Actor Park So-dam, who went through a difficult time battling thyroid cancer, expressed gratitude to Lee Jung-eun.
On the morning of the 27th at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance in Seoul, a production briefing for the film "Gyeongju Trip" was held. Attending were lead actors Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyojin, Park So-dam, Lee Yeon, and director Kim Mi-jo.
"Gyeongju Trip" (written and directed by Kim Mi-jo, provided by Lotte Entertainment·Michigan Venture Capital Co., Ltd., distributed by Lotte Entertainment, produced by Studio Hi-FiVe, co-produced by Euphoria ENT) depicts a family revenge drama of four mothers and daughters who, for the youngest daughter Gyeongju who did not return from a school trip, embark on a "killer" journey after eight years of waiting. It is director Kim Mi-jo's first commercial film, who was recognized for solid directing with her debut "Seagull" at prominent domestic and international film festivals, and it has drawn attention by receiving an invitation to the Hawaii International Film Festival and the audience award at the Florence Korean Film Festival even before its release.
Lee Jung-eun plays Ok-sil, a mother who dreamed only of revenge for eight years after losing her daughter; Kong Hyojin plays the eldest daughter Jang-ju, who cherishes the family dearly; Park So-dam plays Young-ju, the unemployed second daughter who graduated from law school; and Lee Yeon plays Dong-ju, the third daughter and a former wrestling athlete, each delivering passionate performances.
Park So-dam reunited as mother and daughter with Lee Jung-eun for the first time in eight years since Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite," which was released in 2019, drawing attention.
Park So-dam said, "When I think about the scene I filmed with my sister in 'Parasite,' the line 'move over, please' comes to mind. She glares at her sister, utters a line, and drives her away. While filming that, my sister and I really connected. After I got sick and was recovering, I received a lot of help from my sister. She really cared for me like a mother," adding, "Honestly, I found it hard to tell my family or my mother 100% about how sick I was because I was worried they would be concerned. But Lee Jung-eun unni showed her worries and talked about everything. She even came to my house in the middle of the night to listen to me," she said.
She continued, "This time, meeting as mother and daughter was wonderful in itself. In the film, Young-ju has the most conflicts with her mother. I think the ability to have those conflicts comes from great love. She is a senior I am always very grateful to. I feel I must do well for the rest of my life," showing special affection.
Earlier, Park So-dam was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma during a routine health check in 2021 and underwent surgery. She then took about a year off from activities and returned in 2023 with the film "Phantom." She has since recovered her health and is actively pursuing acting.
Park So-dam confessed, "Before shooting 'Gyeongju Trip,' at several production presentations I said, 'I'm healthy, I'm fine,' but looking back now, I wasn't quite fine then. Before 'Gyeongju Trip,' I poured all my energy into fully recovering, and when I met these people, I really absorbed everything well. It was the first time I was so happy that I wished the shoot wouldn't end."
She also said, "Normally when filming ends, I don't feel much sadness. I think, 'I'll see it when promoting it, and the film remains forever.' But with 'Gyeongju Trip,' I was so sad to part from the family. I felt these people had become deeply involved with me," adding, "I want to return the good energy I received as soon as possible. I'm really looking forward to promotional activities. Usually I might lose sleep from worry, but I never wake up early from excitement. I woke up early today; it was 4 a.m. I was that excited," she smiled.
Meanwhile, "Gyeongju Trip" opens on Aug. 26.
[Photo] Min Kyung-hoon reporter
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