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| ▲ Tang Wei is seen in this still cut from "Wonderland" provided by Acemaker Movieworks on June 3, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- "I have great respect for the director on set. Additionally, I’m a professional actor, so 'no problem.'"
These were the words of Chinese actress Tang Wei when asked about working again with her husband, director Kim Tae-yong, during a meeting at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd. Tang Wei stars in Kim's upcoming film "Wonderland," marking their first collaboration in 13 years since "Late Autumn" (2011). The couple met through "Late Autumn" and married in 2014, sharing a daughter.
Tang Wei expressed her admiration for Kim's films, saying, "I love the warmth embedded in his movies. I also appreciate films that provoke deep thought, and 'Wonderland' is such a piece."
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| ▲ Tang Wei is seen in this still cut from "Wonderland" provided by Acemaker Movieworks on June 3, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
"Wonderland" revolves around a video call service that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate deceased loved ones, allowing people to reconnect with them. The film explores how advancements in technology could alter human relationships through various episodes.
Tang Wei highlighted the film's unique approach, stating, "Unlike most AI-themed films that are dark and violent, 'Wonderland' has been praised for its warmth. Its strength lies in its depiction of hope and warmth."
"Authors inevitably draw from their experiences. Therefore, the real-life experiences of a writer and their script are closely connected. Director Kim is intensely curious and constantly seeks knowledge. I observed him tirelessly researching and studying while writing 'Wonderland.'"
In the film, Tang Wei plays Bai Li, a woman who, facing death, uses the Wonderland service to create a virtual version of herself for her young daughter. The daughter, working as an archaeologist in a desert, encounters the AI version of her mother, who cannot feel emotions like sadness or guilt.
Tang Wei noted, "I share many similarities with Bai Li, but unlike her, I cry and shout when I'm angry," she said with a laugh. "I strived to become the perfect Bai Li as envisioned by the director. It was incredibly challenging, but also fun to portray such a unique character."
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| ▲ Tang Wei is seen in this still cut from "Wonderland" provided by Acemaker Movieworks on June 3, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Having witnessed the film's development since Kim began writing the script in 2016, Tang Wei readily accepted his offer to star in it. Despite the eight-year journey to the film's release, she remains undecided about using such a service in real life.
"It's akin to taking medicine when you're ill. Once the effects wear off and you have the energy to heal yourself, it could become a form of treatment," she explained.
Tang Wei gained fame through the 2007 film "Lust, Caution" alongside Tony Leung and has since showcased her deepening acting skills in various films and dramas. Her notable performances in Korean films such as "Late Autumn" and Park Chan-wook's "Decision to Leave" (2022) have earned her numerous Best Actress awards at prestigious events like the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
"I believe the most crucial aspect for an actor is their everyday life. Through living, I have become wiser, more tolerant, and able to embrace more, which has allowed me to evolve as an actor," she emphasized.
"It's also vital to have a director who can capture and bring out what’s inside me. Thanks to my life experiences and the director's abilities, I've advanced step by step to where I am now. Recently, I feel I've grown as an actor, and I look forward to seeing how I will evolve next. I will continue to hone myself through life."
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| ▲ Tang Wei is seen in this still cut from "Wonderland" provided by Acemaker Movieworks on June 3, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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