Poongsan
Encyclopedia
Poongsan is a 2011 South Korean film starring Yoon Kye-sang
and Kim Gyu-ri.
Part love story, part postwar tragedy, with a dose of comedy thrown in, the low-budget film Poongsan depicts the sad reality of the division between the two Koreas.
One day he is commissioned by South Korean government agents with the task of smuggling in In-ok, the beautiful lover of a high-ranking North Korean defector, into the South. Yet things take an unexpected turn when the deliveryman falls for the young woman, but their romance is put in jeopardy by the obstacles they encounter.
, and directed by his protege Juhn Jai-hong, the 200 million-won ($185,580) film was shot over 25 takes in just 30 days, while the entire cast and crew took part in the project with no guarantee. "I wanted to show that it is possible to make a film with passion rather than money," Juhn told reporters at a press preview.
Kim handed Juhn the story idea for Poongsan in fall 2010, saying he wanted a young director to bring a fresh perspective to inter-Korean issues. Juhn, known as an "artsy" filmmaker (his directorial debut Beautiful
premiered at Berlin
), wanted to make a fun, edgy film that was first and foremost popcorn entertainment. Juhn had to fight to cast Yoon in the lead role, having been impressed by his piercing gaze in The Moonlight of Seoul. Juhn said, "Yoon is only two years younger than I am and we were both trying to challenge stereotypes. Kim Gyu-ri is also our age and it was amazing collaborating with such talented actors."
Juhn, a former opera singer, featured his own voice for Schumann
's Die Lotosblume
, and Tim Starnes, whose credits include The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and the second and third of the Lord of the Rings
franchise, edited the soundtrack
.
Yoon Kye-sang
Yoon Kye-sang is a South Korean actor and former singer in boyband g.o.d..-Beginnings:Yoon began his rise to fame as a member of South Korean pop music group g.o.d. which enjoyed huge popularity for over half a decade. However, he turned to acting in 2004, making his film debut in Flying Boys,...
and Kim Gyu-ri.
Part love story, part postwar tragedy, with a dose of comedy thrown in, the low-budget film Poongsan depicts the sad reality of the division between the two Koreas.
Plot
Poongsan, whose real name is never revealed, is a mysterious messenger who crosses the demarcation line between the two Koreas, delivering letters and cherished heirlooms between separated families in Seoul and Pyongyang.One day he is commissioned by South Korean government agents with the task of smuggling in In-ok, the beautiful lover of a high-ranking North Korean defector, into the South. Yet things take an unexpected turn when the deliveryman falls for the young woman, but their romance is put in jeopardy by the obstacles they encounter.
Production
Written and co-produced by Kim Ki-dukKim Ki-duk
Kim Ki-duk is a South Korean filmmaker noted for his idiosyncratic "art-house" cinematic works. His films have received many distinctions in the festival circuit. He is not related to the Kim Ki-duk who directed Yonggary in the 1960s...
, and directed by his protege Juhn Jai-hong, the 200 million-won ($185,580) film was shot over 25 takes in just 30 days, while the entire cast and crew took part in the project with no guarantee. "I wanted to show that it is possible to make a film with passion rather than money," Juhn told reporters at a press preview.
Kim handed Juhn the story idea for Poongsan in fall 2010, saying he wanted a young director to bring a fresh perspective to inter-Korean issues. Juhn, known as an "artsy" filmmaker (his directorial debut Beautiful
Beautiful (2008 film)
Beautiful is a 2008 South Korean film, and the debut feature of director Juhn Jai-hong. The film is based on an original story by Kim Ki-duk.- Plot :...
premiered at Berlin
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
), wanted to make a fun, edgy film that was first and foremost popcorn entertainment. Juhn had to fight to cast Yoon in the lead role, having been impressed by his piercing gaze in The Moonlight of Seoul. Juhn said, "Yoon is only two years younger than I am and we were both trying to challenge stereotypes. Kim Gyu-ri is also our age and it was amazing collaborating with such talented actors."
Juhn, a former opera singer, featured his own voice for Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
's Die Lotosblume
Die Lotosblume
"Die Lotosblume", or "The Lotos-Flower", is a poem written by Heinrich Heine which was put to music by Robert Schumann in 1840. This Lied is part of Schumann's Myrthen collection ) and Six Song for Männerchor . The piece speaks of the blooming of the Lotosflower and how it is at night that it...
, and Tim Starnes, whose credits include The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and the second and third of the Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
The Lord of the Rings is an epic film trilogy consisting of three fantasy adventure films based on the three-volume book of the same name by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. The films are The Fellowship of the Ring , The Two Towers and The Return of the King .The films were directed by Peter...
franchise, edited the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
.
Cast
- Yoon Kye-sangYoon Kye-sangYoon Kye-sang is a South Korean actor and former singer in boyband g.o.d..-Beginnings:Yoon began his rise to fame as a member of South Korean pop music group g.o.d. which enjoyed huge popularity for over half a decade. However, he turned to acting in 2004, making his film debut in Flying Boys,...
... Poongsan - Kim Gyu-ri ... In-ok
- Kim Jong-soo ... North Korean defector
- Han Ki-jong ... section chief
- Choi Moo-sung ... team leader
- Yoo Ha-bok ... North Korean public officer
- Kim Yun-tae ... chief bodyguard
- Joe OdagiriJoe Odagiri, born is a Japanese actor.-Career:Commonly known just as Odajō, and also known for his unusual hairstyle and eclectic style of dressing, he is the epitome of Cool Japan...
... North Korean border guard 1 (cameo)