ryu Kyung-soo, Stephanie Lee, Ok Ji-young, Park Ji-il, and Park Ji-ah enhanced the film's quality. The exchange of glances, breaths, and dialogue among the characters reveals the meaning of familial relationships and the changing values of the times.
'I Can't Help but Keep It a Secret' will be released on September 10, 2025. The film delves deeply into the truths and emotional layers hidden within the closest relationships that families share, promising to deliver laughter, empathy, and lingering impressions to the audience.
Above all, with the upcoming release, director Bong Joon-ho is set to participate in a 'Talk with the Audience' (GV) for 'I Can't Help but Keep It a Secret,' raising expectations even higher. His decision to engage directly in the GV, rather than merely offering praise, reflects his deep trust and affection for director Kim Dae-hwan and the cast, and is likely to become a special moment for the audience.
[Photo] Movie poster
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