The much-anticipated 'Urban Fairy Tale' by director Shin Woo-seok, featuring stars like Byeon Woo-seok, Jang Won-young, and Karina, is making waves. Shin Woo-seok, who directed and produced the content through his studio Dolphiners Films, shared behind-the-scenes stories of the project.
The first project, 'The Christmas Song,' created in collaboration with Google Gemini, has garnered significant attention since Part 1 was released on the 15th. The teaser and main episodes have collectively reached 10 million views across official channels, online communities, and social media. As the final Part 3 is set to release today (24th), Shin Woo-seok has shared insights into the original content's creation process and the reasons behind the star-studded cast.
Shin Woo-seok, known for directing NewJeans' music videos 'ETA' and 'Ditto,' explained the concept of 'Urban Fairy Tale' as a necessary escape for modern people. He expressed his hope that the project would provide a breathing space for viewers. Reflecting on his music video experiences, he realized the significant role they play in completing the music's impression and emotion. This led him to direct and produce not only music videos but also the entire creative process, starting with a music video and soundtrack release.
A music enthusiast himself, Shin shared that 'The Christmas Song' is a carol he personally enjoys, even describing the project as his 'hobby' in the official music release notes.
Originally planned as a two-part series, 'The Christmas Song' expanded into a trilogy, offering a richer narrative. The story follows a child abandoned by parents who grows into a priest, learning reconciliation and forgiveness. Each episode from Part 1 to 3 is told from the perspectives of Sister Rafaela (played by Karina), Sister Gabriela (played by Jang Won-young), and Father Vincenzo (played by Byeon Woo-seok). Shin Woo-seok explained, "I wanted to sequentially unfold the story of Sister Rafaela, who cared for young Vincenzo, Sister Gabriela, who stays by his side, and Father Vincenzo, who heals and grows. The first two parts focus on 'love,' while the final part centers on 'forgiveness.'"
The casting process and on-set stories of the actors, who generated buzz even before the content's release, were also shared. Shin Woo-seok mentioned, "I've always wanted to work with Byeon Woo-seok on something great," and expressed gratitude for showcasing a different side of him through this project.
Regarding Jang Won-young and Karina, who delivered remarkable performances as Gabriela and Rafaela, Shin said, "I thought it would be interesting to bring them together after recent collaborations." He praised Jang Won-young for her dedication to the script and Karina for her improved emotional acting, calling her a promising actress.
Shin also thanked veteran actors Park Hee-soon, who played Father Choi Yohan, and Moon So-ri, who portrayed Vincenzo's mother, for their crucial roles. He expressed gratitude for their participation and hoped for continued collaboration.
The project utilized AI technology, including 'Nano Banana Pro' for image generation and 'Veo 3.1' for video creation, based on Google Gemini 3. Shin Woo-seok was impressed by the quality and speed, noting its potential for creators. AI was used in scenes like Rafaela's angelic wings reflecting in a window and elaborate stained glass decorations, enhancing the visual storytelling.
'The Christmas Song' Part 3 will be released today (24th) on Dolphiners Films's official YouTube channel. The previous parts, which depicted Sister Rafaela's departure from Vincenzo and Sister Gabriela's steadfast support after Father Choi Yohan's passing, have already captivated audiences. Part 3 is expected to showcase Father Vincenzo's journey to understanding true love and forgiveness, heightening anticipation.
Lee So-jung, TENASIA Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr