Actress Go Ah-sung has left Korea, conveying a message about the pursuit of individual happiness.
On August 21, a press screening and press conference for the film "I Hate Korea" was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Attendees included Go Ah-sung, Joo Jong-hyuk, Kim Woo-gyeom, and director Jang Geon-jae. The movie is based on the bestselling novel by Jang Kang-myeong and was the opening film of the 28th Busan International Film Festival last year.
"I Hate Korea" tells the story of Gye-na, played by Go Ah-sung, a woman in her late 20s who suddenly decides to leave her job, family, and boyfriend behind to search for happiness in New Zealand.
Director Jang discussed what drew him to the project, saying, "I read the original novel when it was published in 2015 and immediately thought it would make a great film. The novel is narrated from Gye-na's first-person perspective, but the film required creating additional characters and realistic settings. The novel spans about seven to eight years, so I had to think about how to condense that time in the film."
He also shared the challenges of adapting the novel into a movie. "The task was to bring to life the characters imagined in the novel through living, breathing actors," Jang said. "I was especially focused on how to portray the difficult and oppressive nature of Korean society, where each person carries their own hell within them. While the film doesn’t attempt to address all societal issues, it does highlight the struggles faced by the characters, particularly young people like Gye-na."
Go Ah-sung spoke about her decision to take on the role. "When I first read the script, I knew I had to be part of this project. It felt like a film I would regret passing on," she said. "I wanted to portray the exhaustion and struggles of a woman in her late 20s, who has experienced the highs and lows of youth."
Gye-na's experiences in New Zealand stand in stark contrast to her life in Korea. Go Ah-sung detailed how she tried to show this change through her appearance, including tanning her skin and buying all her clothes locally in New Zealand.
Joo Jong-hyuk, who plays Gye-na's close friend Jae-in from her time in New Zealand, shared his personal connection to the role. "I actually studied in New Zealand, so I felt I could bring something unique to the character. The script brought back memories of my time there, and I was able to draw on those experiences for my performance."
Kim Woo-gyeom plays Ji-myeong, Gye-na's longtime boyfriend, who represents a significant part of her life in Korea. He reflected on his character, saying, "I initially didn’t see much similarity between myself and Ji-myeong, but now I realize we share some traits. Ji-myeong might seem frustratingly optimistic, but that’s a quality I’ve come to appreciate and aspire to."
The actors also shared their thoughts on personal happiness. Joo Jong-hyuk said, "The film made me reflect on my past. I studied abroad at my parents' urging, and while I didn’t feel happy at the time, those experiences later became valuable to me. I believe happiness is something we find in our daily lives."
Kim Woo-gyeom added, "When I first watched the film at the Busan International Film Festival, I sided with Gye-na’s pursuit of happiness. But watching it again, I realized that Ji-myeong’s version of happiness is just as important. What matters most is finding happiness in the present."
Go Ah-sung concluded, "Even though I started working at a young age, I don’t feel like I’ve had a fully formed sense of self throughout my career. While I naturally empathize with Gye-na, I hope audiences will have mixed opinions about the characters. Unlike my previous roles in films like 'A Resistance' or 'Samjin Company English Class,' where I felt a strong responsibility to convey a serious message, I want viewers of 'I Hate Korea' to also appreciate Ji-myeong’s perspective on life."
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