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| ▲ This still photo of film "Because I Hate Korea," directed by Jang Kun-jae and starring Go Ah-sung, is provided by DStation on Aug. 23, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Yonhap) -- The upcoming film "Because I Hate Korea," directed by Jang Kun-jae and set to be released on the 28th, tells the story of a young office worker, Gye Na (played by Go Ah-sung). She leaves Korea for New Zealand in search of a new life, worn out by the pressures of living in Korea.
The film resonates with anyone who has ever considered escaping the difficulties of Korean society to start afresh abroad.
"I saw this as an opportunity to express the exhaustion that comes with years of work in an office environment, and I really wanted to take on the role," said Go Ah-sung (32) during an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the 22nd, reflecting on her casting as Gye Na.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Jang Kang-myung. Go Ah-sung was so eager to understand the character that she immediately read the original novel as soon as she heard about the project, even before receiving the script. "What I liked about Gye Na was that she wasn’t just a simple victim or a purely kind and altruistic protagonist. She has a strong sense of pride, which sometimes leads to her downfall. I wanted to capture those aspects in the film," she explained.
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| ▲ This still photo of film "Because I Hate Korea," directed by Jang Kun-jae and starring Go Ah-sung, is provided by DStation on Aug. 23, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Because I Hate Korea does not follow a linear narrative; instead, it alternates between Gye Na's life in Korea and her new life in New Zealand. In the film, Korea is depicted as cold and wintry, while New Zealand is portrayed in the warmth of summer. Go Ah-sung noted, "I tried to clearly contrast Gye Na’s constrained life in Korea with her more liberated self in New Zealand."
The film does not offer a clear answer as to whether leaving Korea is the right choice, but it encourages viewers to reflect on how they want to live their own lives.
Gye Na's struggles in a Korean workplace are reminiscent of Ja-young, the character Go Ah-sung portrayed in the 2020 film Samjin Company English Class. However, while Ja-young chose to stay and fight against workplace injustice, Gye Na decides to leave her job—and even her home country. "Looking back, I realize that I’ve been drawn to projects with strong social messages or significant themes. I seem to be attracted to characters with strong willpower, like Gye Na or Ja-young."
Because I Hate Korea premiered as the opening film at the 28th Busan International Film Festival last year. Go Ah-sung eagerly read every audience review as she awaited the film's release. One review stood out to her: "I trust any movie Go Ah-sung is in—not necessarily because I like her, but because she has an uncanny ability to pick films that match my taste." Laughing, she added, "I felt a bit of pressure not to disappoint that person."
Debuting as a child actress at the age of 12 in 2004, Go Ah-sung has now been in the industry for 20 years. Her first film was Bong Joon-ho's The Host (2006). Having grown up in the public eye, she feels a deep connection with her audience. "So many people have watched me since I was young, which gives me a sense of security. That’s why I don’t want to let them down," she said.
Reflecting on her evolving priorities, Go Ah-sung shared, "I used to be interested in many things—fashion, sharing my thoughts—but now I think it's better to focus on my career as an actress and prioritize my work." Currently, she is busy filming the romance Pavane with director Lee Jong-pil, for which she gained 10 kg. Despite feeling less confident about her appearance, she remains committed to promoting Because I Hate Korea.
Go Ah-sung hopes that Because I Hate Korea will resonate with many viewers and offer them some comfort.
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