[31st BIFF] "After the 6th audition"... Kim Hye-ja's mind was changed by 'Still Shining' (Comprehensive)

'Today's Korean Cinema - Panorama' Section Official InvitationOutdoor stage greeting to be held today (8th)... Opening on the 21stActress Kim Hye-ja attends the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Still Shining' held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th, and is giving a greeting. /Busan=Park Heon-woo Reporter[THE FACT|Busan=Park Ji-yoon Reporter] Actress Kim Hye-ja not only returns to the screen after a long time but also graced the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) with her presence. Now, she touches the hearts of the audience with 'Still Shining,' which has changed her mind about wanting to take a break from her activities.An outdoor stage greeting for the film 'Still Shining' (Director Song Il-gon), which was officially invited to the 'Today's Korean Cinema - Panorama' section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, was held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center on the afternoon of the 8th. Director Song Il-gon, along with actors Kim Hye-ja, Park Seo-kyung, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young, attended the event and had various conversations with the audience.'Still Shining' is the latest work by director Song Il-gon, who gained global attention by winning the Grand Prix for Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival for his short film 'Picnic' and the Young Critics Award at the Venice International Film Festival for his feature debut 'Flower Island.'Director Song described 'Still Shining' as "a film about longing and memory." He added, "It captures how much one person can miss another through the eyes of Kim Hye-ja, how they endure this time, and how they try not to forget those memories filled with love."Director Song Il-gon, who had previously written and directed films himself, is now bringing a rough script in the form of a reading play to the screen. He explained his directorial approach, saying, "The play's script was so upright, beautiful, and moving. I started with the desire for this to be made into a film so that many audience members could empathize with that upright heart."The film 'Still Shining,' featuring director Song Il-gon and actors Park Seo-kyung, Kim Hye-ja, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young (from left), met with audiences at the 31st Busan International Film Festival and will be released nationwide on the 21st. The photo shows them posing at the outdoor stage greeting event for 'Still Shining' held at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 8th. /Busan=Park Heon-woo ReporterAbove all, 'Still Shining' is drawing significant attention as it marks the return to the screen of Kim Hye-ja, who is celebrating her 65th year in acting, after 9 years since 'The Road' (2017). She plays Soon-ok, who cherishes the special friendship with a friend she can never forget, and delivers a passionate performance.Earlier, at the opening ceremony on the 6th, concerns about Kim Hye-ja's health arose as she was seen being assisted by director Song Il-gon and covering her mouth with her hand while coughing multiple times. In response, a film official dismissed the health concerns, stating it was merely a cold. Kim Hye-ja then appeared on stage as scheduled that day, meeting the audience and easing their worries.Kim Hye-ja expressed confidence in the unique charm of 'Still Shining,' saying, "I hesitated a lot because I don't do films often, but I decided to appear. The work is so good. I hope this film touches your hearts."Indeed, director Song Il-gon had a difficult time casting Kim Hye-ja. He had to persuade Kim Hye-ja, who had finished the drama 'More Beautiful Than Heaven' in 2025 and wanted to live like an unnamed flower, blooming in front of her house, to change her mind about taking a break from her activities.Recalling that time, Director Song said, "I visited her home about six times, had meals, and talked with her to convey why she had to do this project. Fortunately, it moved her heart. She said she would appear if the resonance of the work could be conveyed to the audience through her. It was the most difficult but dramatic casting, so I was very grateful, happy, and honored. Being able to capture her close-ups was a wonderful thing."The 31st Busan International Film Festival, attended by director Song Il-gon and actors Kim Hye-ja, Park Seo-kyung, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young (from left), will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. /Busan=Park Heon-woo ReporterIn addition, Park Seo-kyung plays the 17-year-old Soon-ok, Choi Ju-eun plays the 17-year-old Jeong-im, and Moon Sung-hyun plays the young boy Doo-young, who becomes friends with Soon-ok and Jeong-im in their childhood, adding vitality to the film.Park Seo-kyung explained her acting focus, saying, "Our film deals with the story of comfort women, but it's not the main focus. It shows how beautiful the shining girls were. So, I tried to exist in a way that the characters don't live with the burden of history."Choi Ju-eun added, "The director told me that Jeong-im is a country girl, so I shouldn't wear makeup and should get tanned. I felt that the character's heart ached because of that. We talked a lot about how Jeong-im should be portrayed."Moon Sung-hyun, who recently successfully completed the play 'Dead Poets Society,' is now appearing on screen, continuing his busy schedule. He recalled the working process, saying, "Since the setting is Gyeongsang Province, I tried to capture the emotions and dialect of a man from Gyeongsang Province. I also tried to create a reliable atmosphere among the actresses."Lee Se-young plays Soon-ok's granddaughter Jian, adding strength to the film. She described working with Kim Hye-ja as a Christmas gift, saying, "I was a fan of hers and really wanted to appear in a project together and learn a lot. So, when I received the casting offer, I was very grateful to the director. We had fun filming."'Still Shining' will be released in theaters nationwide on the 21st after meeting audiences at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.Finally, Director Song said, "This film had many miraculous moments where things that seemed impossible came true. All the staff worked with tears, and we worked together until the end, so I hope our sincerity reaches you." Choi Ju-eun said, "I was happy while filming this movie. I think the audience can fully feel this emotion." Park Seo-kyung encouraged many to watch, saying, "It's a brilliant work by the 17-year-old girls who were so pure and the incredibly beautiful Kim Hye-ja."The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]