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| ▲ This photo, provided by KIDARI Studio, shows the two lead actors of 'Puppy.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by KIDARI Studio, shows the two lead actors and director of 'Puppy' at the press conference. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean actor Yoo Yeon-seok, who starred in the upcoming film “My Puppy,” introduced the film as “a film that makes you smile and warm your heart when you watch it” during the press conference held at Megabox Seongsu in Seoul on Tuesday.
“My Puppy,” which will premiere on Mar. 1, will depict the story of Min-soo – played by Yoo Yeon-seok – who leaves in search for a new family for his dog Rooney, who was a family to him. His cousin Jin-guk – played by Cha Tae-hyun – shares his journey.
Director Kim Joo-hwan said that he produced the film while thinking of his two dogs who passed away. “I spent very busy days while shooting the previous film, and as I was having my dinner one day, something did not feel right. I immediately called my mother and asked if the two puppies that I had raised for more than 10 years were doing well. She told me that both of them recently died but she could not tell me the news as I was so busy and having such a hard time.”
Director Kim added, “Since we are a family, we are supposed to be around each other’s deathbed no matter what. But I could not, and I felt so sorry for them. So I wanted to tell people about them, and I wanted every puppy in the world to be happier.”
He who comically portrayed the friendship between the two police college students in his previous work “Midnight Runners,” released in 2017, captured the bromance of the two relatives in this film.
Director Kim said, “‘My Puppy’ tells a journey of two relatives who learn the true meaning of a family and how precious the family is,” adding, “If ‘Midnight Runners’ were a film with more comical elements, ‘My Puppy’ focuses heavily on the friendship of relatives.”
The dog, Rooney, who is one of the leading actors of this film, also made a surprise appearance at the press conference; the Director and the actors shared an episode while filming with the dog.
Looking back, Director Kim said, “The dog was out of control, so I just left it alone. I filmed as if I was shooting a documentary for National Geographic.”
Yoo Yeon-seok also added with a smile, “Rooney was an unexpectedly reliable friend. I think he was the one who actually helped me.”
“Rooney was already a trained dog; however, it is not education that gives us the feeling as if we are shooting with a dog that we spent our life with. Before shooting, I often visited the training center and played with Rooney to build a bond,” the Actor said. “Rooney then naturally showed some emotions during the shot. Rooney helped me to act.”
Cha Tae-hyun, another lead in this upcoming film, said, “I sweated profusely as we shot in the summer; however, whenever the dogs were tired, I let them in right away and have them take a rest.”
The two South Korean veteran actors reunited more than a decade after the last work they worked on together, the drama series “General Hospital 2” (2008).
Actor Yoo named his colleague Cha as the main reason for choosing this film. “I made many good memories while shooting ‘General Hospital 2.’ So, I was really glad to be working on this film with Actor Cha Tae-hyun after a logn time. I think the chemistry naturally came to us.”
“My Puppy,” which began filming in June 2020, is finally hitting the big screens after two years due to the pandemic.
“I personally think having this film premiered is miraculous,” Actor Cha said. “I cannot predict the results, but I am sure that ‘My Puppy’ will be a relaxing film that is also fun to watch.”
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)
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