Lee Jung-Hyun & Director Reunite for ‘Petal
- JEONJU, South Korea – Actress Lee Jung-hyun, known for her roles in films like 'Petal' (1996), which garnered significant attention, and 'Alice in Earnestland' (2015), has ventured into...
- Lee, 45, was selected as a programmer for this yearS Jeonju International Film Festival.
- 'Flower Play' (2025) tells the story of Sumi, a middle-aged woman struggling with illness and financial instability.
Lee Jung-hyun Explores directing with Short Film ‘Flower Play’ at Jeonju Film Festival
JEONJU, South Korea – Actress Lee Jung-hyun, known for her roles in films like ‘Petal’ (1996), which garnered significant attention, and ‘Alice in Earnestland’ (2015), has ventured into directing with her short film, ‘Flower Play.’ The film is being showcased at the 26th Jeonju international film Festival,where Lee is serving as a programmer this year.
Lee Jung-hyun as Programmer and Director
Lee, 45, was selected as a programmer for this yearS Jeonju International Film Festival. As part of the ’J Special: Programmer of the Year’ section, the festival is screening six films chosen by Lee, alongside her own short film. Her selections include Park Chan-wook’s ‘Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance’ (2002), Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Nobody Knows’ (2004), and the Dardenne brothers’ ‘The Child’ (2005).
‘Flower Play’: A Story of Hope Amidst Hardship
‘Flower Play’ (2025) tells the story of Sumi, a middle-aged woman struggling with illness and financial instability. The film portrays Sumi’s desperate situation and her daughter’s unwavering belief that her mother will recover and be able to enjoy a flower festival.
Lee’s dual role as both actress and director allows for a nuanced portrayal of the characters, highlighting the delicate hope that persists even in dire circumstances.
From Actress to Aspiring Director
Speaking at a cafe in Jeonju, Lee expressed her passion for filmmaking. “Film is a beloved genre for me,” she said, adding, “I respect filmmakers.”
Lee enrolled in film graduate school three years ago to pursue her directing aspirations. “I was the youngest director on set,” she said, laughing, while also acknowledging the hard work of the entire crew.
Inspiration Behind ‘flower Play’
Lee revealed that the 2022 Changsin-dong hat incident served as a key inspiration for ‘Flower Play.’ “Incidents and accident news come to me poignantly,” she explained. “I cried a lot knowing the story of the hat.This incident is a matter for all of us, so I wrote a scenario with the hope that people would not forget this.”
Selecting Films with Social Commentary
When asked about her selections for the festival, Lee noted that all three films – ‘Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,’ ‘The Child,’ and ‘Nobody Knows’ – address social issues. She stated, “I also like hollywood commercial films, of course, but movies dealing with social issues touch me more deeply.As a person who lives in the same age, he feels a big pain. Even if the incident disappears in the heads of people, the film remains at any time. I think it would be nice to continue to be known to those who are looking for a movie.”
Crafting the Character of Sumi
Lee described Sumi as someone who “has lived like a bad man,” struggling to afford her mother’s medical treatment while facing financial hardship. Sumi’s unwavering faith and her desire to take her mother to a flower festival,even after being discharged from the hospital,highlight her resilience.
Lee also drew upon personal experience, as her own mother, who passed away three years ago, loved flower tours. “I continued to regret that I had to be treated,” she said.
Collaboration and Future Projects
Lee collaborated with various industry professionals on ‘Flower Play,’ including the B-Cam director from the Netflix series ‘Parasyte: The Gray’ (2024), a producer from ’Parasite’ for production advice, and composer Yoon Il-sang for the film’s music.
Looking ahead, Lee plans to cast her mother’s role in her next film through auditions. She aims to create a compelling story of a mother and daughter involved in a livelihood crime, despite time and budget constraints.
The Director’s Experience as an Actor
Lee believes her directing experience has enriched her acting. “As an actor, he is attempted to respect the director. If you have any other ideas other than the director’s direction, you will be quietly agreed and try not to touch the director’s area in the field. That is why I think the picture comes out. Though, through the experience of acting as an actor, he vowed that if the actors ask a question, they should be a directing to answer ten.”
Future Aspirations
Lee hopes to be an actor who can navigate both autonomous and commercial projects. She is eager to find compelling scenarios and explore historical dramas.
By Choi Hye-ri, Staff Reporter
Here’s a Q&A-style blog post crafted from the provided article content, optimized for SEO, user engagement, and E-E-A-T:
Lee Jung-hyun: From Acclaimed Actress to Aspiring Director – A Deep Dive
Welcome! This article explores the exciting new chapter in the career of South Korean actress Lee Jung-hyun, focusing on her directorial debut with the short film ‘Flower Play’ at the Jeonju International Film Festival. We’ll delve into the film’s themes, Lee’s inspirations, and her future ambitions.
Q: Who is Lee Jung-hyun?
A: Lee Jung-hyun is a highly respected South Korean actress known for her memorable roles in films like ‘Petal’ (1996) and ‘alice in Earnestland’ (2015). More recently, she has ventured into directing, making her debut with the short film ‘Flower Play.’ She’s also a prominent figure in Korean entertainment, having also made a name for herself in the music scene.
Q: What is ‘Flower Play’ about?
A: ‘flower Play’ (2025) centers on Sumi, a middle-aged woman battling illness and financial difficulties. The film explores her desperate situation and her daughter’s unwavering belief that Sumi will recover and eventually enjoy a flower festival. The story is said to be inspired by the 2022 Changsin-dong hat incident, highlighting a poignant real-world story.
Q: Where can I see ‘Flower Play’?
A: ‘Flower Play’ is currently being showcased at the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival. Information on future screenings or broader release is not explicitly mentioned in the original article, so keep an eye on festival updates and Lee Jung-hyun’s official channels for news.
Q: How did Lee Jung-hyun transition into directing?
A: Lee Jung-hyun’s journey into directing is fueled by her passion for filmmaking. she enrolled in film graduate school at Chung-Ang University approximately three years before the article’s publication to hone her skills and realize her directorial aspirations.
Q: What inspired Lee Jung-hyun to create ’Flower Play’?
A: The 2022 Changsin-dong hat incident served as the primary inspiration for ‘Flower Play.’ lee explained that this incident and its social impact deeply resonated with her.she was moved by the story and wanted to create a film that would help people remember it, as the incident involved the plight of individuals experiencing social hardship.
Q: What role does Lee Jung-hyun play in ’Flower Play’?
A: Lee Jung-hyun takes on a dual role in ‘Flower Play’—both as the film’s director and as Sumi, the main character. This allows her to bring a profound understanding of the character’s emotions and circumstances to the screen.
Q: What can you tell me about Lee Jung-hyun’s experience as both an actress and director?
A: Lee believes that her directing experience has enriched her acting capabilities. Having been a director previously, she says she understands how to work with the director as an actor. Additionally, if an actor asks her a question during acting, she’d be willing to go into depth to explain her directorial choices.
Q: Who did Lee jung-hyun collaborate with for ‘Flower Play’?
A: Lee enlisted the expertise of several industry professionals, including the B-Cam director from the Netflix series ‘Parasyte: The Gray’ (2024), a producer from ‘Parasite’ for production advice, and composer Yoon Il-sang for the film’s music.
Q: What other films did Lee Jung-hyun select for the Jeonju International Film festival?
A: As a programmer for the ‘J Special: Programmer of the Year’ section,Lee chose several films that address social issues. These include:
‘Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance’ (2002) – Directed by Park Chan-wook
‘Nobody Knows’ (2004) – Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
* ‘The child’ (2005) – Directed by the Dardenne brothers
Q: What are Lee Jung-hyun’s future plans?
A: Lee is gearing up for her next film, aiming to bring her mother’s role to life through auditions. She’s passionate about creating a compelling narrative about a mother and daughter entangled in a livelihood crime, navigating the challenges of budget and time constraints. She also hopes to work on both autonomous and commercial projects and has an interest in exploring historical dramas.
Q: Where can I find more information about Lee Jung-hyun and her work?
A: You can likely find more information on Lee Jung-hyun’s work, including updates on future projects, through official media outlets and fan pages online. Also, keep an eye on film news websites for upcoming project announcements.
Q: In what ways does ’Flower Play’ convey messages of hope amidst hardship?
A: ‘Flower Play’ conveys messages of hope through several means: Sumi’s unwavering faith, despite significant hardship, and her daughter’s belief in her recovery. The film shows Sumi’s determination to experience joy, as highlighted by her desire to attend a flower festival.