FILM ‘FOLLOWING’ FOCUSES ON DARK SIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: DIRECTOR KIM SE-HWI

▲ A photo of Kim Se-hwi, the director of film "Following," provided by Content Zio on May 8, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 8 (Yonhap) -- Director Kim Se-hwi's film 'Following' delves into the story of Sorah (played by Shin Hye-sun), an influencer leading a double life contrary to the glamorous persona displayed on social media. Jung Tae (played by Byun Yo-han) obsessively spies on others.

The story unfolds as Jung Tae accidentally encounters Sorah's private life while at a convenience store.

Speaking at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the 8th, director Kim stated, "I focused on the negative aspects of social media," adding, "I aimed to highlight the dark side of human nature that relies on anonymity." The film is set to release on the 15th.

▲ A poster of film "Following," provided by Content Zio, Artist Studio and Moving Pictures on May 8, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The characters in the movie are portrayed as troubled individuals spawned by the era of social media. Alongside Jung Tae and Sorah, there are Sorah's blindly devoted follower Jonghak (played by Yoon Byung-hee) and internet broadcast BJ Horugi (played by Park Ye-ni) who tear down Sorah on SNS.

'Following' is a thriller crafted from these diverse human figures. The story of those addicted to social media seamlessly transitions between online and offline realms.

Jung Tae, who manages clients' house keys as a real estate agent, is caught up in the pathological habit of secretly entering empty houses without permission while clients are out, eventually even intruding into Sorah's home. Discovering Sorah stabbed to death there, he becomes entangled in an unidentified incident. Jung Tae, who commits the crime of breaking and entering, finds himself unable to report the murder scene to the police.

Reflecting on the inception of 'Following,' director Kim reminisced, "I began with the imagination of 'What if someone discovers a body but can't report it?'"

Byun Yo-han effectively portrays Jung Tae, who, despite engaging in covert misdeeds, believes he doesn't cross his own moral line. "To bring such a character to life required Byun Yo-han's acting prowess," Kim remarked.

▲ A still photo of upcoming film "Following," provided by Moving Pictures Company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Sorah's role necessitated an actor who could embody the charm fitting for a popular influencer while also portraying the twisted human nature behind the scenes. Kim explained that Shin Hye-sun was ideal for this role after recommending her and watching all her works. "Her acting was exceptional, capable of expressing various emotions suitable for different genres," she praised.

Regarding Jung Tae and Sorah, Kim noted, "These characters exist outside the normal boundaries, so the audience may feel uncomfortable," adding, "I made efforts not to glorify them."

The only character seemingly normal in 'Following' is Detective Young-joo (played by Lee El), who investigates the case. With her strong intellectual impression, Young-joo stands out from typical detective characters seen in movies.

"Detective Young-joo instills faith in the audience that she will uncover the truth behind the case, fitting perfectly with actress Lee El's image," Kim remarked.

▲ A still photo of upcoming film "Following," provided by Moving Pictures Company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Kim, who enjoyed writing since childhood and won awards for scenarios in the high school drama club and at the Busan Youth Drama Festival, entered the film industry after graduating from college.She worked as a script supervisor on films like 'Manhole' (2014), 'Untouched Lawman' (2015), 'Operation Chromite' (2016), and 'Deoggu' (2018) before making her directorial debut with 'Following.'

Expressing mixed emotions about her upcoming debut, Kim likened it to "the feeling of when the owner of a cute cat you've been caring for finally comes to take it away," saying, "It's a moment of great joy and congratulations, but at the same time, it's a bit sad."

Preparing for a fantasy historical series as his next project, Kim emphasized, "As a director pursuing commercial films, I always think that first and foremost, it should be fun," adding, "Creating a story that many viewers will find enjoyable is my top priority."

2024-05-08T08:54:09Z dg43tfdfdgfd