Director Hong Sang-soo's recent status has once again drawn public attention. Last year, after actress Kim Min-hee was photographed walking while holding a newborn baby, images of director Hong photographed at the Berlin International Film Festival about 10 months later were released, continuing to stir interest.
Earlier in April last year, photos showing the two walking in Misa Lake Park in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, circulated on online communities. Kim Min-hee was holding a newborn baby in her arms, and director Hong was smiling as he looked at the child. The child was also presumed to be the son of the two, whose birth had recently been reported.
The two met through the 2015 film The Day He Arrives, continued their relationship afterward, and although legally director Hong remains married, they have been living as a common-law couple, and their actions continued to be a topic of public interest.
After these recent developments were reported, director Hong Sang-soo's official activity was revealed about ten months later. Actress Song Sun-mi posted photos from the Berlin International Film Festival on her social media on the 23rd, releasing images that included director Hong. In the photos, director Hong drew attention with short white hair, wearing a black coat and smiling brightly. Although he appeared noticeably older, he showed a relaxed expression at the festival, indicating he continues to work on films.
Director Hong's 34th feature film, "The Day She Returns," was invited to the panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival and was shown as a world premiere. The film depicts the process of an actress who had stopped acting after marriage and divorce returning through an independent film, and stars Song Sun-mi, Jo Yoon-hee, Ha Sung-guk, and Shin Seok-ho. Notably, it drew attention when it was revealed that Kim Min-hee participated as the production manager, signaling continued collaboration between the two.
Above all, although director Hong has reduced official activities in Korea, he continues to present his work steadily at overseas film festivals, maintaining his presence. Kim Min-hee is also continuing to accompany him by participating more in production than acting.
Online reactions included "his film work continues steadily" and "regardless of private life controversies, his films keep coming," while mixed views still coexist. Recently, however, with images of him holding a child and his white hair being reported at the same time, there were responses noting a sense of time passing for director Hong as he became a "late-in-life father."
Meanwhile, The Day She Returns is scheduled to be released domestically in the first half of the year.
[Photo] SNS, OSEN DB
[OSEN]