[Sportschosun reporter Jo Ji-young] Writer Choi Seong-jae said, "We completed the film by clashing and working through it with director Frederik Schøller."
A press and distribution screening for the human drama "Hana Korea" was held on the afternoon of the 26th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Kim Min-ha, who plays Hye-seon, a woman in her 20s who left North Korea and overcame many hardships before settling in South Korea; Kim Joo-ryoung, who plays her older sister Sook-hee, whom Hye-seon meets while living at Hanawon; Ahn Seo-hyun, who plays Bomi, a North Korean defector who discovers freedom and small joys in South Korea before anyone else; as well as director Frederik Schøller and screenwriter Sharon Choi.
Choi, who participated in the screenplay, explained, "I joined the project after the basic framework and structure of the story had already been set. I kept thinking about it and tried to find the right direction. When writing the script, I wrote it in both Korean and English, and I found the direction together with the director by clashing and working through it." She added, "In a world full of division, I thought it would be difficult, but through the young woman in 'Hana Korea,' who overcomes hardship, we could draw emotional empathy."
Inspired by a true story based on in-depth interviews with more than 30 North Korean defectors who settled in South Korea, "Hana Korea" follows the journey of a North Korean defector as she tries to move forward despite an unfamiliar life. The film stars Kim Min-ha, Kim Joo-ryoung and Ahn Seo-hyun, and was directed by Danish filmmaker Frederik Schøller. It will be released on July 8.
Jo Ji-young, soulhn1220@sportschosun.com
