'Gyeongju Journey' Wins Audience Award at 24th Florence Korean Film Festival

The film 'Gyeongju Journey', starring Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon, directed by Kim Mi-jo, has won the Audience Award at the 24th Florence Korean Film Festival.

'Gyeongju Journey' is a family revenge drama about four sisters embarking on a 'deadly' journey after an 8-year wait for their youngest sister, Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip. The film's recognition at the 24th Florence Korean Film Festival marks a significant achievement.

The 24th Florence Korean Film Festival, which opened on March 19 and closed on March 28, is one of the largest Korean film festivals in Europe. Held in Florence, Italy, a central European city, the festival has been a platform for cultural exchange between Korea and Italy for over 20 years, promoting Korean culture in Europe. 'Gyeongju Journey', which had already attracted attention from international film festivals before its release, has now captured the hearts of general audiences, in addition to critical acclaim.

In Florence, 'Gyeongju Journey' received rave reviews. Film critic Caterina Liverani described it as "a work where comedic yet surreal situations intertwine with personal pain." Jang Eun-young, Vice Chairman of the Florence Korean Film Festival, praised the film, stating, "Audiences highly appreciated the family-centered narrative, and the ensemble cast's performances were deeply moving." She also noted that "the depiction of a lesser-known city in Korea was particularly appealing to Italian audiences," reflecting the local response.

Set against the backdrop of Gyeongju, rich in Korean sentiment, the film combines powerful performances with director Kim Mi-jo's solid yet delicate direction, leaving a lasting impression. Having been recognized for both its artistic and commercial appeal overseas, 'Gyeongju Journey' is preparing for its domestic release later this year.

Reporter: Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia bella@tenasia.co.kr