Kim Hye-ja in 'Still Shining,' a sincere story in a handwritten letter

Handwritten Letter Revealing Sincere Story"I hope you don't forget how beautifully the children wanted to live."Actress Kim Hye-ja (left) said about the movie "Still Shining," "There are things that are truly forgotten if we don't remember them. But I believe that if we don't forget and keep them in our hearts, even a small light from long ago can shine on us again." 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, Page One Film[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] Actress Kim Hye-ja conveyed the sincerity she put into "Still Shining" through a letter.Production company Page One Film released a handwritten letter from actress Kim Hye-ja, who led the movie "Still Shining" (directed by Song Il-gon), on the 16th. She began by saying, "Today, I have a story I really want to tell you, so I prepared this letter," and shared her sincere thoughts.The film is about Sun-ok (played by Kim Hye-ja), who reunites after 60 years with her best friend with whom she shared the most brilliant moments of her life. The film is directed by Song Il-gon, who received the Grand Prix for the Short Film Competition at the Cannes Film Festival for "A Little Prince" and the Young Critics Award at the Venice International Film Festival for "Flower Island."Kim Hye-ja, celebrating her 65th year in acting, plays the role of Sun-ok, who remembers the special friendship with a friend she can never forget. This marks her return to the big screen after 9 years since "The Road" (2017).She recalled, "Last fall, I received a letter from director Song Il-gon, which said, 'Sun-ok does not cry. She is a person who believes until the end that the time she spent with her friend is still shining.'" She added, "That sentence stayed with me for a long time. Because it is a sad history that we know all too well."Kim Hye-ja continued, "We must remember how much those children suffered. But I also hope that you don't forget how beautifully those children wanted to live. That's why I decided to make this movie."She further shared, "At the end of the letter director Song Il-gon sent me, he also wrote, 'What I wish for is not a scene of acting, but a moment when a human's existence remains in time.' I want to convey that feeling to you as well. I hope you don't just see the two girls you will meet shortly as a scene from a painful history."Finally, Kim Hye-ja added, "There are things that are truly forgotten if we don't remember them. But I believe that if we don't forget and keep them in our hearts, even a small light from long ago can shine on us again. I hope that after watching this movie, a small light remains in your hearts. I hope that light comforts your heart, reporter."Earlier, at the 31st Busan International Film Festival on the 6th, Kim Hye-ja was seen being supported by director Song Il-gon and covering her mouth with her hand as she coughed multiple times, leading to concerns about her health.In response, a film official dismissed the health concerns, stating it was just a cold. Afterward, Kim Hye-ja attended the outdoor stage greeting for "Still Shining" as scheduled, easing viewers' worries.However, her health concerns resurfaced when she was unable to attend the stage greeting for "Still Shining" scheduled for the 15th.Regarding this, director Song Il-gon said, "The teacher was unfortunately unable to attend the stage greeting due to a cold. I spoke with her a little while ago, and she expressed her regret and apologies." He added, "She tried to attend even with support, but her condition was not good, so she conveyed her feelings through a handwritten letter."The film "Still Shining," officially invited to the "Korean Cinema Today - Panorama" section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, will be released on the 21st.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]