Movie director Lee Joon-ik, known for films like 'The King’s Man' and 'The Book of Fish,' is engaging audiences with a vertical short drama. This marks the first time vertical content designed for smartphones is being showcased on a theater screen. As the director takes a bold step into the short-form market with a simple family story, attention is focused on how this format experiment will resonate in cinemas.
On September 3, a press screening and media conference for the film 'Father's Home Cooking' (directed by Lee Joon-ik) took place at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The event featured director Lee Joon-ik along with actors Jung Jin-young and Lee Jung-eun.
'Father's Home Cooking' tells the story of a father, Ha-eung (played by Jung Jin-young), who has relied on home-cooked meals for 40 years. When his wife, Soon-ae (played by Lee Jung-eun), suffers from a cooking block, he steps into the kitchen for the first time. Based on a webtoon of the same name by author Go Ri-ta, the film was initially planned as a short drama for the mobile platform Lezhin Snacks but is now being screened as a 'vertical cinema' feature through Lotte Cinema.
Director Lee stated, "I was able to capture the warm and humorous essence of the original work in the film. Watching it on screen today made me realize that the format—whether horizontal or vertical—is not what matters most. Even when viewing paintings from hundreds of years ago, horizontal ones depict landscapes while vertical ones portray figures and portraits. The vertical format allows for an intimate and profound glimpse into each character's inner world."
The director's decision to break away from traditional commercial filmmaking to explore short-form directing stems from the current stagnation in the film industry and a desire to support younger filmmakers.
Lee explained, "The barriers in the film industry have become so high that I wanted to encourage my juniors to express their creativity, even through short-form works. After receiving some light-hearted teasing about whether I was dismissing short-form just because I make commercial films, I decided to take on this direction. Ultimately, I feel it was a good decision to embrace this new challenge."
He added, "I was concerned about whether I could make this short-form film enjoyable, given that my films are less sensational and not violent. However, I realized that even a simple family story could be engaging if we leverage the short-form's concise structure effectively."
'Father's Home Cooking' features a talented cast, including Jung Jin-young, Lee Jung-eun, and Byun Yo-han, who plays the eldest son, Myung-bok. The actors create a strong dynamic within the somewhat unfamiliar short-form format, filling the screen with their performances.
Jung Jin-young described the film as a "tear-jerking comedy," stating, "I thought it was important not to exaggerate my comedic performance. Approaching it with sincerity feels like the true essence of comedy. I even asked AI about 'short-form acting techniques,' and it turns out there are distinct methods for film and short-form acting. However, as an actor, I focused on the basics without making a distinction."
He also noted, "What was interesting was that the staff were not far away but close, allowing me to feel their energy and warmth while acting."
Lee Jung-eun, who plays Soon-ae, the wife who suddenly hands over the rice cooker to her husband, shared her personal connection to the character. "My mother recently said, 'I really don’t want to cook anymore; I’m tired of it,' and my father only eats home-cooked meals. I found it fascinating and enjoyable to portray a character that prompts reflection on the everyday lives of parents, especially for those who take home-cooked meals for granted," she said.
The actors expressed positive expectations regarding the unusual attempt to showcase a mobile-targeted 'vertical short drama' on a large theater screen.
Jung Jin-young joked, "The director was pushed into directing, and I feel like I’m being pushed into the release as well." He added, "During the screening at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, I noticed that the audience was completely engaged and no one left. While the original goal was to provide a short-form drama, we thought there might be viewers who want to experience it on a big screen, so we decided to reach out to them directly."
He continued, "If a feature film is a panoramic view, then OTT dramas are like a large window in a small apartment, while this is more like a small ventilation window or a peephole. Even if you look through it, the beautiful scenery outside is worth seeing. Senior Lee Kyung-kyu also mentioned that it doesn’t matter whether it’s horizontal or vertical. I hope viewers enjoy it, even in this strange and unique environment."
Lee Jung-eun added, "My mother watched it on her laptop and said she wanted to see it on a big screen. I appreciate that we have a venue that can attract audiences who find it difficult to watch on their phones. I believe it’s a great attempt to bring a good story to various audiences, regardless of the space."
Finally, Director Lee reflected on a previous screening for the general public, saying, "I was surprised to see the theater filled with older individuals when I entered towards the end. I think the film’s charm lies in the shared experience of watching a movie that resonates with one’s age. I hope not only older viewers but also granddaughters, daughters-in-law, and families can come together to enjoy a glimpse into our lives."
Jung Jin-young expressed, "I don’t expect this film to achieve huge box office success, but I hope it provides a happy viewing experience where audiences can say, 'This is fun.'" Lee Jung-eun also noted, "Since it doesn’t have the sensational themes typical of most short dramas, I believe it will appeal to a wide range of age groups. As viewers follow the story, their focus will increase, making the small screen feel larger."
Meanwhile, 'Father's Home Cooking' is set to be released in Lotte Cinema on September 9.
On September 3, a press screening and media conference for the film 'Father's Home Cooking' (directed by Lee Joon-ik) took place at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The event featured director Lee Joon-ik along with actors Jung Jin-young and Lee Jung-eun.
'Father's Home Cooking' tells the story of a father, Ha-eung (played by Jung Jin-young), who has relied on home-cooked meals for 40 years. When his wife, Soon-ae (played by Lee Jung-eun), suffers from a cooking block, he steps into the kitchen for the first time. Based on a webtoon of the same name by author Go Ri-ta, the film was initially planned as a short drama for the mobile platform Lezhin Snacks but is now being screened as a 'vertical cinema' feature through Lotte Cinema.
Director Lee stated, "I was able to capture the warm and humorous essence of the original work in the film. Watching it on screen today made me realize that the format—whether horizontal or vertical—is not what matters most. Even when viewing paintings from hundreds of years ago, horizontal ones depict landscapes while vertical ones portray figures and portraits. The vertical format allows for an intimate and profound glimpse into each character's inner world."
The director's decision to break away from traditional commercial filmmaking to explore short-form directing stems from the current stagnation in the film industry and a desire to support younger filmmakers.
Lee explained, "The barriers in the film industry have become so high that I wanted to encourage my juniors to express their creativity, even through short-form works. After receiving some light-hearted teasing about whether I was dismissing short-form just because I make commercial films, I decided to take on this direction. Ultimately, I feel it was a good decision to embrace this new challenge."
He added, "I was concerned about whether I could make this short-form film enjoyable, given that my films are less sensational and not violent. However, I realized that even a simple family story could be engaging if we leverage the short-form's concise structure effectively."
'Father's Home Cooking' features a talented cast, including Jung Jin-young, Lee Jung-eun, and Byun Yo-han, who plays the eldest son, Myung-bok. The actors create a strong dynamic within the somewhat unfamiliar short-form format, filling the screen with their performances.
Jung Jin-young described the film as a "tear-jerking comedy," stating, "I thought it was important not to exaggerate my comedic performance. Approaching it with sincerity feels like the true essence of comedy. I even asked AI about 'short-form acting techniques,' and it turns out there are distinct methods for film and short-form acting. However, as an actor, I focused on the basics without making a distinction."
He also noted, "What was interesting was that the staff were not far away but close, allowing me to feel their energy and warmth while acting."
Lee Jung-eun, who plays Soon-ae, the wife who suddenly hands over the rice cooker to her husband, shared her personal connection to the character. "My mother recently said, 'I really don’t want to cook anymore; I’m tired of it,' and my father only eats home-cooked meals. I found it fascinating and enjoyable to portray a character that prompts reflection on the everyday lives of parents, especially for those who take home-cooked meals for granted," she said.
The actors expressed positive expectations regarding the unusual attempt to showcase a mobile-targeted 'vertical short drama' on a large theater screen.
Jung Jin-young joked, "The director was pushed into directing, and I feel like I’m being pushed into the release as well." He added, "During the screening at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, I noticed that the audience was completely engaged and no one left. While the original goal was to provide a short-form drama, we thought there might be viewers who want to experience it on a big screen, so we decided to reach out to them directly."
He continued, "If a feature film is a panoramic view, then OTT dramas are like a large window in a small apartment, while this is more like a small ventilation window or a peephole. Even if you look through it, the beautiful scenery outside is worth seeing. Senior Lee Kyung-kyu also mentioned that it doesn’t matter whether it’s horizontal or vertical. I hope viewers enjoy it, even in this strange and unique environment."
Lee Jung-eun added, "My mother watched it on her laptop and said she wanted to see it on a big screen. I appreciate that we have a venue that can attract audiences who find it difficult to watch on their phones. I believe it’s a great attempt to bring a good story to various audiences, regardless of the space."
Finally, Director Lee reflected on a previous screening for the general public, saying, "I was surprised to see the theater filled with older individuals when I entered towards the end. I think the film’s charm lies in the shared experience of watching a movie that resonates with one’s age. I hope not only older viewers but also granddaughters, daughters-in-law, and families can come together to enjoy a glimpse into our lives."
Jung Jin-young expressed, "I don’t expect this film to achieve huge box office success, but I hope it provides a happy viewing experience where audiences can say, 'This is fun.'" Lee Jung-eun also noted, "Since it doesn’t have the sensational themes typical of most short dramas, I believe it will appeal to a wide range of age groups. As viewers follow the story, their focus will increase, making the small screen feel larger."
Meanwhile, 'Father's Home Cooking' is set to be released in Lotte Cinema on September 9.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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