Im Sang-soo's 'Into the Realm of Happiness' Invited to London Korean Film Festival

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] The overseas film festivals' love calls for the movie Happy Land are heating up.

On the 21st, Lotte Entertainment announced that Happy Land (directed by Im Sang-soo) has been invited to the 16th London Korean Film Festival and the 18th Hong Kong-Asia Film Festival. The film depicts the story of 203 (Choi Min-sik), a prisoner with no time left, and Nam-sik (Park Hae-il), a patient with no money, who accidentally come into possession of a large sum of money and embark on a special journey dreaming of a glamorous ending to their lives.

Happy Land was officially selected for the 73rd Cannes International Film Festival last year and was also chosen as the opening film of the 26th Busan International Film Festival held earlier this month.

The film has also been selected as the closing film of the 16th London Korean Film Festival, which will be held from the 4th to the 19th of next month. The festival is held at the British Korean Cultural Center and introduces about 60 films annually. A representative said, “We are very pleased to present Happy Land, the next work of director Im Sang-soo, who has gained international acclaim as an official selection at the Cannes International Film Festival and the opening film of this year’s Busan International Film Festival, to London audiences first. Happy Land draws attention as it features the two lead actors Choi Min-sik and Park Hae-il, as well as Youn Yuh-jung, who was selected as a ‘Notable Actor’ at this festival.”

The Hong Kong-Asia Film Festival showcases talented directors from various Asian countries and their inventive films to Hong Kong audiences. Happy Land was invited to the largest section, ‘Now.’ A representative said, “This is a charming yet bittersweet buddy comedy by the long-awaited master director Im Sang-soo. The film evokes the golden age of Hong Kong cinema.”