'And When the Magnolia Blooms' Production Cost 200-300 Million Won
Mrs. Yuk's 50th Death Anniversary Premiere on August 15
Singer Kim Heung-guk attending the press screening of 'And When the Magnolia Blooms' [Photo by Yonhap News]
Singer Kim Heung-guk, known for the hit song "Horangnabi" (1989), established the production company "Heung Pictures" and created the documentary film about former President Park Chung-hee titled "And When the Magnolia Blooms." At a press conference held on the 9th at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Kim Heung-guk said, "Watching 'The Founding War,' I felt, 'Now our conservative side's films are being made,' which gave me great strength."
"The Founding War" is a documentary film highlighting the life of former President Syngman Rhee, released in February and attracting 1.17 million viewers. The highest-grossing documentary about a politician to date is "I Am Roh Moo-hyun" (2017), which drew 1.85 million viewers. Kim Heung-guk said, "There have been quite a few progressive documentary films," adding, "I want to break the record set by the number one film (I Am Roh Moo-hyun)."
"And When the Magnolia Blooms" focuses on the lives of former President Park and his wife, Yuk Young-soo. It covers their story from Park's childhood during the Japanese colonial period to the October 26 Incident in 1979 when Park was assassinated. Mrs. Yuk passed away on August 15, 1974, after being shot by North Korean agent Mun Se-gwang. The film is set to be released on the 15th, marking the 50th anniversary of Mrs. Yuk's death. Kim Heung-guk explained, "The production cost was about 200 to 300 million won." He continued, "We traveled nationwide to film their achievements and footprints," adding, "I hope this film can be watched not only by the elderly but also by the MZ generation with their parents and families."
Actors Ko Doo-shim and Hyun Seok provided narration for the film, and in the reenactment scenes of former President Park's younger days, actor Kim Gung played Park Chung-hee, and Yang Soo-ah portrayed Yuk Young-soo. Kim Heung-guk said, "Ko Doo-shim is not someone involved in politics; she has dedicated 50 years to acting. When people ask if she participated in the narration because of political interest, that's not the case. She took part out of respect for Mrs. Yuk Young-soo."
"And When the Magnolia Blooms" was first screened at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 19th of last month. Kim Heung-guk said, "After the National Assembly screening, we conducted a survey, and many people were disappointed." At that time, there were criticisms that the proportion of dramatized scenes was excessively high, and based on that feedback, the film was re-edited into a new version. The final version is scheduled to be screened in theaters after passing censorship.
Nevertheless, the film received mixed reactions at the press screening. Some still felt that the dramatized scenes were substantial and that the footage of former President Park gave a familiar impression. Director Yoon Hee-sung, who directed the film, said, "This is not the finished product," adding, "We plan to produce a drama series, so the quality will improve over time." Kim Heung-guk expressed confidence, saying, "Since we aimed to release the film on the 50th anniversary of Mrs. Yuk's death, there may be some shortcomings," but added, "Our film is also a gold medal-worthy documentary."
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