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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Actors Import Films They Want to See, Sharing Tastes with Audiences

From Hankyoreh · (5m ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Actors are increasingly importing and distributing films they want to see, sharing their tastes with audiences.
  • Comedian Moon Sang-hoon imported the film 'Nirvana the Band' after discovering it at the Cannes Film Market, citing a desire to share films not easily found in theaters.
  • This trend sees actors like Jung Il-woo and Kim Jae-wook also participating in film distribution, either through investment or by establishing their own distribution companies.

It's heartening to see a growing number of South Korean actors taking the initiative to bring the films they love directly to audiences. This isn't just about watching a movie; it's about curating an experience and sharing a piece of one's own artistic soul.

It feels like introducing a friend to a great restaurant and watching their reaction. I'm nervous.

— Moon Sang-hoonSpeaking at a press preview for the film 'Nirvana the Band,' explaining his feelings about importing and screening the movie.

Moon Sang-hoon, a prominent figure in the comedy group 'Badadners,' articulated this sentiment perfectly when he described importing 'Nirvana the Band.' He likened creating his own YouTube content to cooking a meal, but his desire to introduce friends to exceptional dishes from elsewhere—films, in this case—was strong. He now feels the same anticipation as when introducing a friend to a hidden culinary gem, eagerly awaiting their reaction.

At some point, it became difficult to see the movies I liked in theaters. I wondered, 'Wouldn't it be great if the movies I want to see were screened in theaters? If people with similar tastes gathered and I could hear the sound of laughter leaking out?' This imagination began early last year.

— Moon Sang-hoonExplaining his motivation for importing films, as stated in a press release created as a YouTube video.

This movement goes beyond individual passion projects. Actors like Jung Il-woo are investing in distribution companies like Green Nare Media, which has a track record of introducing critically acclaimed films such as 'Triangle of Sadness' and 'Anatomy of a Fall' to Korean audiences. Kim Jae-wook has even established his own distribution company, Crescent Film, demonstrating a serious commitment to the art of film exhibition.

The desire to share tastes and exert capabilities in areas different from one's main job seems to lead to interest in importing art films.

— Yoo Hyun-taekCEO of Green Nare Media, evaluating the trend of actors importing films.

From our perspective at Hankyoreh, this trend signifies a healthy evolution within the Korean film industry. It highlights a desire among artists to engage more deeply with cinema, not just as performers but as tastemakers and cultural disseminators. While international coverage might focus on box office numbers or blockbuster productions, we see this as a vital grassroots movement enriching the cinematic landscape and offering diverse, high-quality films to discerning viewers.

In the current media environment, there are many concerns about existing marketing methods, and as an importer, we can receive help in these areas, creating meaningful collaborative synergy.

— Yoo Hyun-taekCEO of Green Nare Media, discussing the benefits of collaboration with actors in film import and distribution.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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