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| From left, actors Kim Da-mi, Jeon So-nee and Byeon Woo-seok pose during a press conference for the film, "Soulmate" in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of NEW |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Actors Kim Da-mi and Jeon So-nee said they became best friends in real life after the duo starred in the coming-of-age film "Soulmate."
Adapted from the Chinese film of the same title, "Soulmate" centers on the lives of two friends. One is Mi-so (Kim), a free-spirited girl who wishes to travel the world after graduating from high school. The other is Ha-eun (Jeon) who is afraid of heights and a meticulous painter.
Despite their differences, the two have been best friends since 1998. Then a handsome boy named Jin-woo (Byeon Woo-seok) turns up and complicates their friendship. The film then takes a unique turn, following not romance but female friendship.
The next decade of Mi-so and Ha-eun's lives is traced. They take different routes after graduating from school. No longer bound together, they begin to miss each other.
The film was mostly shot in Jeju Island, according to director Min Yong-keun. "I think the natural wonders of Jeju resemble youth. I wanted to highlight the beauty that hides in the forests of Jeju," he said during a press conference in Seoul, Friday.
"My main goal in making this film was to showcase the highs and lows of growing up and to remind people of their forgotten soulmates."
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| A poster for the film, "Soulmate" / Courtesy of NEW |
Kim, well known for her performance in "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion" and "Our Beloved Summer," opened up about the moments when she truly felt connected to Jeon.
"There was a tough scene where I felt like I wasn't ready, but I couldn't tell anyone because I didn't want to cause a delay," Kim said. "However, Jeon took notice of my uneasiness and she asked if I needed more time for the scene. It was a very special experience because it felt like we were connected.
"Before shooting, I had no idea I could feel this close to my co-star. Jeon and I became best friends in real life."
Jeon said: "Painting plays an important role in this film, connecting the characters. However, it also acts as a tool that distinguishes Mi-so and Ha-eun. Mi-so enjoys abstract painting while Ha-eun enjoys still-life painting. This shows us a lot about their opposite personalities."
Byeon, who is making his big screen debut with "Soulmate," said he received a lot of help from his co-stars.
"Kim and Jeon helped me beat my nerves by sharing my worries. They gave me a lot of advice while we were shooting together, which was really helpful in crafting my character arc," he said.
"Soulmate" will hit local theaters in March.
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