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| ▲ South Korean actress Kim Go-eun speaks during a media conference for film "Love in the Big City," directed by Lee Eun-hee, held in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2024. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- Kim Go-eun, who left a strong impression as the shaman Hwa-rim in the blockbuster hit The Drug King, returns as a university student with a candid and lively charm in her upcoming film.
Kim will star as Jae-hee in "Love in the Big City," directed by Lee Eun-hee, which is set to premiere on October 2. She portrays a character who starts living with her friend Heung-soo (played by Noh Sang-hyun).
"Receiving the script and waiting for the production to be confirmed took 2.5 years. The screenplay was so engaging that I was willing to wait. I loved how the story unfolds as described, and its straightforwardness," Kim Go-eun shared during the film's press conference held at MegaBox Seongsu in Seoul on the 2nd.
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| ▲ South Korean actors Noh Sang-hyun (L) and Kim Go-eun pose for photos at the media conference for film "Love in the Big City," directed by Lee Eun-hee, held in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2024. (Yonhap) |
The film depicts the love story between Jae-hee, a free spirit with no sense of inhibition, and Heung-soo, who is adept at hiding his inherent secrets. Kim described Jae-hee as someone who appears carefree and easy with love but is actually a pure-hearted person dreaming of true love. "She hides her pain by putting on a front of freedom. I could relate to all aspects of her character," she explained.
Love in the Big City is based on the short story "Jae-hee" from Park Sang-young’s 2019 collection of the same name. The novel, which received the 39th Shin Dong-yeop Literary Award, was also a finalist for the International Booker Prize.
In the film, Noh Sang-hyun, a model-turned-actor known for his role in Apple TV+ series Pachinko, plays Heung-soo, marking his first collaboration with Kim Go-eun. Kim Go-eun reflected on learning Noh Sang-hyun was cast, saying, "I wondered where they found someone like Heung-soo."
Noh Sang-hyun described his approach to playing Heung-soo, "I tried to understand Heung-soo’s character. While he has a cynical side, he is also a sensitive and pure person when you look closely."
Director Lee Eun-hee expressed satisfaction with having both Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun on screen, humorously adding that he regretted not writing a script with them from start to finish.
Lee noted, "I wanted to portray Jae-hee's story through my own perspective. The film is about Jae-hee, who does her best in the present, and Heung-soo, who dreams of the future, meeting at twenty, sharing a friendship deeper than love, and experiencing the trials and errors of growing up."
The chemistry between the actors was crucial for showing how two people with differing genders, personalities, and values become 'soulmates.' Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun grew closer during 'club pre-research' sessions for scenes frequently set in clubs.
Noh Sang-hyun, a year older than Kim Go-eun, admitted he was initially awkward due to his shy nature but became very close with her over time. Kim described Noh Sang-hyun as having a playful smile and a knack for mischief when they became friends, highlighting their dynamic chemistry.
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