One of the late Lee Sun Kyun’s posthumous works will soon be released in the third quarter of 2024. The film, The Land of Happiness, is distributed by Next Entertainment World. This marks the first posthumous work of the late Lee Sun Kyun to be shown in South Korean cinemas.
In this film, Jo Jung Suk and Yoo Jae Myung also star, adding to the intrigue. The movie is based on the assassination of President Park Chung Hee in 1979. Here are four key facts about The Land of Happiness that you should know.
Directed by Choo Chang Min
Jo Jung Suk and director Choo Chang Min (doc. Next Entertainment World/The Land of Happiness)The Land of Happiness is directed by Choo Chang Min, a seasoned filmmaker with over 20 years in the industry. He made his debut with the short film The End of April in 2000 and has since directed several notable films, including Mapado (2005) and Seven Years of Night (2018). His most successful film to date is Masquerade (2012), starring Lee Byung Hun, Ryu Seung Ryong, and Han Hyo Joo. This film earned him the Best Director award at both the Grand Bell Awards and the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Based on a Historic Assassination
portrait of reading the script for the film The Land of Happiness (facebook.com/its.NEW.contents)The Land of Happiness is set in 1979 and revolves around the assassination of President Park Chung Hee. The film takes the perspective of a soldier who becomes a suspect in this historic case. The event on October 26, 1979, has been a significant topic in South Korean cinema, with films like The Man Standing Next (2020) and 12.12: The Day (2023) exploring related themes. The Land of Happiness promises to offer a unique take on this critical moment in history.
Star-Studded Cast
Yoo Jae Myung, Jo Jung Suk, and the late Lee Sun Kyun while reading the script for the film The Land of Happiness (facebook.com/its.NEW.contents)The film features an impressive cast, including Jo Jung Suk, the late Lee Sun Kyun, and Yoo Jae Myung. This is a notable posthumous work for Lee Sun Kyun, who passed away on December 27, 2023. In the film, he portrays Park Tae Joo, a soldier known for his honesty, who finds himself entangled in the presidential assassination case. Jo Jung Suk plays Jung In Ho, Park Tae Joo’s lawyer, who views court battles as a matter of victory or defeat rather than justice. Yoo Jae Myung takes on the role of Jang Sa Doo, another significant figure in the assassination incident.
The supporting cast includes Jin Ki Joo, Kang Mal Geum, Choi Won Young, Jeon Bae Soo, Song Yong Gue, Woo Hyun, Im Ki Hong, and Lee Won Jong. They are all seen in a portrait reading the film script, adding to the anticipation.
Filming Process and Release Schedule
The Land of Happiness movie poster (instagram.com/itsnew_movie)The filming of The Land of Happiness was completed in early 2022, with production starting on October 1, 2021, and wrapping up on January 29, 2022. Although the release was delayed, it is now scheduled to hit South Korean cinemas in August 2024. The exact release date has not yet been announced, and it is still unclear if the film will be shown in other countries cinemas. Fans will have to wait for further updates from the film’s distributor.
Stay tuned for more news about The Land of Happiness, and don’t miss the opportunity to watch this highly anticipated film.