The Taiwanese film 'Happily Ever After,' invited to the Asian Film section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), has premiered. Directed by the talented Peng Yi Fiona Luan, the film features Shuhua from the K-pop group (G)I-DLE in her acting debut, captivating the audience in Busan.
On the afternoon of October 7, a press conference for 'Happily Ever After' was held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae. Attendees included director Peng Yi Fiona Luan, producers Clifford Miu and Linhan Zhang, and lead actors Shuhua, Jin Sun, and Chae Beom-hee.
Peng Yi Fiona Luan, who won the Best New Director award at the Golden Horse Awards for her debut feature 'American Girl' in 2021, presents her second feature, 'Happily Ever After.' The film explores the meaning of happiness through the contrasting lives of two sisters, Kitty and Claire. Kitty (played by Shuhua) is poised for a perfect mainstream life, enjoying her mother's love, while her older sister Claire (played by Jin Sun) struggles as a writer outside the mainstream.
Director Peng expressed her gratitude for attending the festival as a filmmaker rather than a tourist, stating, "In this film, I obsessively explored the word 'happiness.' I wanted to discuss that happiness is not just positive; it also encompasses fear, wandering, and contemplation in a multifaceted way."
Regarding her five-year hiatus since her debut, she explained, "During that time, I observed the lives of women in their 30s, including marriage and various preparations. They are all wonderful and intelligent, but they often struggle with significant life decisions. I wanted to deeply capture their dilemmas through diverse female portrayals."
The film has generated significant buzz as it marks Shuhua's first acting role. She shared, "It’s an honor to be part of such a major film festival with my first project. I feel more excitement than nervousness. On stage, I had to present myself energetically, but on screen, I had to convey subtle emotions and details, which made me think a lot about my performance."
The director expressed strong confidence in Shuhua, saying, "It wasn’t us choosing Shuhua; it was Shuhua choosing us. Her stage experience means she has spent a lot of time with the camera. Kitty is a character who struggles with decisions, and Shuhua's unique positive charm beautifully offsets that struggle."
Jin Sun, who plays Claire, shared her deep connection to the character, stating, "When I first read the script, I was moved to tears as Claire's family background and challenges resonated with my own experiences. I approached Shuhua without any preconceived notions of her idol persona, and through sharing our concerns and rehearsals, our relationship naturally deepened. I’m grateful to Shuhua for trusting me."
Chae Beom-hee, visiting Busan for the first time, expressed her joy, saying, "I love the sea, and I’m happy to see it from my accommodation. Meeting actors and directors I’ve only seen on screen at the opening ceremony was overwhelming and delightful."
Linhan Zhang, a producer who married the director after their previous collaboration on 'American Girl,' noted, "Our synergy has improved significantly with this second project, and under the director's guidance, the film's artistic vision has become clearer. As we present the film to audiences at the festival, it feels like taking a test, and I’m both nervous and excited."
The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs from October 6 to 15, showcasing a total of 316 films from 59 countries, including 69 community BIFF screenings. The opening film was 'Day and Night Are for Each Other' by director Kim Jong-kwan, and the closing film will feature award-winning works eligible for the 'Busan Award - Grand Prize' at the Academy Awards.
On the afternoon of October 7, a press conference for 'Happily Ever After' was held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae. Attendees included director Peng Yi Fiona Luan, producers Clifford Miu and Linhan Zhang, and lead actors Shuhua, Jin Sun, and Chae Beom-hee.
Peng Yi Fiona Luan, who won the Best New Director award at the Golden Horse Awards for her debut feature 'American Girl' in 2021, presents her second feature, 'Happily Ever After.' The film explores the meaning of happiness through the contrasting lives of two sisters, Kitty and Claire. Kitty (played by Shuhua) is poised for a perfect mainstream life, enjoying her mother's love, while her older sister Claire (played by Jin Sun) struggles as a writer outside the mainstream.
Director Peng expressed her gratitude for attending the festival as a filmmaker rather than a tourist, stating, "In this film, I obsessively explored the word 'happiness.' I wanted to discuss that happiness is not just positive; it also encompasses fear, wandering, and contemplation in a multifaceted way."
Regarding her five-year hiatus since her debut, she explained, "During that time, I observed the lives of women in their 30s, including marriage and various preparations. They are all wonderful and intelligent, but they often struggle with significant life decisions. I wanted to deeply capture their dilemmas through diverse female portrayals."
The film has generated significant buzz as it marks Shuhua's first acting role. She shared, "It’s an honor to be part of such a major film festival with my first project. I feel more excitement than nervousness. On stage, I had to present myself energetically, but on screen, I had to convey subtle emotions and details, which made me think a lot about my performance."
The director expressed strong confidence in Shuhua, saying, "It wasn’t us choosing Shuhua; it was Shuhua choosing us. Her stage experience means she has spent a lot of time with the camera. Kitty is a character who struggles with decisions, and Shuhua's unique positive charm beautifully offsets that struggle."
Jin Sun, who plays Claire, shared her deep connection to the character, stating, "When I first read the script, I was moved to tears as Claire's family background and challenges resonated with my own experiences. I approached Shuhua without any preconceived notions of her idol persona, and through sharing our concerns and rehearsals, our relationship naturally deepened. I’m grateful to Shuhua for trusting me."
Chae Beom-hee, visiting Busan for the first time, expressed her joy, saying, "I love the sea, and I’m happy to see it from my accommodation. Meeting actors and directors I’ve only seen on screen at the opening ceremony was overwhelming and delightful."
Linhan Zhang, a producer who married the director after their previous collaboration on 'American Girl,' noted, "Our synergy has improved significantly with this second project, and under the director's guidance, the film's artistic vision has become clearer. As we present the film to audiences at the festival, it feels like taking a test, and I’m both nervous and excited."
The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs from October 6 to 15, showcasing a total of 316 films from 59 countries, including 69 community BIFF screenings. The opening film was 'Day and Night Are for Each Other' by director Kim Jong-kwan, and the closing film will feature award-winning works eligible for the 'Busan Award - Grand Prize' at the Academy Awards.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.