It has been seven years since singer and actress Sulli, born Choi Jin-ri, passed away. Her time, which stopped at 25, was revisited through her last interview, released four years later. This record captures the thoughts and struggles of the person behind the glamorous stage persona.
Sulli was found dead at her home in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on October 14, 2019, at the age of 25. She debuted in 2005 with the SBS drama 'The Ballad of Seo-dong' and entered the music industry as a member of the girl group f(x) in 2009. Despite her success as both a singer and actress, she faced intense scrutiny and malicious comments regarding her thoughts and personal life.
In October 2023, a documentary titled 'To Jin-ri,' featuring her last interview filmed during her lifetime, premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival. It was later made available to a wider audience on Netflix on November 13 of the same year.
Directed by Jeong Yoon-seok, 'To Jin-ri' focuses on the interview filmed in 2019, shedding light on Sulli's life and inner thoughts. In the documentary, she shares her experiences and struggles under her real name, Choi Jin-ri, rather than her stage name.
In the interview, Sulli discussed the pressures she faced entering the entertainment industry at a young age. She felt compelled to conform to the public's expectations, often leading to self-blame and self-doubt.
She also raised questions about the structural issues surrounding the celebrity profession, reflecting on her experiences of feeling unable to express her opinions freely and her life of conforming to others' expectations. Sulli shared her thoughts on the societal standards applied to women's clothing and behavior.
This narrative contrasts with her public persona, where she often expressed her opinions openly. She also discussed her journey of understanding her likes and dislikes and the discomfort she felt in certain situations, as well as the significance of her time with fellow f(x) members and the void left by their absence.
The film incorporates not only the interview but also excerpts from her diary, social media posts, and animations. Director Jeong revealed that he obtained the cooperation of her family to film her belongings and her home.
Notably, the film captures moments when Sulli pauses to reflect rather than immediately responding to questions. It does not rush through these moments. Jeong recalled that the Choi Jin-ri he remembers differs from the public image of Sulli.
During a Q&A session at the Busan International Film Festival on October 7, 2023, Jeong reflected on Sulli as someone who listened to others rather than forcefully asserting her opinions. He noted that she demonstrated a willingness to understand others' perspectives when explaining his directorial approach.
Jeong explained that this aspect of her character stands in stark contrast to the public image of Sulli as a free-spirited and outspoken individual, revealing that she was someone who genuinely tried to understand others' thoughts.
'To Jin-ri' was released alongside a short film titled '4: Clean Island,' in which Sulli starred. Initially, multiple directors were set to create individual projects featuring Sulli as the protagonist, but production was halted due to her sudden passing.
Co-directed by Hwang Soo-ah and Kim Ji-hye, '4: Clean Island' tells the story of a character dreaming of a new life who undergoes a bizarre immigration process. While 'To Jin-ri' captures Choi Jin-ri's true voice, '4: Clean Island' showcases her final performance as an actress.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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