Son Ye-jin, attending the Busan International Film Festival for the premiere of 'Hopeless', revealed her favorite local eatery in Busan.
On October 17, a press conference for the opening film 'Hopeless' was held at the Busan Cinema Center during the 30th Busan International Film Festival. The event was attended by director Park Chan-wook and actors Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, and Yum Hye-ran.
Lee Byung-hun plays Yoo Man-soo, a job seeker who starts a new chapter after being abruptly laid off from a paper company where he dedicated 25 years.
Son Ye-jin portrays Lee Mi-ri, who gives up her hobbies of dance and tennis to support her family after her husband Yoo Man-soo loses his job. She expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s an honor and a joy to have my film as the opening piece at the Busan Film Festival. Watching it with the general audience today is thrilling and something I’ll never forget.” When asked about her thoughts on Busan, she remarked, “Busan feels like a city closely tied to cinema, with the festival at its heart. It’s a beautiful place with many exotic sights.” She added with a smile, “Whenever I come to Busan, I must have tteokbokki from Sang-guk’s place. It’s a city full of delicious spots.”
Discussing her character, Son Ye-jin described Mi-ri as “the most realistic character in the film.” She continued, “I wanted to portray her in a natural, flowing manner, like a mother or wife in everyday life, without exaggeration. I focused on how Mi-ri, with her optimistic nature, would navigate the tragic and dramatic moments in the story.”
This film marks Son Ye-jin’s return to the big screen after seven years. She shared, “I have concerns about how often and how long I can continue working on films as an actress. The current state of the film industry is challenging, which makes this return after seven years significant. The future is crucial.” She added, “Directors like Park Chan-wook need to continue creating works. I will do my best from my position to move forward.”
'Hopeless' is set to officially release on October 24.
The 30th Busan International Film Festival runs from October 17 to 26 at the Busan Cinema Center.