Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee, their own ‘affair’ for 8 years

《Kang Min-kyung's Insert》
Like an insert scene that magnifies important points in a movie, TenAsia reporter Kang Min-kyung focuses on issues in the film industry. Let's take a closer look at the front and back of the hot topic from a three-dimensional perspective.

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They think of it as 'love', but except for two people, they call it 'affair'. Director Hong Sang-soo and actress Kim Min-hee, who have been having an affair for 8 years, are passé in Korea and confident overseas.

On the 13th (local time), the 'Hong Sang-soo Retrospective' opened at the Cinematheque Française in Paris, France. As the opening film, 'The Novelist's Film' was also screened. This retrospective exhibition will be held until March 5, and the opening works include 'Women are the future of men', 'Theatre Exhibition', 'The Day the Pig Fell into the Well', 'On the Beach Alone at Night', ' The Woman Who Ran', You can see 27 movies, including 'Novelist's Movie'.

Director Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee appeared at the opening ceremony of the retrospective. The two people went on stage side by side wearing black coats. Before the film was screened, director Hong Sang-soo began by saying in English, “When I made the film, I tried to react to and capture the things that were given to me at that moment.” He added, "I've made many movies, but I don't want to look back on what kind of movies I've made. My wish is to continue making movies in the future."

Kim Min-hee, with a simple face and no makeup, also stood in front of the microphone. Director Hong Sang-soo stood to the right of Kim Min-hee and looked at her with his hands in his coat. Minhee Kim introduced herself in Korean. He continued, "I just arrived (in Paris). I'm a little tired because of the jet lag. Still, it's nice to meet you all, and I'm grateful. I hope it becomes a movie that will be remembered in your heart for a very long time."

Cinematheque Française presented directors Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee with gold honorary plaques with their names engraved on them. They also dedicated a seat with the two people's names on it. After completing their stage greetings, directors Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee left the scene. Kim Min-hee walked leisurely down the street, holding onto Director Hong Sang-soo's waist and supporting him.

Director Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee attended the retrospective together. The two will also attend the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival starting on the 16th. This is because 'Inside the Water', director Hong Sang-soo's 29th feature film and in which his muse Kim Min-hee participated as the production manager, was invited to the Encounters category.

Director Hong Sang-soo has a deep connection with the Berlin International Film Festival. 'The Woman Who Ran', 'Introduction', 'The Novelist's Film', and 'In the Water' were invited to the Berlin International Film Festival for four consecutive years. In addition, she received the Silver Bear Award for Best Actress for 'On the Beach at Night', the Silver Bear Award for Director for 'The Woman Who Ran', the Silver Bear Award for Best Screenplay for 'Introduction', and the Silver Bear Award for Jury Award for 'A Novelist's Film'. The two were always together at the scene of Kim Min-hee's Best Actress award and director Hong Sang-soo's three awards.

Director Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee became lovers through the movie 'Right Now, Wrong Then', which was released in 2015. Then, in 2017, they officially announced that they were in a relationship at the press screening of 'On the Beach at Night Alone', saying, "We are in love." Since then, the two have been making official appearances only overseas, not in Korea.

The two pass up Korea and only walk proudly holding hands overseas. Director Hong Sang-soo's wish to continue making movies may mean living in the 'affair' movie he and his 'muse' Kim Min-hee made together. Attention is focused on the confident steps of the two who will also be together at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.

Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr