"The Journey to Gyeongju" director Kim Mi-jo expressed gratitude to Byun Yo-Han, who delivered a powerful presence despite his cameo.
On the morning of the 19th, an interview with "The Journey to Gyeongju" director Kim Mi-jo was held at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
"The Journey to Gyeongju" (writer-director Kim Mi-jo, presented by Lotte Entertainment·Michigan Venture Capital Co., distribution Lotte Entertainment, production Studio High Five, co-production Euphoria ENT) depicts a family revenge drama in which four mothers and daughters set out on a 'killer' trip after eight years of waiting for their youngest daughter Gyeongju, who did not return from a school trip.
In particular, this is director Kim Mi-jo's first commercial film after gaining solid recognition for her directing with her debut "Seagull" at major domestic and international film festivals, and it has received much attention by being invited to the Hawaii International Film Festival and winning the audience award at the Florence Korean Film Festival even before its release. It breaks away from clichéd genre films, blending a blood-soaked family revenge story with weary pathos and black comedy. It is currently ranked No. 1 in advance ticket reservations for Korean films ahead of its release, raising expectations.
Kim Mi-jo said the production company representative and actor Byun Yo-Han met as producer and actor when making 'Will you be there?' and have maintained a good relationship since then, adding that she kept wondering who should play the killer Baek Sang-hyun, and that it was decided to cast senior actor Byun Yo-Han and she did not know he would appear with no fee.
She continued, saying the senior told her at their meeting, 'I was looking forward to this film and wanted to help.' She noted there was a relationship with the production company representative, but that he also said he liked the screenplay she wrote. She laughed and said he wanted to help bring a work like this to the world, and because the production budget was not large, he seemed eager to contribute even a little, expressing her gratitude.
The film is being released amid Hollywood blockbusters such as "The Odyssey 2026" and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," but Kim Mi-jo showed modesty, saying, 'We are embarrassed to call ourselves competitors,' and 'We are not even David and Goliath.' She added that she cannot control audience numbers and can only devote herself to making the work sincerely. Being chosen is not her domain. She said she was pleased to be called a competitor to "The Odyssey 2026," and smiled, saying she had already gone to the theater to see "The Odyssey 2026" and really liked it.
Kim Mi-jo said she does feel box office pressure but set three goals while making the film: that the staff and actors would not be ashamed of the film; second, to surpass the break-even point; and third, that this work would become the driving force and foundation for her next project. She added she wants to achieve all three goals.
Meanwhile, "The Journey to Gyeongju" opens on the 26th.
[Photo] Provided by Lotte Entertainment
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