Radio Star (film)

Radio Star (Korean: 라디오 스타; RR: Ra-di-o Seu-ta) is a 2006 South Korean comedy-drama film directed by Lee Joon-ik, starring Park Joong-hoon and Ahn Sung-ki in a story about an aging, has-been rock star who, plagued by debt and run-ins with the law, unwillingly begins working as the DJ of a small radio show in the countryside, with his loyal manager of 20 years in tow.[1][2]

Radio Star
Theatrical poster
Directed byLee Joon-ik
Produced byJung Seung-hye
Lee Joon-ik
Written byChoi Seok-hwan
StarringPark Joong-hoon
Ahn Sung-ki
Music byBang Jun-seok
CinematographyNa Seung-yong
Edited byKim Sang-bum
Kim Jae-bum
Distributed byCinema Service
Release date
  • September 28, 2006 (2006-09-28)
Running time
115 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
BudgetUS$3 million
Box officeUS$12.5 million

Plot

Choi Gon had a big hit in 1988 with his song "The Rain and You" and became one of the top stars of the 1980s, but did not handle the fame very well, acquiring bad habits and quickly spending most of his money. In 2006, now past his prime, leather-jacket-and-jeans-wearing Gon resents that the spotlight has moved on to younger entertainers, but he still lives the life of a rock star, getting into drunk driving incidents and drug scandals. The only thing Gon has left is his longtime manager and friend, Park Min-soo, who has stood by him since the peak of his career. Min-soo still manages to find Gon small gigs in little coffee shops on the outskirts of Seoul and continues to look after him and keep him out of trouble, even if that means neglecting his own family.

One day Gon gets in a fight with a customer at a cafe and ends up in jail. Because of Gon's prior record, the bail is set so high that the desperate Min-soo sees no way to deal with it on his own, so he goes to a major radio station to call in old favors. The only thing he turns up is a job as a DJ at a local radio station in a small provincial town in the remote mountainous county of Yeongwol.[3] The radio station itself is on its last legs and is close to shutting down.

Arriving in Yeongwol, nothing seems to suit Gon, despite all the efforts Min-soo makes to make his life there as comfortable as possible. Gon pretty much sabotages everything by being pessimistic and negative—even when he is on the air. But to everyone's surprise, his daily show Choi Gon's Midday Songs of Hope becomes a big hit in the small town, as he allows the locals to tell their own eccentric stories. Also, hard rock music, which was initially foreign to the townspeople, becomes the bridge between them and Gon. When his newfound fan club begins to put the recordings of his show on the internet, soon the big bosses in Seoul become aware of Gon's fame and want him to make a comeback—but without his manager.[4][5]

Cast
  • Park Joong-hoon as Choi Gon
  • Ahn Sung-ki as Park Min-soo
  • Choi Jung-yoon as Kang Seok-young[6]
  • Jung Gyu-soo as Bureau chief
  • Jung Seok-yong as Sound engineer Park
  • Yoon Joo-sang as Director Kim
  • No Brain (Lee Seong-woo, Hwang Hyeon-seong, Jeong Jae-hwan, Jeong Min-joon) as members of fictional rock band East River
  • Ahn Mi-na (credited as Han Yeo-woon) as Ms. Kim
  • Lee Il-seop
  • Kim Kwang-sik as Mr. Jang
  • Jo Ryeon
  • Kang San as Ho-young
  • Kim Tan-hyeon as company president Choi
  • Son Young-soon as Ho-young's grandmother
  • Kim Ji-heon as Ms. Park
  • Bae Jang-su
  • Kim Hyun-ah as middle-aged woman in Misari
  • Lee Jae-gu as head of Wonju Bureau
  • Lee Joon-ik as Chinese restaurant cook
  • Kang Gwang-won
  • Kim Dae-ho
  • Choi Cheong-ja
  • Hwang In-joon
  • Lee Sun-geum
  • Oh Seo-won as nurse
  • Kim Kyeong-ae as owner of Cheongrok Dabang coffee shop
  • Go Seok-dong
  • Won Woo
  • Shin Young-jae
  • Kim Jang-hoon
  • Im Baek-chun as principal
  • Lee Yeong-seok
  • Shin Jung-geun as Misari president Nam
  • Jeon Ki-kwang
  • Jo Kyung-hoon as man with tough face
  • Jeon Dae-byeong

Production

After making Korean cinematic history with his record-breaking hit period film King and the Clown (2005), director Lee Joon-ik wanted his follow-up to be a smaller-scaled, character-driven film. Like King and the Clown, Lee wanted his next film to also be about the lives of outsiders, saying, "I think the tragedy of capitalist society is that so many people endlessly struggle to become part of the mainstream. I want to keep showing that those outside the mainstream of society can also be happy."[7] Screenwriter Choi Seok-hwan brought him a script he had been working on for years; Choi had collaborated with Lee on his previous films King and the Clown and Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield (2003). An early draft revolved around the character of a young, female manager, but Achim Pictures president Jung Seung-hye pointed Lee in a different narrative direction, and the film became a bittersweet dramedy about two older men.[8]

Actor Park Joong-hoon (who once experienced the life of a KBS 2FM DJ in the 1990s) was cast first, and for the role opposite him, Park suggested his real-life longtime friend Ahn Sung-ki, with whom he had starred in three previous films, namely, Chilsu and Mansu (1988), Two Cops (1993) and Nowhere to Hide (1999).[8] Ahn said, "If we did not sustain our 20-year friendship, we could not have done justice to the touching scenes in Radio Star. The film has a cunning resemblance to our ordinary life, and (while we were acting), we felt it firsthand."[9] Park said the project appealed to him because the film industry rarely focused on characters in their forties and fifties (his and Ahn's age), and that as an actor for 21 years, he had had a similar career trajectory to Gon's, "Because we went through similar things in the same period, then it's an analogy that works perfectly. I mean, I've had plenty of ups and downs in my career: repeating the same comedies over and over brought me to a slump, I had to bridge the gap after coming back from the US, I had a little redemption... many things happened over the years." Park added that his friendship with Ahn "has gained depth, we're much more comfortable working together. We've known each other for 20 years, and Choi Gon and Park Min-soo in the film have been together for 20 years. The situation is a little different, but the fundamental relationship between us and the two characters is very similar. Sometimes we feel as if we're shooting a documentary, in a way. But hey, we're happy."[8]

Members of real-life punk rock band No Brain appeared in supporting roles as a fictional band who helps the character Gon find enthusiasm for rock music again. They also contributed their songs to the soundtrack, which is a mix of old pop classics and modern rock.[10][11]

Radio Star was a co-production between Achim Pictures and Lee's own production shingle Cineworld, was distributed locally by Cinema Service and sold internationally by co-investor CJ Entertainment. It was filmed on location in Yeongwol County, a remote area in the mountainous Gangwon Province. After three months of shooting, the film wrapped on July 8, 2006.[12]

When asked about the film's themes, Lee said, "Before the advent of television, most people including myself learned a lot about life through radio. But these days we depend on visual media. If visual media is regarded as a channel for spreading fully constructed images, then the radio can be seen as one that encourages people to use their imagination. Success does not necessarily mean happiness, nor does failure mean unhappiness. Through this film, people will realize that there's more to life than winning or losing. What's important is that you live a happy life."[13]

Reception

Radio Star was released in theaters on September 28, 2006, during the Chuseok holidays.[14][15] Despite high expectations and positive reviews from critics, the film made a disappointing debut, drawing 150,684 viewers on its opening weekend. But it earned average ratings of 9.22 out of 10 in a poll of 7,749 netizens by the portal site Naver, and ticket sales surged exponentially over the following weeks, with strong word of mouth ultimately making the movie a success.[16][17][18] It drew a total of 1,879,501 admissions,[19][20] and grossed a decent US$12.5 million .[21]

According to film critic Lee Sang-yong, part of the film's appeal was due to nostalgia, saying, "Radio Star attracted a big audience among middle-aged people who miss the songs of their times."[22][23]

Park Joong-hoon and Ahn Sung-ki tied for Best Actor at the 2006 Blue Dragon Film Awards,[24] and Ahn also won Best Actor at the 2006 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and the 2007 Grand Bell Awards.[25] Music director Bang Jun-seok received several nominations for his work on this film, winning Best Music at the 2006 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and the 2007 Korean Film Awards.

Original soundtrack
  1. 비와 당신 (The Rain and You) - Park Joong-hoon[26]
  1. 속앓이
  2. 영월 가는 길
  3. 배려
  4. 오래된 방송국
  5. 청소
  6. 비와 당신 Movie Ver. (The Rain and You) - No Brain
  7. 전단지
  8. 영월의 밤
  9. 시그널
  10. 크게 라디오를 켜고 (Turn Up the Volume) - Sinawe
  11. 오래된 친구
  12. 미인 (Beautiful Woman) - Shin Jung-hyeon
  13. 김양의 사연
  14. 빗속의 여인 (Woman in the Rain) - Kim Choo-ja
  15. 다방의 밤
  16. 전화속 사연들
  17. 넌 내게 반했어 Movie Ver. (You've Fallen for Me) - No Brain
  18. 술오른 밤길
  19. 기찻길에서 만난 동강
  20. 아름다운 강산 (Beautiful Rivers and Mountains) - No Brain
  21. 김밥집
  22. 지하철김밥
  23. 지울수 없는 너 (You Cannot Be Erased) - U&Me Blue
  24. 빛을 받는 별
  25. 미안함
  26. 그대발길 머무는 곳에 (Wherever You Stay) - Cho Yong-pil
  27. 우산속의 우정
  28. 비와 당신 Acoustic Ver. (The Rain and You) - Park Joong-hoon
  29. 넌 내게 반했어 Original Ver. (You've Fallen for Me) - No Brain

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2006
14th Chunsa Film Art Awards
Special Jury PrizePark Joong-hoonWon
27th Blue Dragon Film Awards[24]
Best FilmRadio StarNominated
Best ActorAhn Sung-kiWon
Park Joong-hoonWon
Best New ActressChoi Jung-yoonNominated
Best MusicBang Jun-seokNominated
Best Couple AwardPark Joong-hoon and Ahn Sung-kiNominated
26th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards
 Best ActorAhn Sung-kiWon
Best MusicBang Jun-seokWon
7th Women in Film Korea Awards[27][28]
Woman Filmmaker of the YearJung Seung-hyeWon
2007
4th Max Movie Awards[17]
Best FilmRadio StarWon
43rd Baeksang Arts Awards[29]
Best FilmRadio StarNominated
Best New ActressChoi Jung-yoonNominated
44th Grand Bell Awards[25][30]
Best FilmRadio StarNominated
Best ActorAhn Sung-kiWon
Best MusicBang Jun-seokNominated
10th Shanghai International Film Festival[31]
Radio StarJin Jue for Best FilmNominated
6th Korean Film Awards[29]
Best MusicBang Jun-seokWon

Musical theatre adaptation

In 2008, the film was adapted into a stage musical. The original run starred Jung Sung-hwa and Seo Beom-seok in the role of Park Min-soo, and Kim Da-hyun as Choi Gon, and was held at the Seoul Arts Center from January 26 to March 2, 2008.[32][33]

Praised for its "refined" stage design, "appealing" music and a "well-developed plot that elicited laughter and tears from the audience," Radio Star won Best Musical at the 2009 Daegu Musical Awards, a ceremony that marked the end of the Daegu International Musical Festival. Seo Beom-seok also received the Best Actor award.[34]

Jeong Jun-ha, Im Chang-jung and Kim Won-jun have also starred in later runs.[35]

References
  1. Yi, Chang-ho (21 September 2006). "LEE Joon-ik proceeds with Radio Star". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  2. "Video Can't Kill This Radio Star". The Chosun Ilbo. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  3. Park, Soo-mee (24 January 2007). "Radio star reincarnated by empathy". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  4. Yi, Chang-ho (4 October 2006). "Boys Will Be Boys, Friends Will Be Friends". The Korea Times via Hancinema. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  5. "Healing Movies". The Dong-a Ilbo. 30 December 2006. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  6. Lee, Ji-won (11 August 2009). "Ye, Choi Join in Kids' Movie Camp as Teacher". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  7. Park, Chung-a (5 March 2006). "Showing Outsiders' Attempts at Freedom". The Korea Times via Hancinema. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  8. "2006 K-FILM PREVIEWS: Lee Joon-Ik's 라디오 스타 (Radio Star)". Twitch Film. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  9. "Ahn Seong-gi and Park Joong-Hoon: happy when working together". KoreaContent.org via Hancinema. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  10. Jung, Hyun-mok; Kang, Jun-gyu (1 August 2007). "Crying Nut and No Brain keep rocking". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  11. "Band No Brain". The Dong-a Ilbo. 20 September 2007. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  12. Paquet, Darcy (14 July 2006). "Lee Joon-ik's Radio Star wraps up shooting". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  13. Son, Hee-kyung (25 September 2006). "Director Lee Jun-ik's New Film Radio Star". Arirang News. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  14. "Spoilt for Movie Choice During Long Chuseok Break". The Chosun Ilbo. 25 September 2006. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  15. Kim, Tae-jong (4 October 2006). "Movies for Long Chusok Holiday". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  16. "How to Spot the Real Crowd-Pleaser Movies". The Chosun Ilbo via Hancinema. 6 February 2007. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  17. Paquet, Darcy (29 January 2007). "Korean netizens choose Radio Star". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  18. Maletzki, Mirja (19 February 2007). "Radio Star Tries to Live up to Past". OhmyNews International. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  19. "Commercial Releases in 2006 - Box-Office Admission Results". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  20. "Music Occupies Chungmuro Productions". KBS Global. 7 March 2007. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  21. Paquet, Darcy (26 November 2006). "Distrib execs resign over B.O. losers". Variety. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  22. Jung, Hyun-mok (6 February 2007). "Movies revive the dead radio stars". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  23. Esperjesi, John (24 May 2007). "Korean Cinema and the FTA". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  24. D'Sa, Nigel (21 December 2006). "BONG's Host Takes Top Prize at Blue Dragon". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  25. D'Sa, Nigel (13 June 2007). "Family Ties Wins Top Prize at Home". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  26. "Music Saved the Radio Star". YesAsia. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  27. Park, Soo-mee (25 December 2006). "Women's film awards suggest that Korean cinema is changing". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  28. D'Sa, Nigel (3 January 2007). "Top Women Filmmakers of 2006 Awarded". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  29. "Radio Star - Awards". Cinemasie. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  30. D'Sa, Nigel (7 June 2007). "44th Grand Bell Award Nominations". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  31. Yi, Chang-ho (30 May 2007). "Shanghai Selects Radio Star for Its Competition". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  32. Chung, Ah-young (14 January 2008). "Marriage of Movies, Musicals in 2008". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  33. http://www.mradiostar.com
  34. Garcia, Cathy Rose A. (7 July 2009). "Radio Star Named Best Musical". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  35. Ko, Young-aah (15 November 2008). "Movicals buck slump in theaters". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
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