[25th BIFF] 'Minari' The Life of Immigrant Families Between Korea and the US, Steven Yeun X Jung Isaac's Sincerity

Photo by Sundance Film Festival

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "I wanted to tell our real story, not the story of Koreans as seen by Americans."

On the afternoon of the 23rd, the online press conference for the 25th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Gala Presentation 'Minari' was held. Director Lee Isaac Chung and actor Steven Yeun participated online, while Youn Yuh-jung and Han Ye-ri attended in person.

Regarding the autobiographical title 'Minari,' director Lee Isaac Chung said, "From the very beginning, I thought it had to be Minari, and I believed that the way Minari grows in the film plays a significant role."

Director Lee Isaac Chung said, "When our family immigrated, my grandmother brought Minari seeds and planted them. It was planted and nurtured just for us. Ironically, among the things we planted and grew, Minari was the one that grew best and kept growing."

He continued, "I think it embodies my grandmother's love. Minari itself tells the story of the film and expresses emotions and sentiments. I thought it was well integrated into the film story that can be shown through everyday stories."

Steven Yeun looked back on filming 'Minari' as a magical experience. He said, "It was a magical moment where we shared a special experience together." He added, "I learned a lot as an actor while making the film. I realized that we are connected and cannot do without each other."

He also said, "As a Korean-American, even if there are language or physical gaps, I focused on healing that hopes for understanding and communication between generations."

Steven Yeun explained, "What I felt after immigrating from Korea to the U.S. was that I didn't belong anywhere. It felt like being caught between spaces. Because of that, the family bond became much stronger. That story is reflected in the film."

On this day, Han Ye-ri said she felt "very burdened" when 'Minari' was mentioned as her first Hollywood project. She laughed, saying, "I was very surprised and embarrassed when I heard the reports about my Hollywood debut on set."

Youn Yuh-jung then said, "I haven't even been near Hollywood," making everyone laugh. She added, "The budget wasn't large, so the director, Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, and I all worked incredibly hard. We stayed in one dormitory and lived like a real family. We truly became a family while filming together."

Regarding foreign media mentioning 'Minari' as an Academy Award contender, Youn Yuh-jung said, "It has become quite awkward," adding, "We don't even know if it will be nominated or not, but some people already say 'congratulations.' It's just someone's prediction, so it's burdensome."

'Minari' won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Director Lee Isaac Chung said, "It was amazing. Seeing 'Parasite' receive great love from American audiences made me realize that local audiences are embracing Korean films. I expect that not only films but also other content like dramas will follow suit."

Steven Yeun, who also participated in production, said, "The image of Koreans seen by Americans is very different from how we see Koreans. To tell our true story and convey the Korean story we know, I felt that we needed to control every aspect of production ourselves, so I got involved," conveying a special meaning.

'Minari' is a film depicting the life of a Korean family who chose to immigrate to America in search of hope. It won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, and Youn Yuh-jung. It was directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who made his debut with 'Munyurangabo' (2007), which was featured in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.

Meanwhile, the 25th Busan International Film Festival opened on the 21st and will be held for ten days until the 30th at the Busan Cinema Center.