The Happy Life

director

Lee Jun-ik(이준익)

cast

Jung Jin-young

Kim Yoon-seok

Kim Sang-ho

Jang Geun-seok

Kim Ho-jeong

Choo Kwi-jeong

Ko Ah-ra

Jeong Seong-mi

Lee Jeong-yeon

Park Joon-mook

Joo Jin-mo

Bang Joon-seok

Lee Byung-hoon

Watch Sun-heui Become 'Sunny'

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter ``Sunny,'' a love story set amid the Vietnam War, epitomizes South Korean director Lee Jun-ik's cinematic endeavors by bringing together the period detail of ``King and the Clown'' (2005) and musical inspirations of ``The Happy Life'' (2007). This is the country's first movie directly depicting the sweat of some 320,000 Korean soldiers that fought with American forces. At the time, veteran singers like Patty Kim and Hyun Mi, who were pin-up girls back then, traveled to the war-torn land to cheer up soldiers. According to the director, a black and white photograph of a beautiful ``consolatory band'' singer gave birth to the film. Lee brings a tale that seeps into the heart with the wistful tunes of Kim Chu-ja's ``My Love Is Faraway,'' the Korean title of the movie. The story is basically about an average rural housewife who, with the sole aim of tracking down her husband, becomes a singer. But the film grazes upon a broader sense of love and humanitarian concern as it depicts a long voyage of self-discovery. It's 1971 Confucian Korea. Actress Su Ae is Sun-heui, a quiet young woman stuck in an arranged marriage with a man who's still in love with his college sweetheart. She has no choice but to submit to her stern mother-in-law's futile campaign for a grandson, and regularly visits her soldier husband Sang-gil (Um Tae-woong). Yet, all he returns is a cold glance and a poignant question: ``Do you even know what love is?'' She is speechless. One day, Sun-heui discovers that Sang-gil has left for Vietnam. When her distraught mother-in-law packs bags to find the family's sole male heir, Sun-heui decides to make the trip. While civilians are unable to travel to the warstruck country, she finds out that so-called consolatory singers can go. She finally finds a way to make use of her latent vocal talent. This incredulous turn of events is made possible with another desperate character. Jung-man (Jung Jin-young), a con artist, cannot miss out on the lucrative business, and happily recruits Sun-heui and other band members. Thus our protagonist trades in her outmoded name Sun-heui for Sunny. But of course, stripping down from floral blouses buttoned all the way to the top and ankle-length skirts into cleavage-bearing mini dresses and risque high heels isn't easy. However, a sense of fortitude grapples our protagonist as she watches innocent civilians, young soldiers and Vietcong perish. While this type of character development is all rather formulaic to war dramas, the film depicts it with tasteful restraint. Our laconic Sunny says it all with a flicker of pain in her eyes and by crooning lyrics like ``I should have told you I loved you but it's too late.'' A question seems to linger in her mind. ``Do you love me?'' her husband had asked her. The movie offers a sense of liberation, as Sun-heui truly becomes Sunny, dancing and singing her heart out. Her strength of will boosts the morale of soldiers and transforms shady men like our greasy, velvet bellbottoms-wearing Jung-man, who was keen on exploiting the star singer. The film takes on a dash of ``Saving Private Ryan'' (1998) as Sunny's ``fans'' (high-ranking military men) help search for her missing husband. Will her heart reach his? ``Sunny'' may at first remind you of ``Cold Mountain'' (2003), where a man embarks on a cross-country trek during the American Civil War to find the love of his life. But the movie is more a kindred spirit of ``The Painted Veil'' (2006) ― ``sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people.'' In theaters July 24. 15 and over. 126 minutes. No English subtitles. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex.

Middle-Aged Men Escape, Onscreen

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter A lineup of heartwarming family movies await audiences with Korea's thanksgiving holiday Chuseok around the corner. Among them, ``Bravo My Life,'' ``The Happy Life'' and ``Wild Hogs,'' show that one can never be too late to rock 'n' roll or hit the road on bikes. The latent spirit of youth awakens in middle-aged men, providing much laughter and tears for audiences of all ages, especially fathers. White-collar Band Sings `Bravo My Life' Four veteran actors, Baek Yoon-sik (``Art of Fighting,'' 2000), Park Jun-qu (``My Wife is a Gangster 2,'' 2003) and Ihm Ha-ryong (``Welcome to Dongmakgol,'' 2005) make breakthrough lead performances in ``Bravo My Life,'' now showing in theaters. Inspired by the true story of a group of white-collar rockers Gapgeunse (Grade A Earned Income Tax) Band, the movie traces the depressing retirement of Min-hyuk (Bae Yoon-sik). Diligent but far from ambitious, 50-year-old Min-hyuk dedicated 30 years to his firm. Awaiting his retirement ``due to old age'' in 30 days, the man sighs deeply, saddened by the ``three tragedies of modern man: Having to retire while still young, breaking one's back to earn children's tuition fees and not even being able to die because of a longer lifespan.'' While Min-hyuk's employees prepare a special farewell gift for him, hidden talents of fellow workers are unveiled: Min-hyuk was once an aspiring rocker, with a flair for drumming, while Seung-jae and Seok-won turn out to be guitarists, and Jong-su is a saxophone player. These four unlikely white-collar workers form a rock band and relive the glory of their youth, adding color and rhythm to their dull, monotonous lives. Friends Celebrate `The Happy Life' ``The Happy Life'' thoroughly resembles ``Bravo,'' with four men reliving their youth by forming a rock band. Even one of the characters, Hyeok-su, also a gireogi father like ``Bravo's'' Seung-jae, and also has a pet turtle for company. Here, another set of four veteran actors, including one former child star, give life to colorful characters. ``King and the Clown's'' director Lee Joon-ik and male lead Jung Jin-young get back together in ``Bravo.'' Jung plays the role of an unemployed father, Gi-yeong, who lives on a daily allowance from his working wife while trying hard not to embarrass his teenage daughter. One day, he reunites with members of his college rock band Volcano at the funeral of their lead vocalist Sang-woo. Former bass play Seong-wook lives a hand-to-mouth existence working two jobs while trying to maintain his upper-middleclass lifestyle. One-time drummer Hyeok-su makes a living selling secondhand cars to support his wife and children in Canada. Gi-yeong is inspired one day to revive Volcano: After much persuasion, the band regroups for the first time in 20 years, with the late vocalist's young son Hyeon-jun, played by grown up child-star Jang Geun-seok. Although Volcano members manage to escape the mundane while onstage, they must face the anticlimactic moments of reality offstage. If an exciting rock performance is like a much-needed breath of fresh air for ``Bravo,'' it's like a sigh for ``Happy.'' While the drama culminates through the grand finale performance of ``Bravo,'' ``Happy'' shows how these men deal with ordinary life after tasting the sweet sensation of the stage spotlight. Like ``Bravo,'' ``Happy'' celebrates friendship and family values, and shows that what is often called a mid-life crisis is but a small bump on the road. ``Happy'' will open across theaters Thursday. A scene from "Wild Hogs" `Wild Hogs' Hit the Road Four Hollywood favorites _ John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy _ shine in the sliver screen as four middle-aged, suburban biker-wannabes. In Cincinnati, dentist Doug Madsen (Time Allen) is bored with his middle-class life and reminisces his reckless youth when he was known as ``the Golden Biker.'' The aspirant writer Bobby Davis (Martin Lawrence) is miserable with his dead-end job and pressure from his wife. The computer geek Dudley Frank (William H. Macy) is painfully shy and unsuccessful with women. The wealthy Woody Stevens (John Travollta) is married to asupermodel, but his perfect life starts breaking apart unexpectedly. Equipped with black leather gear and shiny motorcycles, four friends embark on an adventurous road trip, but ``a lot can happen on the road to nowhere.'' The movie provides endless laughter as these ``Wild Hogs'' get more than they bargained for when they encounter a New Mexico gang. Showing exclusively at Cinus Theaters. hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

Jang Geun Suk, "I'm living a 'Happy Life.'"

The movie 'Happy Life' directed by Lee Jun Ik draws the story of three normal men in their forties who reunite to form a rock band and rediscover their dreams. Amongst the three normal looking men with exceptional acting skills is one youthful and lively actor, Jang Geun Suk. Jang Geun Suk who in the movie grew into an adult still had a hint of his youthful image in person. While Director Lee Jun Ik's comment saying he restricted the screen time of Jang Geun Suk so female viewers wouldn't just focus on him, his charisma as the son of the former vocalist of the band Hyun Joon grabbed the heart of viewers with his good looks, picture perfect guitar skills, and surprisingly good vocals. He takes on an important role as not just bringing youthful vibes to the movie but also as an important link between the older and younger generations. Jang Geun Suk who says the question he received most after the movie's premiere was whether he really sang the song actually is experienced with two musical productions. Director Lee Jun Ik who was with us during the interview says, "It is like I am the child and Geun Suk is the adult," and nonetheless Jang Geun Suk's serious and skillful speech grasped my attention. "Being so young, I contemplated a lot while acting Hyun Joon to be in more scenes. The scene using the restroom with senior Kim Sang Ho was one I created so the audience could better understand Hyun Joon. He tells me that I look the same as my father, and that is the moment I first picture the true father Hyun Joon never could understand before. I thought the audience would feel the fathers' love for their children through the scene." Jang Geun Suk says the film shoot itself was a precious experience to him commenting, "All three of them were my mentors. They all live with their dreams. Having a lot or little money does not matter. They have the confidence and flexibility in regards to life not from being a star that everyone thinks of them as, but rather as ones who have achieved their dreams. They would practice all night, have a drink, and go out in slippers and grab something to eat." He says the movie 'Happy Life' is one that asks, 'Are you living and doing what you want to do? Or are you living and doing what you have to do?' and that is the question that dominated his head throughout the filming. "I started acting in middle school. It was my decision. Then one day I asked myself, 'Jang Geun Suk, are you happy right now?' and realized I was climbing stairs with no particular goal and no composure. I asked around about what a happy life is and asked my seniors as well. Of course there is not right answer, but thankfully I have found a little bit of composure in myself. And now I can enjoy things, at least to the point I can smell the scent of fall outside of the window." He seemed to be quite pleased in learning something priceless from Director Lee Jun Ik and the three other senior actors. The movie features a father who works day and night to pay for private lessons and education for a talented son, and a father who sends off his child and wife abroad to study but ends up facing a divorce. They all live amidst self-gratification, or excuses, saying it is all for their children, and this is not much different from parents in the real world today. I asked Jang Geun Suk who is still in the position of being a parent's child what he wanted from his parents. He says that his parents, while not fully approving when he said he wanted to act, supported him by telling him to do what he wanted to do. "Are children truly happy when they achieve the social status their parents want them to? They all just go towards the one goal forgetting whether it was the parent's dream or the child's dream. I wish parents would trust their children and let them pursue what they want to. If only they could understand that children wander in their youth not because they don't know what to do, but they are struggling and trying hard to find what fits them. I believe everything is about the 'trust' between the parent and child." In that sense, he says, "The movie 'Happy Life' can serve to be a meaningful opportunity to reflect on life with all the fantasies and reality barriers set aside between a father and son." Jang Geun Suk is also chasing a dream. "I became known through commercials and the sitcom 'Nonstop.' Until then I wasn't really an actor. If anything, I was an entertainer with a cute image. But after 'Nonstop' ended and I saw the spotlight that was on me shifting immediately to another person, I fell into a slum. And not being admitted to the college I wanted at the time put me at a loss of what to do. Fortunately, I was cast in two musicals and I was able to be satisfied seeing myself on a large stage. And I think I was able to become known as an actor through the drama 'Hwangjiny,' and I can feel more of that through the movie 'Happy Life.' But this is not my final destination." He restlessly spoke about his dreams. "I don't believe myself to be an adult yet. I still have a mind that is not quite yet fully matured. But I hope people who meet me can become closer as a person and respect and trust me." Then what would be the image of an 'actor' Jang Geun Suk be? "I want to be pure. Whether I become 40 or 60, I want to be a humble actor who doesn't loses passion. I am extremely happy right now by just being able to act." He is a young actor who is experiencing a pleasant growth period.

Happy Life: By Simply Realizing What You Want to Do.

The opening of “Happy Life,” the most recent movie by Lee Jun-ik – director of “The King and the Clown” and “Radio Star” – is just around the corner. The story of a rock band consisting of 40-year-old men is scheduled for release on September 13. The movie tells the story of three men who graduated from the same college and formed a band in memory of their deceased friend. The story develops as expected, but their reality is something with which men can easily sympathize. The only way to stay away from the reality is music, attracting and exciting moviegoers. The movie sends a message of interaction between generations through music as the men accept the son (played by Jang Geun-seok) of their dead friend into the band. The overriding tone of the movie is the feeling of people in their 40’s, which is well-captured by the 49-year-old director. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Lee and Jang. About Movies- Lee: “We put little money into this film -2.8 billion won- and chose to work harder rather than increasing funding. Look at my muscles; they are the result of my labor. Through this movie, I wanted to talk about something small and humane. The movie sets out to close the gap of misunderstanding, which stems from ignorance. If you become honest, you will be more humane and will part with misunderstandings. The previous movie – the King and the Clown – communicates the message that eventually kings and clowns are the same human beings.” Jang: “I have never thought of myself as an actor; I am just an entertainer. This is why I experienced troubles for a long time. While shooting this movie, I realize that I want to be more like my colleagues, who are older than me.” Middle-Aged Men in Korea- Lee: “I feel pity of Korean middle-aged men. Their life is full of difficulty. Women might say that the difficulty is not limited to only men. But I want to recognize and encourage men in their mid-age. And I want to tell them ‘Let’s not grow up.’” Jang: “I was worried about the generation gap while making the film, but there was no need for me to do so” (Lee explained, “Jang is very mature for his age; where we are not). “I cannot imagine what middle-age life will bring. I feel that marriage is like a fantasy.” Music- Lee: “Rock means rebellion and freedom. When you stand on the stage as a rock star, you will feel like you are the center of the world. Enthusiastic audiences may feel the same way. Though rock is western music, it is similar to the Korean way of enjoying leisure time, particularly Madangnori – the Korean traditional performance. It is important is to allow performers and their audience to interact.” Jang: “I grew up listening to the music of H.O.T. and god. While I was shooting the concert scene at the end of the movie, I felt joy I had never experienced before and I couldn’t come down from the stage after finishing the scene. I realized that this kind of joy enables singers to pursue rock music even though they barely make enough money to survive.” Dream- Lee: “You cannot do whatever you want, but you can improve your reality. Top priority for Koreans in their 40’s is the education of their children. Now it is time for the children to be freed. Only ten percent of children succeed because they are good at school. My test score was 58th in my class. If you know what you want to do, your life will be happy. We are well aware of what we should not do, but we don’t know what we want to do.” Jang: “A happy life? Now I am happy. But I will do more to be happier.”

[MOVIE REVIEW]Upbeat spin on Korean men

For the family. For the company. For the future. There is almost always some excuse for not doing something that we really want to do. We proudly call it "sacrifice" that is necessary for our happiness. After all, our true wishes will be realized some day if we gladly persevere present suffering. The only embarrassing truth is that such a dream-come-true, suffering-well-endured day never comes for working-class people who are often forced to confront one painful challenge after another. "The Happy Life," directed by Lee Jun-ik ("King and the Clown" and "Radio Star") starts off to a slow start, toying with the idea of the sadness and loneliness that grip middle-aged Korean men beset by a variety of troubles at home and in the workplace. Worse, Ki-young (Jung Jin-young) does not have a workplace to complain about. He's laid off from a financial company and has to get by on just 10 bucks a day, a meager allowance from his wife Sun-mi (Kim Ho-jeong). Even his teenage daughter Ju-hee, played by Ko Ah-seong ("The Host"), does not have much respect for his father, who has spent his prime years for the family. Powerless and money-less, Ki-young is shunned like a ghost. Aware of his awkward position in the family, he finds himself going outside when Ju-hee brings her school friends to his house. Seong-wook (Kim Yoon-seok), a close friend of Ki-young's, is in no better position. He also lost his job recently. He has talented and intelligent kids and an education-obsessed wife to support, so he's working like hell -- a bike courier during the day and a paid driver for hire during the night. The last member of the trio is Hyeok-su (Kim Sang-ho), a glib car salesman who works equally hard to foot the bill for the expensive schooling for his children who stay in Canada with his wife. They went to the same college and -- yes, it's hard to believe -- they used to be a four-member rock band. They even joined the national college song competition as many as three times, only to face humiliating rejection at every attempt. A turning point comes when long-forgotten band member, Sang-ho, suddenly dies, leaving his only son, Hyeon-jun (Chang Geun-seok). The three struggling middle-aged men, facing a personal crisis of their own, stumble into something that they have secretly missed for the past decades and yet have not had the courage to put into action -- a rock band. Director Lee is particularly adept at weaving a web of small plot points that eventually form a bigger picture -- a rock band whose members represent average Korean men in their 40s who have very little to lose, even if they put a tattoo on their arms and put on outlandish outfits that are only encouraged in the upscale Hongdae club district in western Seoul. The story itself is hardly an eye-opener; the real strength is hidden behind the seemingly straightforward plot. Director Lee does not put too many melodramatic flourishes on the three men and the young boy, but neither does he stay aloof from the heart-shattering incidents that put to a grueling test their friendship and adventurous, rebellious spirit that remains latent until recently. The name of the band, aptly called "Active Volcano," is a venue where they transform their latent spirit into overflowing energy on the stage. Director Lee's tenacious camera tracks the amateur band's emotional performances up close and from a distance, striking a gentle balance in a way that prods the viewers to get in sync with the trouble-laden yet high-spirited band members. Many of the key scenes involve the oft-cited negative aspects that snare middle-aged Korean men -- a set of obstacles that resonates more forcefully toward the end, with Hyeok-su considering shutting down his auto sales shop altogether and solving his family crisis. In "The Happy Life," the real cinematic delight comes from the music itself, mostly retro and intermittently modified to the taste of clubbing youth. What is remarkable is that all the music pieces are actually performed by the actors -- no small feat considering that they are not professional musicians. Although professional musicians may well find fault with every move of the band members from Ki-young's lead guitar to Seong-wook's bass to Heok-su's drum, director Lee does not allow such critical perspectives to step in because he steers the plot along an uninterrupted track full of renewed energy and not-so-latent vigor. Lee also sticks to the core message to the end: Sacrifice no more and do whatever you really want to do, however late it might be. By Yang Sung-jin