[TF Interview] How Director Kim Jong-kwan Respects Taste

Interview regarding the release of 'Between the Seasons'"It's important to find audiences I can connect with and reach my core."Director Kim Jong-kwan held an interview regarding the release of the film 'Between the Seasons'. / K-Movie Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] We live in an era where everything changes rapidly and people chase stronger stimuli. Tastes are sharply divided, and preferences are clearly defined. Amidst this, Director Kim Jong-kwan doesn't get swept away by the trends of the world but rather delves deeply into what he likes and expresses it in his own unique language. The belief he has maintained is both his conviction as a creator and his faith in the audience waiting for his world.Returning with the film 'Between the Seasons,' Director Kim Jong-kwan conducted an interview with at a location in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the day of the film's release. Having shared a meaningful time with some audiences as the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, he answered the reporter's questions and shared various stories related to the work.'Between the Seasons,' which was released in theaters on the 4th, unfolds four stories: the chance encounter between Yu-jin (played by Kim Min-ha) and Hyeon-o (played by Ju Jong-hyuk), who stay in the same cafe at different times; the quirky and sudden reunion of middle school friends Sang-mi (played by Han Sun-hwa) and Yeong-min (played by Jang Ryul); the laughter-filled, fiery first meeting between web novel writer Hye-jin (played by Shim Eun-kyung) and film director Dong-nam (played by Lee Hee-joon); and the poignant moment between aspiring idol Na-kyung (played by Jeon So-young) and her boyfriend Jong-su (played by Kim Dong-hwi).Director Kim Jong-kwan was immediately recognized as a talented newcomer when he received the Special Jury Prize at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival for his debut short film 'How to Operate a Polaroid Camera.' He went on to present 'Paradise,' 'Ghost Archive,' 'A Little Closer,' 'Worst Woman,' 'The Table,' 'Josée,' and 'Where Nobody Can Go,' and expanded his unique cinematic world by participating in omnibus projects collaborating with various directors, such as 'The Night of the Moon,' 'The Killers,' and Netflix's 'Persona.''Between the Seasons' was selected as the opening film for the 31st Busan International Film Festival and unfolds conversations among various characters in a limited space, a cafe. / K-Movie EntertainmentAmong these, his new film 'Between the Seasons' shares a common thread with 'The Table' in that it unfolds conversations among various characters within the limited space of a cafe. However, unlike his previous work, which focused on a single day's events at one table to align the film's overall tone, this time he captured the seasons from summer to winter and naturally infused his own colors into stories with more diverse hues."I like films of this format. When I read novels I like, they describe a single moment or a fleeting instant, but ultimately they metaphorize various aspects of life. I made 'The Table' with the thought that even a single moment in life can be very precious and meaningful. It's been 10 years since I made the film and 9 years since its release, but there are still people who like it. It's a good memory for me, but it's interesting that it has become a memory for the audience of that time, intertwined with their past. So, I wanted to make a film that could become someone's memory 10 years from now.""This project came from 'The Table,' but I wanted to work more flexibly and enjoyably. I wanted it to be like a collection of short stories written by a single author. There are various stories, but the appeal is that what a single creator wants to depict is within their world, and you can feel it. While I used to align the film with a single tone, this time I tried to show new things. If it's a collection of stories by one creator, my style will be present even if the genres are different. Even if the films seem similar, creators try to do new things within them."There is an object that appears in both 'The Table' and 'Between the Seasons,' which seem similar yet different. It is a clock. Regarding this, the director explained, "From Hyeon-o's (Ju Jong-hyuk) perspective, who is repairing a clock, the clock is microscopic, but if you look closely inside, there is a universe. I thought our film also looks closely at a small, trivial world, but at a cross-section of life. I included it because of that connection."Director Kim Jong-kwan (center) explained that 'Between the Seasons' is "like a collection of short stories written by a single author." The photo shows actors Jang Ryul, Han Sun-hwa, Director Kim Jong-kwan, Shim Eun-kyung, and Kim Min-ha (from left) posing at the press screening and conference for the film 'Between the Seasons' held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on November 2nd. /LEE SAEROM ReporterThus, Director Kim presents 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' starting with Hyeon-o, who dreams of being a clockmaker and passes through the same cafe at different times, and Yu-jin (Kim Min-ha), who talks about a strange dream she had the night before and goes for a night walk. He then presents 'Still Nine,' where middle school friends Sang-mi (Han Sun-hwa) and Yeong-min (Jang Ryul) suddenly reunite and engage in quirky and unexpected conversations.He also shows 'Lee-soon-bul,' featuring web novel writer Hye-jin (Shim Eun-kyung), who is reluctant to have her work adapted into a drama, and film director Dong-nam (Lee Hee-joon), who skillfully leads the conversation to persuade her. And 'Autumn Story,' which captures the poignant moment when aspiring idol Na-kyung (Jeon So-young) and her boyfriend Jong-su (Kim Dong-hwi) discuss their future and end their relationship.Through the brief conversations of the men and women who passed through the same cafe, the audience naturally imagines the story after the movie ends, thinking about where they came from and where they are going.Among them, the reporter was strongly impressed by 'Still Nine.' Sang-mi suddenly enters the cafe and only tells Yeong-min, who barely remembers her, incomprehensible things as if they were secrets of the world. At first, Yeong-min is flustered, but gradually he begins to think that the world Sang-mi talks about might exist somewhere."It was the most difficult episode. A conversation requires an exchange of words, but this is no different from Sang-mi's long monologue. One person only acts, and the other only reacts, so it's difficult for both. Sang-mi's monologue consists of fierce, fast-paced lines, and her emotions fluctuate greatly, so it had to be meticulously crafted. And through Yeong-min, who only listens, the audience had to feel immediate fun and curiosity. For this, we did a lot of rehearsals. The actors were very passionate."Director Kim emphasized, "Creators must become their own brand." / K-Movie EntertainmentThe Director Kim I met today resembled 'Between the Seasons.' Of course, this might be natural since it's a work born from his fingertips, but I felt it was the result of his steadfastness, which looks closely at a moment rather than chasing dopamine and following the rapid flow of the times, being embedded throughout the work."Perhaps in such an era, there are people who need this film. We captured a fleeting moment, but it took 4-5 years from planning to production. If it were small and trivial to me, I wouldn't have invested such a long time. It was a task that required great courage. The strength of the people I worked with was also significant. There were countless failures in the filmmaking process, and there are difficulties in reaching the audience, but meeting people who connect with me and support my films is a fleeting dopamine for me."Of course, when a work meticulously crafted over a long period receives mixed reviews shortly after its release, it's true that there are times when one's own values are shaken. Nevertheless, believing that there are audiences somewhere who share his taste, he continues to walk steadfastly at a consistent pace and in a consistent manner, without losing his unique color, just as he has always done."Creators must become their own brand. It could be a delicious neighborhood bakery, or it could be Sungsimdang. Each must cultivate their own themes, perspectives, and stubbornness. Of course, there must be people who appreciate it until the end. I have to strive to ensure that the audience who seeks my films doesn't disappear. While objectifying a creator's value is important, I believe it's more important to find audiences I can connect with and reach my core, rather than worrying about whether people like or dislike it."jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]