“I had no idea I would get so much attention in Italy. It makes me think I should come here more often.”
Actor Gong Yoo greeted the audience with a slightly surprised expression, seemingly overwhelmed by the completely full audience and not a single empty seat.
The moment your comment is about “coming more often” was translated, the audience broke into loud applause and applause “Bravo!”
Jang Eun-young, co-executive director of the festival, said: “This is the 24th year of the Florence Korea Film Festival and we have never seen such popularity before. It’s honestly overwhelming.”
Gong Yoo’s masterclass event held at Teatro La Compagnia in Florence, Italy on March 21 (local time) sold out within just three minutes of ticket sales opening. His movie Train to Busanwhich gained strong word of mouth locally, sold out even before the festival began.
Fans began lining up outside the theater as early as 6:30 a.m. on the day of the event, hoping to secure a front-row view.
Those who received single-digit tail numbers showed them off proudly, visibly excited. Among the fans were many middle-aged women with graying hair.
Imane Seradouni, a self-proclaimed Korean film enthusiast, said: “In the past one or two years, the popularity of Korean content has grown significantly. I have seen many middle-aged women studying Korean after watching drama Guardian: the solitary and great God.”
Fans who couldn’t secure tickets also lingered at the venue, hoping for a chance encounter with Gong Yoo. Some had even come from the United States and France specifically for the event.
Aza Kawalska of New Jersey said: “I couldn’t find the ticket, so I’m waiting here. I’ve seen many of Gong Yoo’s works, including Prince of coffee, Guardian: the solitary and great GodAND Silenced.”
Some fans arrived with personally prepared gifts. One fan held up a large handmade banner filled with photos of Gong Yoo, while another held a sign written in Korean that read: “I love you.”
Among Gong Yoo’s works, Prince of coffee, Guardian: the solitary and great GodAND Train to Busan aroused particularly strong interest from the public.
During the event, Gong Yoo actively engaged with fans, asking questions such as: “Done Prince of coffeeaired 20 years ago, does it seem emotionally obsolete to you?” AND “You liked it Guardian: the solitary and great God?” The audience responded enthusiastically in Italian, saying they loved them.
He also spoke in detail about the themes and production processes behind the works that reflect Korean society, including Silenced, Kim Ji-young: born 1982AND Squid gamereceiving warm applause and support from the audience. The conversation session continued for over an hour.
The city of Florence presented Gong Yoo with a cultural contribution award in appreciation for his participation.
Now in its 24th year, the Florence Korea Film Festival is considered a pioneer of global Korean film festivals, inspiring similar events in cities such as Paris, London and Toronto. Unlike many government-run events, it is a privately organized festival. Over the years it has presented more than 2,000 Korean films and welcomed over 100 directors to Florence.
Sources: Daum
