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| From left, director Hong Ji-young poses with actors Kim Kang-woo, Lee Yeon-hee, Yoo Yeon-seok, Yeom Hye-ran, Lee Dong-hwi, Choi Soo-young and Yoo Teo after an online press event held for the film "New Year Blues" in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Christmas and New Year's Eve films always bring a special dose of holiday cheer to audiences. This year, movie lovers can ring in the festive season with "New Year Blues" which tells the cutesy tale of four couples.
The upcoming film is a star-studded romantic comedy that revolves around the lives of four couples who break up and fall in love on New Year's Eve.
Helmed by Hong Ji-young, the director behind "Marriage Blue" (2013) and "Will You Be There?" (2016), the film's cast includes Kim Kang-woo, Yoo In-na, Yoo Yeon-seok, Lee Yeon-hee, Lee Dong-hwi, Chen Du Ling, Yeom Hye-ran, Choi Soo-young of Girls' Generation and Yoo Teo.
"If 'Marriage Blue' was about romantic relationships, 'New Year Blues' is about untangling notable characteristics of the backstories of different protagonists. Each character has their own regrets and resolutions on New Year's Eve," director Hong said during an online press event for the film, Tuesday.
Kim plays Ji-ho, a police officer who offers personal protection to Hyo-young (Yoo In-na), who files for divorce from her husband.
On working with director Hong for the second time, Kim said, "I decided to join the project without even having to look at the script. There was a feeling of mutual trust between us."
Other couples face their own challenges. Paralympic snowboarder Rae-hwan (Yoo Teo) and gardener Oh-wol (Choi) get into conflict due to misunderstandings.
Yoo shared three main reasons for joining the project. "Working with director Hong, starring alongside my partner Soo-young and shooting in a snow field were the reasons behind taking the role," he said.
"From Hong's previous films, I could feel the warmth of a family and loved ones. My close friends were excited about me starring opposite Soo-young. And I loved the fact that the story is set in December."
Choi revealed that she was actually a fan of Yoo. "I've seen his previous work. He's quirky, but I found him more attractive after getting to know him personally. I'm glad we were able to star together and become closer through this film," she said.
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| A poster for the film "New Year Blues" / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks |
The two actually dance Argentine tango in the film. "Argentina is famous for tango and wine. There's a scene where Jin-ah, wearing a red dress, dances tango with Jae-heon. We practiced the choreography for a month before leaving for Argentina and learned the moves from local dancers before shooting it," Yoo said.
Meanwhile, Yong-chan (Lee Dong-hwi) has trouble preparing for marriage with his Chinese girlfriend Yao Lin (Chen) due to cultural differences.
Lee said he had to learn Chinese for the role. "I was surprised when I first read the script because most of my lines were written in Chinese. Although we're an international couple, I couldn't feel the difference between nationality because Chen and I had great chemistry on set," he said.
"New Year Blues" will hit local theaters in December.
