Life Is Beautiful is Korea’s first jukebox musical film starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Yum Jung-ah, Ong Seong-wu, and Park Se-wan. A heartwarming film that will set hearts aflutter capturing the joys and sorrows of life, this film follows the story of a wife, Oh Se-yeon (Yum Jung-ah), who makes an absurd request to find her first love for her last birthday present, and her husband Kang Jin-bong (Ryu Seung-ryong), who reluctantly goes on the search down memory lane and travels around the country with her to find her love.
Jin-bong is an ordinary man with two children and Se-yeon is a sacrificial mother and wife to her family. Though dumbfounded by his wife’s absurd request, Jin-bong still agrees to honor her wish and goes on the journey together.
The musical film features popular hits that all Koreans know and enjoy from the 1970s to 2000s, such as Shin Jung-hyun’s ‘Beauty’, Lee Mun-se’s ‘Early Morning Discount’, ‘Unknown Life’, ‘Ode to Solos’, ‘Sadness’, Lee Seung-chul’s ‘Sleepless Night’, ‘Don’t Say Goodbye’, Eco Bridge & Choi Baek-ho’s ‘When I Go to Busan’, Lim Byung-soo’s ‘Ice Cream Love’, Lee Jeok’s ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’, ‘Fortunately’, Yoo Yeol’s ‘After Parting’, and Toy’s ‘Passionate Goodbye’.
Furthermore, the choreography, which actively reflects the emotions of the characters from the 1980s to the 1990s along the journey down memory lane for Jin-bong and Se-yeon, provides exciting spectacles that invigorates the play and makes viewers dance along.
Audiences can also look forward to the roles of young Se-yeon played by Park Se-wan, and Jung-woo, the first love of every girl’s dreams, played by Ong Seong-wu. Along with the ensemble of veteran actors Park Young-kyu, Kim Hye-ok, Ko Chang-seok, and Yeom Hye-ran, this film is definitely one not to be missed.
Movie Synopsis:
Se-yeon (Yum Jung Ah), who has devoted her entire life to her family as a mother and wife, suddenly learns she is gravely ill. Now determined to live for herself more than ever, Se-yeon leaves in search of her ‘first love’ from her high school. Though unhappy with his wife’s decision, Se-yeon’s stern husband, Jin-bong (Ryu Seung-ryong), goes along on her search to honor her earnest wishes. Through their journey together, they are reminded of the most glittering, beautiful moments of their lives.
Title: Life Is Beautiful
Genre: Musical
Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Yum Jung-ah, Ong Seong-wu, Park Se-wan
Directed by: Choi Kook-hee
Singapore Release Date: 3 November 2022
Runtime: 122 minutes
Language: Korean (with English & Chinese subtitles)
(Movie Stills: Purple Plan)
