[Event Report] Jang Dong Gun and Director Heo Jin-ho appear on stage to greet audiences at the upcoming film ”A Happy Family,” which will be released in Japan in January 2025.

The latest film by director Heo Jin-ho, known for "Christmas in August" and "Dangerous Liaisons," "A Happy Family" will be released on January 17, 2025.
Ahead of the film's nationwide release on Friday, Jang Dong Gun and director Heo Jin-ho will be appearing on stage.
The Japan premiere and stage greeting took place today, November 20th (Wednesday) at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills in Tokyo. Q. Today is the Japan premiere. How do you feel?
Jang Dong Gun: The film was first released in Toronto last year. I remember being relieved by the positive response. I think people overseas have been able to relate to even the smallest details of the film.
I'm relieved that people in Japan have been able to enjoy it. I'm excited to see how people in Japan will view this film. Director Ho Jin-ho: I saw this film for the first time at the Toronto Film Festival.
This film has been invited to the most film festivals of any of my works to date. I'm glad that the reaction overseas has been better than I expected. Finally, in Japan,
It will be released. I look forward to the reaction of the Japanese people. Q. How was it working together again after such a long time? Director Heo Jin-ho: It's been five or six years since "Dangerous Liaisons" for me, at the longest.
I thought it had been about 8 years, but it's actually been 12 years. The set was a lot of fun. I talked about a lot of things with Jang Dong Gun, and the character Jaegyu
Jang Dong Gun: I first saw "Christmas in August" and I thought I really wanted to work with him.
I had been working with him on "Dangerous Liaisons." It was difficult to adapt at first, but it was an interesting set to work on. The director guided us.
He lets us relax, listens to the actors, understands them, and is a reliable director for us. Actually, before "Dangerous Liaisons," about 15 years ago, I did a film at the Tokyo Dome...
I know it's a little strange to mention this title in just a minute, but he directed the video for an event called "The Four Heavenly Kings of Korean Wave." This marks the third collaboration between the two.
When I first got the offer, I thought the scenario was very interesting. I've often played unrealistic characters up until now, such as assassins and zombies, but this was a realistic role.
I thought that was interesting, and I thought that it would be a good film directed by Heo Jin-ho. Q. Why did you decide to make this into a film?
Director Ho Jin-ho: This is based on a novel, and this is already the fourth time it has been adapted into a film.
I was a little hesitant to read it because the previous films were so good. However, as I re-read it, I realized that it was different from the works I had made up until now.
I thought I could put what I have learned into the piece. I decided to take on the project because I thought it would be a challenge for me to look deeply into social issues in Korea.
Q. Regarding the change in the brothers' professions from the original work Director Heo Jin-ho: I made them a doctor and a lawyer because I thought that this would be more relatable to the Korean people.
First of all, doctors are a profession that children aspire to. It is a profession that everyone respects, so much so that there are doctor courses from kindergarten, and lawyers are also respected in Korea.
Q. How do you feel about playing this role? Jang Dong Gun: When I first read this story, one of the reasons I was drawn to Jaegyu was because he seemed like someone who could exist in real life.
It's a character that really has legs. He's a moral character, he values principles, he seems like a really good person. But behind that character lies a hidden true nature, and I think the film will show that.
I thought I could show him in a more three-dimensional way. It was interesting to be able to reveal his weaknesses little by little while talking with the director.
Q.Finally, please give a message to the people of Japan.
Director Heo Jin-ho: This film will be released in Japan on January 17, 2025.
If you enjoyed the movie, please promote it to the people around you! Jang Dong Gun: It has already been released in Korea, and I have been doing stage greetings in various places in Korea.
I visited a theater in Tokyo. On the wall of one of the theaters, there was a sign that said, "A film that asks questions begins after you've seen it." I thought this film was one that made me think a lot after I'd finished watching it.
I think so. Please try to think about it in various ways. I think it will be a time to think about something meaningful. In any case, please enjoy it, and please recommend it.
"A Happy Family" ■ Director: Heo Jin-ho ■ Cast: Sol Kyung Gu, Jang Dong Gun, Kim Heui Ae, Claudia Kim 2024 / South Korea / 109
20 minutes/Cinemascope size/5.1ch/Subtitle translation: Tomoko Fukudome Original title: Ordinary Family/English title: A NORMAL FAMILY/PG12 ■Provided by: KDDI
■Distribution: Nikkatsu/KDDI ©2024 HIVE MEDIA CORP & MINDMARK ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ■Official
HP:michitaritakazoku.jp ■Official X:@michitaritaeiga Nationwide release from Friday, January 17, 2025