[Interview] Joo Jin-woo & Kim Eui-sung "Yoon Seok-yeol is also a Candlelight Citizen, Can You Believe It?"

Movie 'My Candle' Ju Jin-woo & Kim Eui-sung Interview
Behind the 2018 Candlelight Protests
Presidential Candidates Sim Sang-jung, Yoon Seok-youl & Lee Jae-myung Appear
"Citizens Are the Main Characters, Politicians Are Extras"

Photo by Ju Reporter

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "President Sohn Seok-hee called me and asked, 'Was I a cameo?' I told him precisely, 'You were not a cameo but an extra.'

Directors Joo Jin-woo and Kim Eui-sung said in a video interview with Asia Economy on the morning of the 25th, "'My Candlelight' is a film where the citizens holding candles in the square are the main characters. All the politicians appearing are extras."

Documentary film 'My Candlelight,' directed by reporter Joo Jin-woo, who covered Yeouido and Gwanghwamun through investigative journalism, and actor Kim Eui-sung, who does not hesitate to raise his voice to the world, will be released on the 10th of next month.

The film records the untold stories of 16 million candlelight citizens who lit up Gwanghwamun Square in 2016 to fight against corruption and state affairs manipulation. It features appearances by Yoon Seok-youl, the head of the Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil gate investigation team and current People Power Party presidential candidate; Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate; Sohn Seok-hee, JTBC's executive president; writer Yoo Si-min; former Democratic Party leader Chu Mi-ae; and whistleblower Ko Young-tae, recalling those times.

'My Candlelight' opens with an interview with Sohn Seok-hee, who first obtained and reported on Choi Soon-sil's tablet PC. It follows the records in chronological order, reflecting on the citizens holding candles, the media, and the National Assembly.

Regarding 'My Candlelight,' which is released five years after the candlelight rallies, director Joo Jin-woo said, "It is a revolutionary history we must remember, but no one made a film about it, so we did."

About releasing the film one month before the 20th presidential election, director Kim Eui-sung said, "There are many misunderstandings and criticisms, but it is just the fate of the work. We did not intend to time the release."

=The film includes interviews with presidential candidates such as Sim Sang-jung and Yoon Seok-youl. There are various discussions about this.

Kim Eui-sung) At the time of the 2019 interview, I had respect for candidate Yoon Seok-youl and thought it was an honor to interview him. I never expected he would become the opposition party leader. I feel unfair about the misunderstandings and criticisms regarding the release timing. The proportion of candidates Yoon Seok-youl and Lee Jae-myung in the film is negligible. They are extras. The real leads are the citizens holding candles in the square. If you watch the film, I believe the misunderstandings will be easily resolved.

=When will the behind-the-scenes footage of candidate Yoon Seok-youl be released?

Joo Jin-woo) There are opinions curious about the interviews with Yoon, who shows a dramatic twist. I think some parts of the candlelight rallies and evaluations of Park Geun-hye should be historically preserved. Some interviews lasted over two hours, and there is a vast amount of content, so I will consider it further.

=You must have had many concerns while documenting the candlelight rallies. What was the most cautious point during directing, and is there a scene you particularly wanted to include?

Kim Eui-sung) I did not want to fill the film with emotionally stirring images emphasizing the scale or passion of the candlelight rallies. I wanted to calmly show the process and observe how the candlelight in the square and politicians in Yeouido interacted. It could have been more intense, but I maintained a calm and objective perspective.

Joo Jin-woo) I recorded it plainly. I avoided directing that emotionally slanders someone or ignites feelings. Politics and the country cannot resist the power of the candlelight. Ultimately, the most important point is that the people are the owners.

=How did you recruit citizens for the interviews?

Kim Eui-sung) We recruited people with stories among those who came out to the candlelight square through reporter Joo Jin-woo and my SNS (social network service) accounts. We also asked them to send photos and videos taken at the time.

Joo Jin-woo) One citizen sent a story that former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae said, "The candlelight goes out if the wind blows," so they brought an LED candle, which was impressive.

=What thoughts did you have while making the film? The directing process must not have been easy.

Joo Jin-woo) Watching the election of presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, I once doubted the saying "The public is always right." Why did the people make such foolish choices? This is similar not only in Korea but also in the U.S., Latin America, and the Philippines. But watching the candlelight process, I realized the people are great. The protagonists of history are the people.

Kim Eui-sung) If I had known making a film like this was so hard, I might not have made it. (laughs)

Joo Jin-woo) I write articles sharply, but editing the filmed footage was tough.

Photo by Ju Reporter

'My Candlelight' still. Photo by Ju 기자

=If you were to make a film about the 2022 presidential election, what title would you give it?

Kim Eui-sung) The strongest candidate in history and the weakest candidate in history have a close contest. I won't say who the candidates are.

Joo Jin-woo) I'm interested in shamanism, so I want to try "A Story of a Shaman." Well, I have a lot of material from my investigations, so I'm rather worried about what story to tell. Candidate Yoon Seok-youl's life is like a movie. He was also a candlelight citizen at the time. Can you believe it? But I have decided not to direct films anymore... haha.

=Why do you plan not to direct anymore?

Joo Jin-woo) Films seem like painful products completed through the hard work of geniuses. I want to leave this field, but for that, the film must succeed. There are many problematic people, so it's regrettable. Candidate Yoon did not give any interviews while in public office, but he did with us. There are many stories about former Minister Chu Mi-ae, but I might leave them aside.

=Who would you most recommend 'My Candlelight' to?

Joo Jin-woo) I hope Kim Geon-hee (candidate Yoon's wife) watches it. I want her to realize how great the people are after watching the film.

Kim Eui-sung) I hope all presidential candidates watch it.

=Former President Park Geun-hye was specially pardoned at the end of last year. Some audiences might view the story about the candlelight rallies differently now.

Joo Jin-woo) The pardon is evaluated as a betrayal of the candlelight citizens, but it also seems to mean to start reconsidering Park Geun-hye. There was an evaluation that Park Geun-hye's impeachment ended the Park Chung-hee era, but it seems not so. I hope people find answers about the political journey of Park Geun-hye within the candlelight movement.

=Your relationship is interesting. How did you two meet?

Joo Jin-woo) I realized Kim Eui-sung hyung's depth while hosting current affairs programs at MBC. There were tremendous ups and downs until the film was completed and presented. Each time, hyung steadfastly endured, which increased my respect. I like and respect him.

=As an actor, are you concerned about the image you project to the public? Why do you consistently raise your voice on social and political issues?

Kim Eui-sung) It would be a lie to say I am not concerned. Even before becoming a famous actor, I wrote about social and political issues I thought about as if writing a diary alone. As I gradually established myself as an actor, my voice grew louder. I am trying to find a mature way to express my opinions.

=Is there a film that left a strong impression on you?

Joo Jin-woo) I usually don't watch TV, so I watched more than three films a day to study video. Netflix's 'D.P.' was impressive. The message it delivers is weighty. Much more than 100 articles.

=The media environment is rapidly changing. As a reporter, what do you think about the role and function of the media in this era?

Joo Jin-woo) I think the media is falling behind compared to the heightened public awareness. No one reads newspapers anymore. People consume news through online and YouTube, so the role of the media has become very important. How the media conveys events and stories to the world has become crucial. I hope the media repents and reflects to come closer to the people.