Film ‘Hanrin’

The film ‘Hanran’, starring Kim Hyang-gi, is earning enthusiastic responses from local audiences as it opens in Japan.

Set against Jeju 4·3, the film ‘Hanran’ opened in Japan to coincide with the April 3 Memorial Day, and as it sustains intense momentum, interest in lead actor Kim Hyang-gi is also rising.

From the first day, theaters in Tokyo and Osaka recorded sellouts, and local media have been reporting the screenings one after another, proving strong buzz. Word has it that local audiences are offering favorable reviews, deeply resonating with the emotions and message the work conveys.

Released domestically last November, ‘Hanran’ left a lasting resonance through the story of a mother and daughter separated in 1948 during Jeju 4·3. After its release, it ranked first at the box office among independent and art films during the same period and achieved meaningful results, including invitations to numerous overseas film festivals.

Film ‘Hanrin’

Amid this momentum, the Japanese release carries added significance as an official rollout overseas. Upon hearing the news of the release in Japan, Kim Hyang-gi said, “Thank you for taking an interest in an important part of Korea’s history. I hope good works from Japan and good works from Korea interact well and can have a positive influence on one another.”

As the lead of ‘Hanran’, Kim Hyang-gi delivered a delicate emotional performance as the central figure guiding the motherdaughter narrative. Taking on her first role as a mother, she portrayed the character with layered complexity and firmly anchored the film’s tone, while, even within restraint, convincingly conveying the character’s pain and hope to draw audiences in. Building on the domestic reception, Kim Hyang-gi is likewise adding deep resonance in Japan by fully conveying the film’s message.

Through numerous projects, Kim Hyang-gi has won the support of global viewers. ‘Hanran’ likewise elicits empathy that transcends language, era, and borders, once again proving her acting prowess. Thanks to Kim Hyang-gi’s performance, the film ‘Hanran’ plans to meet audiences in more than 20 cities across Japan over the next year.

On the 17th, in the Coupang Play series ‘Absolute Value of Romance’, Kim Hyang-gi will once again present a different kind of charm as ‘Yeo Eui-ju’, a role that shifts between an ordinary high school girl and a popular romance novelist.

Film ‘Hanrin’