"You must not forget"...Kim Hye-ja's meaningful choice, 'Still Brilliant' (Comprehensive)

The 31st Busan International Film Festival invited film... to be released on the 21st.A press preview and press conference for "Still Shining," starring actress Kim Hye-ja, was held on the 15th at Megabox COEX. The photo shows her walking the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the "31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)" held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of October 6. /Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] Actress Kim Hye-ja is returning to the big screen after 9 years. She has finished preparing to touch the hearts of audiences with "Still Shining," a film that captures the beautiful friendship between two girls and our history that must not be forgotten.A press preview and press conference for "Still Shining" (Director Song Il-gon) was held on the afternoon of the 15th at Megabox COEX. On this day, director Song Il-gon, along with actors Park Seo-kyung, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, Cha Mi-kyung, and Jo Sung-ha, answered reporters' questions and shared various stories related to the film.The film tells the story of Soon-ok (played by Kim Hye-ja), who reunites after 60 years with her best friend with whom she shared the most brilliant moment of her life. Director Song Il-gon, who received the Grand Prix for the Short Film Competition at the Cannes Film Festival for "Picnic" and the Young Critics Award at the Venice International Film Festival for "Flower Island," directed the film.Director Song first introduced "Still Shining" as "a story about longing and memory," adding, "I wanted to tell a story that allows people to think about how much one person can miss someone."Director Song Il-gon unfolds a rough script in the form of a dramatic reading, depicting our painful history that is heartbreaking but must not be forgotten, on the screen. He said, "I really wanted this work to be made because it was so upright and resonant. I thought we had to remember the painful history of the past in some way now. I started it because it's a story that needs to be remembered from various perspectives."Actress Kim Hye-ja leads the film, playing Soon-ok, who remembers the special friendship with a friend she can never forget. /Page One Film"Still Shining" is attracting much attention as it is Kim Hye-ja's comeback to the big screen after 9 years since "The Road" (2017), marking her 65th year in acting. She plays Soon-ok, who remembers the special friendship with a friend she can never forget, and delivers a passionate performance.Earlier, director Song revealed that he made great efforts to persuade Kim Hye-ja, who had decided to take a break from her career after the drama "More Beautiful Than Heaven," which aired in 2025, and wanted to live like an unnamed flower, like a wildflower blooming in front of her house.In this regard, director Song said, "The past that Soon-ok remembers and tries not to forget intersects. As the film unfolds from Soon-ok's perspective, which looks at people with a warm gaze, Ms. Kim Hye-ja was the first choice for casting." He added, "She places great importance on the reason for doing a project. It took a long time to create that reason. I thought it was meaningful for this work to be released to the world through her."Cha Mi-kyung adds depth to the film by playing Jung-im, Soon-ok's best friend. She said, "She is like a watercolor painting where paint spreads beautifully on a white canvas." She added, "I also had a beautiful experience of naturally blending into the situation and spreading." She shared her feelings about acting with Kim Hye-ja.Director Song Il-gon and actors Park Seo-kyung, Kim Hye-ja, Choi Ju-eun, Moon Sung-hyun, and Lee Se-young (from left) collaborated on "Still Shining," which will be released on the 21st. The photo shows them posing at an outdoor stage greeting event for "Still Shining" held at the Busan Cinema Center's Roof Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of October 8. /Reporter Park Heon-wooPark Seo-kyung plays the 17-year-old Soon-ok, Choi Ju-eun plays the 17-year-old Jung-im, and Moon Sung-hyun plays the young boy Du-young, whose connection with Soon-ok and Jung-im began in their childhood, bringing vitality to the film.Park Seo-kyung focused on Soon-ok's bright innocence. He recalled, "I studied and tried hard to show the happy moments of the girls as they are. I practiced a lot with my older brothers and sisters and became close, so we were able to prepare by having many conversations like real friends."Choi Ju-eun showcases an irreplaceable presence with her stable acting and excellent singing skills. She said, "Jung-im is a character who is honest, radiant, passionate, and lovely. I recalled what I was like at 17 and applied it to the script while preparing." She added, "I've been singing consistently, but this time I tried to capture a lot of the character's innocence."She also recalled precious moments acting with Kim Hye-ja. Choi Ju-eun said, "It was an honor and a grateful time just to be in the same frame with her. I was really nervous, but she gave me great courage by saying, 'I hope you do everything you want to do.' I am so grateful that she respected and cared for her juniors."Moon Sung-hyun emphasized, "I focused on conveying emotion in the lines. I tried to express the warmth within the blunt way of speaking and acting of a man from Gyeongsang Province at that time."Finally, director Song said, "I will convey Ms. Kim Hye-ja's words that she hopes people will leave with warm hearts. I hope many people will watch it." Choi Ju-eun said, "I hope you gain comfort and courage through the dreams, love, and friendship of Soon-ok and Jung-im." Jo Sung-ha encouraged many to watch, saying, "It's a must-see movie to hold the hand of someone you love.""Still Shining," officially invited to the 'Korean Cinema Today - Panorama' section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, will be released on the 21st.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr