Exclusive: CEO Lee So-young, "Yeri Han's OST in 'MINARI' is the Most Moving" (Interview ②)
2021.03.11
OSEN 2021.03.11 글 선미경 기자 /사진 사람엔터테인먼트, 판씨네마 제공
(Continuing from Interview ①) “It felt like actress Yeri Han expanded the emotional depth of the film with her voice, and she proved it.”
CEO Soyoung Lee of Saram Entertainment, the agency representing actress Han Ye-ri, was deeply passionate about the production of the film "MINARI" (directed by Lee Isaac Chung). She showed the script to Yeri Han and suggested a meeting with the director, driven by her desire to see the film come to fruition. Captivated by the charm of "MINARI" and curious about how Korean emotions would be portrayed in an American film, she actively supported the project. It’s fair to say she was part of "MINARI" from the beginning.
The accolades pouring in for "MINARI" are particularly meaningful for CEO Lee. She cherishes these moments alongside Yeri, reflecting on the journey they started together and finding significance in the film’s success.
In an interview with OSEN on the 10th, CEO Lee expressed her special affection for "MINARI." She fondly recalled every precious moment, from Yeri Han’s first meeting with director Lee Isaac Chung to the Sundance Film Festival.
CEO Lee highlighted the first meeting between Yeri Han and the director as a memorable and significant moment. “I remember their first meeting vividly. It was at a pasta restaurant near our office. It was an important moment. I was confident Yeri would take the role. She had a deep understanding of the script and a strong ability to empathize with people, so I was sure she would take it,” she said. After the meeting, Yeri decided to join the cast, and CEO Lee supported this decision by adjusting her drama filming schedule. It was a meaningful project, and there was a sense of responsibility regarding Yeri’s participation. The strong desire and determination to make it happen made it possible.
“I was reviewing the schedule adjustments,” CEO Lee revealed. “Yeri was in the middle of shooting a drama, so it was crucial to seek understanding from the director and production team of the drama. We faced a lot of pressure to make it work, and there were moments when our determination wavered. But we believed in the importance of this film and asked for their trust, knowing we could prove why we were so eager to do this once the film was made. The process of persuading them was driven by confidence. Even if the outcome had not been favorable, I needed the willpower to bear the responsibility and burden.”
She added, “Every day involved careful consideration and making crucial decisions. If I hadn’t had a strong personal desire, we might have dropped the project. Those decisions are always part of the project process.”
Among the moments she had with Minari, Lee cited her meeting with director Jung Isaac and events at the Sundance Film Festival as her memories. It was a great moment to wrap up with Team MINARI.
CEO Lee So-young said, "I also remember the moment I was contacted by my team members that this movie was submitted to the Sundance Film Festival. I thought about whether I could go to a film festival in the U.S. while doing movies and dramas in Korea, but this movie made it happen. When I went to the Sundance Film Festival, I was happy with the actors. After everything was over, the distributor gave me a party, and the whole family enjoyed the party even with my child. I also remember inviting the 'MINARI' team to eat at the pension accommodation I was staying at, and I think we ended well at the Sundance Film Festival with the disappointment of not being able to do production even though we started with 'MINARI' together."
"Minari," which will remain as meaningful as the moment it was good, and has emerged as a strong candidate for the 2021 Academy Awards, were also nominated for the Best Original Song Award with their OST "Rain Song" sung by Yeri. Lee So-young was also consoled and moved by Yeri's voice.
CEO Soyoung Lee said, "What touched my heart right now is a praise for the music. I think the music director is so amazing. I was a young person and I was amazed to see how he made such music. When Yeri was in a one-act play, she sang and recorded OST, and I experienced a very comforting experience. I thought I would get a lot of comfort if I sang the movie OST one day, but the moment I was praised that the song was good because it was based on acting, I thought, 'The actor's expression has expanded.' Han Yeri also acted in both dance and acting, and she expanded her acting sensibility with her voice. I thought, 'You proved that'."
CEO Lee So-young added, "Han Yeri's OST is the most touching. I think it's great to expand it and express it in various ways. I think it was possible because I approached the work with sincerity."
"Minari" is a wonderful story that the world waited for in 2021, featuring a very special journey of a Korean family who left for an unfamiliar U.S. in search of hope.
(인터뷰③에 이어집니다.) /OSEN 선미경 기자 [email protected]