Lee Hwi-hyang’s First Film Lead ‘Family Trip’ Holds Press Screening

One destination, five hidden agendas! 〈Family Trip〉, a road movie about a family closer to strangers than relatives, held a well-attended press and distribution screening at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance. A news conference followed the screening, with co-directors Jeong Jong-seop and Kim Jeong-tae, who completed the film together, and lead actors Lee Hwi-hyang, Seo Young-hee, Nam Kyeong-eup and Hong Jeong-min taking questions from reporters.

Director Jeong Jong-seop introduced 〈Family Trip〉 by saying, “It’s a film that suits the fall. Beyond simply telling a family story, I wanted it to carry a message about how we should live in order to maintain a community.” Speaking about co-director Kim Jeong-tae, with whom he demonstrated strong teamwork, Jeong said, “When I finished the screenplay, just as many people liked it, many others expressed concerns about making an ‘organic’ film. There were times when I felt exhausted and overwhelmed during that process, and Kim Jeong-tae was the person who kept me going each time. After I proposed co-directing and we began working together, we went through a solid preproduction process. Even under the constraints of locations such as the scenes inside the van on the road, Kim Jeong-tae’s role stood out.” Kim Jeong-tae, a “10 million-ticket actor” making his directorial debut, shared his thoughts on the project, saying, “There may be areas where I fall short, but I wanted to let people know that I, too, have dreamed of directing films. This project also strengthened my resolve not to lose the attitude of an actor who continually studies and prepares.”

Lee Hwi-hyang, who is meeting audiences in her first leading film role after 44 years as an actor, said, “After reading the screenplay, I thought, ‘This could be my story.’ Whatever role I take on, I have to pick up everything I can to fully inhabit the character. I went to a singing class at a nursing home and closely observed the residents while spending time with people living with dementia.” Her comments reflected her affection for the film and the extraordinary effort she put into portraying Sun-im, a mother-in-law with dementia, in a more realistic way. Seo Young-hee plays Young-joo, the daughter-in-law who becomes the family’s power center and breadwinner. “I chose it because it was a story about a family I know so well, or thought I knew so well, and filming made me think a lot about my own family. I hoped Young-joo, who sacrifices herself every moment, would look back on her life while being a little more honest about her own feelings,” she said, expressing an uncommon attachment to and sincerity toward her character.

Nam Kyeong-eup, regarded as one of the first generation of Korean musical theater actors, anchors the film as Man-cheol, a stubborn father-in-law. “When I first read the screenplay, it felt warm, but there was also something cold and painful in one corner,” he said. “Man-cheol’s rigid personality didn’t match my own, but I immersed myself in the role, even losing weight because of injuries I suffered during filming.” His comments raised expectations for a performance grounded in everyday life. Hong Jeong-min, a former child actor with an impressive filmography and a remarkable record of growth, plays Yoon-jin, a teenage daughter who wants to become a vampire. “I learned not only about acting but also how to be considerate of one another on set. I was worried that Yoon-jin’s unusual character would be difficult to play, but we were able to film in a comfortable atmosphere. Yoon-jin, who was going through adolescence and wanted to become a vampire, was cute and fascinating,” she said, reflecting on bringing to life the distinctive characters of a three-generation family.