In its fifth week after opening, the film 'The World of Love' (provided/distributed by Barunson E&A (Barunson E&A)|produced by Semosi Co., Volmedia Co.|writer/director: Yoon Ga-eun|opened: Oct. 22) — which rose to No. 5 on the overall box office and surpassed 130,000 admissions — held a successful audience talk on Nov. 24 (Mon) with director Yoon Ga-eun, former prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun and director Byun Young-joo.
Between being popular and seeking attention, an inscrutable 18-year-old high school girl "Juin" refuses alone to join a schoolwide petition that all other students participate in, then begins receiving mysterious notes — the film 'The World of Love' held a successful audience talk at INDIESPACE on the 24th (Mon). The audience talk, moderated by director Byun Young-joo, featured director Yoon Ga-eun and former prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun discussing in depth issues related to sexual violence. Former prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun served as a prosecutor at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, Seongnam Branch, and is the figure who helped spark Korea's MeToo movement.
Former prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun, who said she watched 'The World of Love' on director Byun Young-joo's recommendation, opened by saying, "I usually don't watch films dealing with sexual violence. They typically portray, in a routine way, how much pain and hardship victims endure. But I was glad I watched 'The World of Love' to the end. I loved that it expressed things from a different perspective." Referring to the character 'Juin,' who rejects the notion of being a 'victim,' Seo Ji-hyun said, "People often describe me as 'cheerful.' I suffered harm but I am a cheerful person, and that has been the strength keeping me alive. I was really pleased that the film showed victims can be cheerful and live happily."
Director Yoon Ga-eun said she was very nervous to hold the audience talk with former prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun and asked how Seo viewed the courtroom scenes portrayed in the film. Seo Ji-hyun replied, "For people who haven't seen such courtrooms, it will be a huge shock, but you should understand that things like those depicted in the film happen in many sexual violence trials. Most trials become a witch hunt for victims. When I, as a victim, stood in court, that was the most terrifying. The side of the accused that raises or exposes the victim's private life unrelated to the charges should be penalized."
Director Byun Young-joo added, "The circumstances of the harm and how the victim lived day to day are actually irrelevant." Director Yoon Ga-eun, speaking about interviews she conducted with survivors while preparing 'The World of Love,' said, "One of the hard parts of trials is that for the victim it is a matter of life and death, but when it's handled so mechanically as 'work,' when it feels like they're just processing administration in that moment, that inflicts a deep wound." In response, former prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun said, "The courtroom scenes were expressed really excellently. There seem to be two painful aspects: being subjected to severe personal attacks and suffering because, while my pain is immense, everything proceeds so flatly and emotionally deadpan."
After exchanging sincere dialogue with the audience that filled the seats and completing a Q&A, former prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun said, "I'm so happy and grateful to be part of this wonderful event. I hope more people watch 'The World of Love.'" Director Yoon Ga-eun also said she was deeply honored by the event and concluded, "There were ups and downs while making 'The World of Love,' but I'm grateful it came out into the world, met people, and created opportunities to talk about sexual violence in various ways. Thank you sincerely for coming."
Meanwhile, 'The World of Love,' which recorded an overwhelming 40.2% seat occupancy on the weekend of Nov. 23 (Sun) in its fifth week after opening, surpassed 130,000 admissions on the following day, Nov. 24 (Mon), rising to No. 5 on the overall box office. Approaching its sixth week after opening, 'The World of Love' continues a long run, drawing steady word-of-mouth praise and high interest, and is showing nationwide in theaters.
[Photo] 'The World of Love'
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