Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Balladeer, trot singer make inroads into cinema
Singers KCM, left, and Song Ga-in right / Courtesy of Image9comms, PocketDol Studio
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Balladeer KCM, whose full name is Kang Chang-mo, and trot singer Song Ga-in are expanding their areas of expertise into cinema.
Kang, who has been enjoying his second heyday as a member of the MSG Wannabe project group formed on MBC's variety show “Hangout with You,” made his debut as actor in the music-themed film “Refresh.”
Directed by Kim Gil-young, it tells the story of “K,” a washed-up singer who makes his living performing for patients suffering from depression, ADHD and alcoholism. The film, which opened in theaters on Wednesday, is a semi-autobiographical work that is based on Kang's own life story.
“Although the film has been adapted to some extent, it incorporates many life experiences that I've been through. The scene where K sings in a nightclub is inspired by my real-life story. Filming that scene brought back memories of me performing in small clubs and bars,” Kang said during a press conference for the film.
The singer-turned-actor shared that he feels awkward seeing his face appear so big on the silver screen, but wants to appear in another movie if possible. “Music helped me through some tough times. As long as I could relate to the story, or the character or the story is linked to my own experience, I would love to continue acting,” he said.
Although it's only a bit part, Song will be appearing in “Cicada,” a film that revolves around a master of the traditional funeral ceremony called “Jindo Dasiraegi.” One day, his daughter returns home years after she left, saddled with debt. Their relationship remains uneasy as she is still in agony over the death of her mother and the continuing disregard of her father, as his heart and soul are dedicated to performing “Dasiraegi.”
The Jindo native said she was happy to shoot her debut feature film in her hometown, and as a cultural ambassador of Jindo she felt obliged to make a special appearance in the film.
“There had been multiple requests to make documentaries on me, but I never imagined appearing in a feature film. Since I enjoyed watching director Lee Chung-ryoul's moving documentary 'Old Partner,' there was no reason to say no,” she said during a recent press conference for the film.
“Because I've never done acting in my life, it was very awkward. I couldn't memorize the lines even though there were only a few. I came to respect actors. I don't think I can pursue acting. I'll just concentrate on my singing career,” she added. “Cicada” will hit local theaters on Feb. 24.