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| ▲ Actor Kim Yoon-seok speaks during a press conference for his upcoming film "About Family," held in Seoul on Nov. 12, 2024. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- Actor Kim Yoon-seok expressed confidence in his upcoming film "About Family," calling it "a heartwarming movie as comforting as dumpling soup, perfect for a family outing at the theater this winter."
Kim made the remarks at a press conference for the film, held in Seoul on Tuesday at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University.
About Family is a comedy centered around a dumpling restaurant owner whose family line seemingly ends when his son becomes a monk—until his grandchildren suddenly arrive, igniting a new chapter.
In the film, Kim Yoon-seok plays Moo-ok, a North Korean defector who has run the beloved dumpling shop Pyeongmanok in the heart of Seoul’s Jongno district for over 30 years.
Reflecting on the script, Kim said, "At the time, I was reading a lot of stories that were action-driven or incident-packed, but About Family felt refreshingly unique. It was like reading a novel cover-to-cover for the first time in a long while."
He added that while the film's Korean title "Daegajok" implies a “big family," the English title, "About Family," hints at broader themes. He said, "Though it’s packed with comedy, it holds a deeper message about individuals and their communities."
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| ▲ The lead cast for film "About Family" pose for photos at the movie's press conference held in Seoul on Nov. 12, 2024. (Yonhap) |
To bring authenticity to his role as a dumpling chef, Kim underwent rigorous hands-on training. “The hardest part was coordinating both hands simultaneously,” he said, adding, “I came to see chefs as true artists and masters of their craft.”
The film was written and directed by Yang Woo-suk, known for heavy-hitting films like "The Attorney" and "Steel Rain."
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| ▲ Filmmaker-screenwriter Yang Woo-suk, known for heavy-hitting films like "The Attorney" and "Steel Rain." speaks during a press conference for his upcoming film "About Family," held in Seoul on Nov. 12, 2024. (Yonhap) |
Yang shared his inspiration for the film, saying, "I wanted to create a light-hearted, warm story, and I feel like I finally got my wish. Family is a central theme in today’s society, and that inspired me to write this piece." He assured audiences that they can expect "more depth, humor, and layers than what is shown in the trailer."
Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi plays Moo-ok’s son, Ham Moon-seok, who defies his father’s expectations by becoming a monk. For the role, Lee took the dramatic step of shaving his head, a scene featured in the film. "Shaving my head wasn’t a big deal—I was more driven by the chance to act alongside Yang Woo-suk and Kim Yoon-seok," Lee shared.
Other notable cast members include Kim Sung-ryung, Kang Han-na, and Park Soo-young, who contribute to the film's warm-hearted and humorous storyline.
About Family is set to premiere on December 11.
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| ▲ The lead cast for film "About Family" pose for photos at the movie's press conference held in Seoul on Nov. 12, 2024. (Yonhap) |
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