'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982' set to hit theater

From left, director Kim Do-young, actress Jung Yu-mi and actor Gong Yoo pose for a photo during a showcase for the film "Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982" held at Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Monday. The film is based on the best-selling feminist novel of the same title. Yonhap

By Lee Gyu-lee

In 2016, the feminist novel “Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” written by Cho Nam-ju took Korea by storm and became a best-seller with sales of over a million copies.

This rare success came against a feminist movement backdrop.

“Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” zooms in on an ordinary married woman, on a career break because she quit her job after having a child, who slowly loses her identity from being someone's wife, a daughter-in-law and a mother. Though many public figures showed support and applauded the book, including BTS's RM, it also had critics who claimed the book was biased as it highlighted a one-sided feministic perspective.

The story, with such split reviews, is set to land on the silver screen with actress Jung Yu-mi playing Kim Ji-young, and actor Gong Yoo playing her husband Dae-hyun.

“The story was something that was worth telling, and something that should be told,” said director Kim Do-young at a showcase for the film at the Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Monday.

When the news of the film's production broke, some people were quick to criticize the film even before it began shooting ― leaving insulting comments on Jung's social media.

The two lead actors shared how they felt about the controversy.

”I felt more anticipation about making the film well and sharing the story with people, which I believe is our job. So those (controversies) were not really my main concerns,” Jung said. She added that she didn't feel much pressure in playing the lead figure Kim Ji-young.

Gong also noted that “there's always going to be differences in perspectives.”

“It didn't really get in the way of deciding on the role I felt drawn to in the story that I wanted to tell,” he said. “I put my whole heart into playing the character.”

The story of Kim is based on relatable episodes that most working married women could connect to, including the director herself. Director Kim, who is also an actress, said she related to the story as a woman living in Korea, striving to continue her career while raising two daughters.

“As the book brings up a lot of issues about society, I had to deliberate and felt pressured in trying to deliver those values from the book, but cinematizing them at the same time,” she said, as she talked about the pressure of making the film as her directorial debut.

Jung shared that her character reminded her of working mothers around her, as she's not married nor has a child.

“I thought of those people, who I knew about but looked the other way on by making excuses.” She added that she felt guilty and responsible when taking the role. “I can't fully understand what it's like, but I wanted to try expressing that side of the story.”

Jung wasn't the only one who thought of close loved ones when considering taking a role in the film.

Gong revealed that he burst into tears after reading the script, as it reminded him of his mother. “It's not usual that I get so steeped in the character and cry, just by reading the script,” he said.

The film is the third Jung and Gong have worked together on since “Silenced” (2011) and “Train to Busan” (2016). The chemistry from their personal friendship helped them in playing the married couple, the director said.

“They felt more like siblings than a couple on the set. But it actually worked better since sometimes when people get married, they become more like companions in life, like siblings,” Kim added.

The exact date of the film's premiere has not yet been set, but it is set to be released later this month.