First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
The atmosphere at the 'First Ride' press conference was one of the most cheerful among events attended in the past year. The camaraderie among the actors, who are of similar ages, was palpable, even moving actress Han Sun-hwa to tears of gratitude.
On the morning of the 25th, the press conference for the movie 'First Ride' was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Nam Dae-jung, along with actors Kang Ha-neul, Kim Young-kwang, Kang Young-seok, and Han Sun-hwa, were present. Cha Eun-woo, currently serving in the military, was unable to attend.
'First Ride' is a comedy film about a group of lifelong friends embarking on their first overseas trip. The cast includes Kang Ha-neul as Tae-jung, the determined one; Kim Young-kwang as Do-jin, the cheerful one; Cha Eun-woo as Yeon-min, the handsome one; Kang Young-seok as Geum-bok, the sleepy one; and Han Sun-hwa as Ok-shim, the lovable one.
First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
Kang Ha-neul expressed his delight at reuniting with Director Nam after two years since their last project, '30 Days'. He said, "I loved '30 Days', and meeting the director again in such a short time was even better. We know each other's styles, so there was no need for lengthy discussions. It was much more comfortable and fun." He added, "The director has become more confident and relaxed after the success of '30 Days'."
Director Nam praised Kang Ha-neul, saying, "Kang Ha-neul is the actor who can best express my writing and direction. His sense exceeded my expectations once again. I can't imagine this film without him." He expressed gratitude for Kang Ha-neul's willingness to join the project.
First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
The cast showed strong confidence in their chemistry and the film's potential success. Han Sun-hwa, in particular, raised expectations by saying, "I read the script three times in one sitting. I usually can't read a script three times, but it was that entertaining."
She continued, "Before 'Drinking Solo' opened, I saw a shooting star twice, and it was a hit. In mid-August, I saw a shooting star again while at a beer pub with friends in Samgakji. I believe this film will do well."
First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
Kim Young-kwang spoke about the chemistry with his co-stars, saying, "Including Eun-woo and the director, our chemistry was great. Everyone was so receptive, and our interactions flowed smoothly. Although I was the oldest on set, everyone did so well on their own. It felt like we were old friends from the start." He added, "The director was very accommodating, allowing us to explore our ideas, which made filming enjoyable."
First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
Kang Ha-neul praised Han Sun-hwa's dedication, saying, "She prepared so thoroughly that her script was worn out. She said she received a lot of help from me, but her hard work was beneficial for the film. After finishing the shoot in Thailand, she returned to Korea for a drama shoot and left us all gifts. I don't usually keep in touch much, but I poured out my thoughts in a long message, thanking her for her preparation."
First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
Han Sun-hwa shared, "At the airport heading to Seoul, I texted the guys to thank them. We grew close in a short time. Ha-neul was our leader, and I relied on him a lot for acting. His message made me think, 'I should keep this in my heart and work hard on my next project.'" She was moved to tears.
Kang Young-seok, who appears bald in the film, said, "I've never seen myself bald, so I asked my mom how it looked, and she said it was fine." Director Nam revealed a casting anecdote, saying, "During auditions, I asked the assistant director to check if the actor's head shape was bumpy, pointy, or flat."
First Ride: A Heartwarming Reunion of Stars at the Press Conference
Cha Eun-woo returns to the screen in his first comedy film. Director Nam said, "Cha Eun-woo is diligently fulfilling his military duties. As you'll see in the film, his character wouldn't make sense without him."
He added, "If Cha Eun-woo hadn't chosen this project, we might have changed the character or waited until his discharge. Fortunately, his desire to do comedy with peers matched perfectly, and I'm grateful for that. It's a blessing from our ancestors."
'First Ride' is set to release on the 29th of next month.
