Memorable Classic Songs on the Autumn Screen... Laugh and Cry with 'Life is Beautiful' [Comprehensive]

Movie 'Life is Beautiful' Press Screening
Starring Ryu Seung-ryong and Yeom Jeong-ah
Opens September 28

Ryu Seung-ryong Yeom Jeong-ah / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] The musical film 'Life is Beautiful,' perfectly matching the approaching autumn, will be released in theaters on the 28th. The nostalgic scent, like yellow ginkgo leaves, stirs the tear glands.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Ryu Seung-ryong expressed confidence at the press screening of the film 'Life is Beautiful' (director Choi Guk-hee) held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, saying, "It is a film that awakens the preciousness of ordinary daily life like a gift," and "It will gain much empathy."

'Life is Beautiful' is Korea's first jukebox musical film that sings about our lives, featuring the husband Jin-bong (Ryu Seung-ryong) who reluctantly travels across the country with his wife Se-yeon (Yeom Jeong-ah), who made an absurd request to find her first love as a birthday present.

Directed by Choi Guk-hee, who helmed 'Split' (2016) and 'Default' (2018), the film draws universal empathy through first love, friendship, and family love. Director Choi said, "It's the story of our mothers," adding, "When I read the script, my mother came to mind. Audiences will think of their loved ones." He also expressed confidence, saying, "It's a film that anyone can enjoy." He continued, "The actors prepared for a long time in acting, singing, and dancing."

Photo by Yonhap News

The jukebox musical features popular music spanning from the 1970s to the 2000s. Director Choi explained, "Together with the writer and music director, we selected the final songs from 30 to 40 candidates." He added, "The moment the music starts, it is set as a fantasy."

Ryu Seung-ryong said, "Since we are a people who sing and dance, it was a burden," explaining, "We focused on conveying the situation through popular songs that anyone can enjoy." Yeom Jeong-ah said, "It was my dream to do a musical film, so I had confidence and a sense of challenge." She recalled, "The dancing and singing were difficult. We pre-recorded, and on set, we lip-synced. The subsequent main recording process was not easy either."

Yeom Jeong-ah and Ryu Seung-ryong boast a natural acting chemistry like a real married couple. Ryu said, "Since we are parents and married, we comfortably performed everyday life acting." He added, "I was happy to work with Yeom Jeong-ah, an actress and star I admired. She welcomed me by calling me 'oppa' as soon as we met, which disarmed me." In response, Yeom said, "I admired his comedy acting after watching the film 'Extreme Job' several times. I really wanted to work with Ryu Seung-ryong."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.