On the morning of the 8th, a press conference for 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' (directed by David Frankel) was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul. The event was attended by the film's stars, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.
The sequel, coming 20 years after the original, follows the legendary fashion magazine Runway's editor-in-chief Miranda (Meryl Streep), Andy (Anne Hathaway) who returns as a planning editor, and Emily (Emily Blunt), now an executive at a luxury brand, as they navigate a drastically changed media landscape to reclaim their dominance in the fashion world.
Meryl Streep, greeting with a "Hello," shared her excitement about visiting Korea for the first time. She said, "I've traveled the world but only passed by Korea, so I'm thrilled to be here now. The hotel I'm staying at is wonderful; the bed is so comfortable I couldn't wake up." She added, "I'm even more excited and thrilled to bring a project I love and am proud of. Thank you for the warm welcome."
Streep also noted, "The first film was released 20 years ago, before smartphones existed. Now, everyone uses smartphones, which have changed everything. The fashion industry has also faced changes and significant financial challenges due to smartphones."
Anne Hathaway, visiting Korea for the first time in eight years since attending a brand event in 2018, expressed her regret at not being able to stay longer. She said, "I have so much I want to do. Visiting the Starfield Library is on my bucket list, but time is short. I'll try to experience as much as I can in the remaining time."
It took 20 years for the sequel to come to fruition. Hathaway commented, "The impact of digital innovation on us is immense. Both the journalism Andy is part of and the fashion industry Miranda is in have been greatly affected." She continued, "The Andy I play has changed a lot over 20 years. In the first film, Andy was 22, a fresh college graduate with many ideas but little experience. Now, she has her own perspective and has grown as a potential partner to Miranda."
Despite the long gap, the chemistry between the two stars remains strong. Streep praised Hathaway, saying, "Anne's essence hasn't changed in 20 years. She's always a fresh and sincere actor who gives her all in every moment. She does exactly what I hope for in a co-star."
Hathaway reciprocated, "Meryl is an actor who listens to others even while acting." She added, "Even after 20 years, that aspect remains the same. I learned a lot from Meryl's deep performance in the first film, and in the sequel, I was constantly in awe of her acting."
The film also delivers a profound message to modern women. Hathaway stated, "I hope everyone enjoys economic freedom. Andy has become an adult who handles all her bills. It's great to have good people around, but she's strong enough to be okay on her own." She added, "I didn't think of myself as a role model while acting, but I wanted to show the power of kindness through Andy. I hope the audience sees her as someone who can be warm to everyone while doing her job perfectly."
Streep emphasized, "It's rare in the film industry to see a woman over 70 play such a powerful boss. Women over 50 tend to disappear from the cultural scene, so it's an immense honor to represent such a commanding presence like Miranda once again."
'The Devil Wears Prada 2' will premiere worldwide in Korea on the 29th.
Ryu Yeji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr