Video Can't Kill This Radio Star

Sept 26, 2006

A poster for "Radio Star"
One of Korea’s most successful directors is about to release his latest work. Director Lee Jun-ik of "The King and the Clown" fame is back with "Radio Star," a movie about a medium that helped shape the director’s own life. This new production follows just nine months after "The King and the Clown" broke domestic box office records. The film is released on Thursday.

In contrast to his previous production, a story on royal life in the Chosun Dynasty of the 1500s, this time around the director has delivered a human comedy set in the 1980s. "Radio Star" has filmgoers curious to see if he can pull off another mega-hit, after "The King and the Clown" reeled in more than 12 million movie fans across Korea. Already expectations over his latest flick are high, given the casting of several big-name actors.

"Before the advent of television, most people including myself learned a lot about life through radio. But these days we depend on visual media. If visual media is regarded as a channel for spreading fully constructed images, then the radio can be seen as one that encourages people to use their imagination," Lee said.

A scene from "Radio Star"

"Radio Star" delves into the relationship between a rock star and his manager who have been close buddies for 20 years. Set in a small town in Korea’s mountainous province of Gangwon, "Radio Star" portrays the exhaustion of city dwellers after failing to satisfy their desires. The film shows that it’s not easy staying a star in the music industry for long, but that life isn’t over when you’re no longer in the spotlight.

"Success does not necessarily mean happiness, nor does failure mean unhappiness. Through this film, people will realize that there’s more to life than winning or losing. What’s important is that you live a happy life," Lee said.

Now generating some added buzz before the film’s release is a photo exhibition tied to "Radio Star" at the gallery The Orange in Myeongdong, Seoul. Visitors have an opportunity to see the beautiful sets and making of the film. Director Lee Jun-ik says he wanted to share the beauty of nature that he saw while making the film.

The director says he tried to show how people can find satisfaction in a peaceful environment closer to nature.

Arirang News

Source: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200609/200609260033.html