In the game of hwatu, the big light card is often seen as useless, yet it can sometimes turn the tide or lead to a dramatic victory. The family noir film 'Big Light,' directed by Lee Ji-won and featuring stars Ryu Seung-ryong, Ha Ji-won, and Kim Si-ah, aims to achieve a similar dramatic success in the competitive September box office.
On the afternoon of August 24, a press screening and conference for 'Big Light' took place at the Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, attended by director Lee Ji-won and the cast members Ryu Seung-ryong, Ha Ji-won, and Kim Si-ah.
The film follows the story of a top star couple, Jung-gu (played by Ryu Seung-ryong) and Nam-mi (played by Ha Ji-won), whose lives are turned upside down by the sudden appearance of Jung-gu's daughter, Dong-joo (played by Kim Si-ah). As they become embroiled in shocking events, they must uncover the truth to save her. This is the latest work from director Lee Ji-won, known for 'Miss Baek.'
Lee Ji-won expressed her desire to create a family film, saying, "I always wanted to make a family movie. During holidays, I would watch my family play hwatu, and they would dislike the big light card. As I grew up, I understood the meaning of the big light card, and I thought it would be fitting to use that title for a family story."
She described the genre as 'family noir,' explaining, "In Korean cinema, family-themed stories are often seen as human dramas. However, I believe the actions taken by these characters to save their family go through a noir-like process. It may seem like an unusual family, but even when facing tough situations and divorce, they still support each other. I think showing the emotions we want to feel in this era is the greatest virtue of art and my duty as a director."
In the film, Ha Ji-won plays Nam-mi, a former top star who has fallen to the status of a struggling entertainer. She noted that her character's life as an actress closely mirrors her own, allowing her to immerse herself in the role. "Since Nam-mi is also living the life of an actress, I felt I needed to fully embody her to deliver the lines and expressions authentically. Immersing myself in Nam-mi made me reflect on my own time as an actress," she said. "As I was busy, I neglected my family, and stepping off the stage to view myself from a broader perspective felt like a rollercoaster of emotions."
Ha Ji-won also shared her challenges with portraying a character with a rough personality and using profanity. "Nam-mi is quite different from my usual self; she speaks harshly and uses foul language. To portray that side, I trained with the director," she explained. "I don't have many people around me who curse, so it felt unfamiliar. During script readings, I asked the director to perform Nam-mi's lines in his version. I practiced cursing alone on the terrace while listening to the director's recordings, worried my mom might be shocked." The director added, "When she asked for a score, I gave her about 20 points. After not cursing for a long time, it was hard for her to get it right, so we even had to modify some lines in post-production."
Ryu Seung-ryong, who plays Jung-gu, a father willing to go to any lengths to protect his daughter after hitting rock bottom, shared his experience of portraying a heartfelt father-daughter relationship with Kim Si-ah, who plays Dong-joo. "The paternal love is depicted without the process of pregnancy and raising a child. It's rough and lacking, but I tried to show sincere acting," he said. "I focused on ensuring that even when actions or events are not visible, the emotional connection is felt."
Kim Si-ah, who has worked with director Lee Ji-won before in 'Miss Baek,' expressed her excitement about reuniting for 'Big Light.' "I was thrilled and excited to get another opportunity after 'Miss Baek,' but I also felt a lot of pressure to show an even better performance than before. Since my character doesn't have a lot of lines, I wanted each word to convey strong emotions," she added.
Ryu Seung-ryong concluded, "Just as the Odyssey is a journey home, 'Big Light' is also a journey back home, reflecting on what is precious in life. It’s a dense, classic film that allows viewers to contemplate various aspects of life, including family. I believe a brand will emerge with director Lee Ji-won."
Ha Ji-won described the film as a warm story that evokes thoughts about oneself and family, while Kim Si-ah noted, "After watching the film, my first thought was that I wanted to contact my parents. It evokes such warm feelings."
'Big Light' is set to be released in theaters on September 2.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.