The upcoming film Once upon a time it was usreleasing December 31, it follows the decade-long relationship between Eun-ho (Koo Kyo-hwan) and Jung-won (Moon Ga-young) as they navigate love in their 20s and 30s.
During a press preview held on December 18 at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, the actors and director Kim Do-young shared insights into the film’s unique narrative approach. The film uses color to represent the past and black and white for the present, emphasizing the passage of time and the emotional contrasts between the two periods, a technique also used in the original Taiwanese film. Far, so close.
Luna Ga-young: Focused on portraying every moment authentically, highlighting her skill in subtle romantic acting.
Koo Kyo-hwan: Returned to traditional romance after mainly starring in genre and bromance films. He noted that the emotional buildup made their on-screen reunion genuine, saying: “Revisiting the story step by step made the reunion moment really feel like ‘us after 10 years’.”
Director Kim Do-young, with a background in theater, provided nuanced guidance, giving different directions to each actor to capture the uncertainty and complexity of true love. Koo Kyo-hwan commented, “Inside the frame it’s a love story with Ga-young, but outside the frame it’s a love story with the director,” praising Kim Do-young’s meticulous direction.
Moon Ga-young said that even when the script simply instructed her to “cry,” she often felt emotionally overwhelmed, reflecting the deep emotional authenticity the film sought.
Director Kim Do-young described the film as “a love story that ends well” inviting viewers to reflect on their own past relationships. Moon Ga-young added, “I hope it gives people time to think about unfinished connections or relationships.”
