Girl group Blackpink member Jenny, f(x) member Jeong Soo-jeong (Krystal), and singer Bibi (Kim Hyung-seo) will walk on the red carpet at the Cannes International Film Festival for the first time. The three are taking a step forward as actors rather than idols or singers.
The 76th Cannes International Film Festival will be held in Cannes, southern France, from the 16th to the 27th. The Cannes International Film Festival is considered one of the world's three major film festivals, along with the Berlin International Film Festival and the Venice International Film Festival. In particular, last year, director Park Chan-wook won the Best Director Award at the Cannes International Film Festival for his film 'Decision to Break Up', and actor Song Kang-ho won the Best Actor Award for his film 'Broker' (directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda).
Until now, Korean films have been invited to the Cannes International Film Festival in competition, non-competition, and Un Certain Regard sections, but this year, not a single film was invited to the competition section.
What stands out the most at this year's Cannes Film Festival are three people: Jenny, Jeong Su-jeong, and Bibi. The three former idols and singers walked the Cannes red carpet as actors. In the case of Jenny and Vivi, it was their first acting challenge, and Jeong Su-jeong's filmography includes 'Abby Gyu-hwan' and 'Sweet and Sour'. The three are scheduled to fly to Cannes and attend events such as the official screening and red carpet. Of course, Soo-jeong Jeong and Bibi are heading to Cannes for the movies 'Cobweb' and 'Hwaran' respectively, but Jenny was invited to the HBO original drama 'The Idol'.
'The Idol', in which Jenny appeared, is set in the music industry of Los Angeles, USA and tells the world of the music industry and the love story of a popular female pop singer. The Weeknd produced and starred in it. In addition to Jenny, Lily-Rose Depp and others appear. The character played by Jenny in the play is not specifically known, raising even more curiosity.
'The Spider's Nest', in which Jeong Soo-jeong appeared, was set in the 1970s. Director Kim (played by Song Kang-ho), who believes that if only the ending of the movie 'The Spider's Nest' was filmed again, would become a masterpiece, it was censored and the actors and producers who did not understand the changes were on the verge of going crazy. It depicts what happens while filming under adverse conditions.
Jeong Soo-jeong plays the role of Han Yu-rim, a new actor whose popularity is rapidly rising and the lead actor of the movie 'Cobweb'. Jeong Soo-jeong said, “I am very happy and honored to be invited to the Cannes Film Festival, which I had vaguely dreamed of since I started acting.”
'Hwaran', starring Bibi, is a noir drama depicting the story of a boy Yeon-gyu (played by Hong Sa-bin) who wants to escape from the hellish reality, meets the middle boss of an organization, Chi-geon (played by Song Joong-ki), and ends up in a dangerous world together.
Vivi plays the role of Hayan, Yeon-gyu's younger brother, who tries not to be shaken by the miserable reality. Bibi expressed her thoughts, "It's amazing. I feel like I'm just passing on what the director, Song Joong-ki, and Hong Sa-bin have done well, but I'm so, so thankful and I'll do my best."
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr