“'Virus' is a bright and cheerful film filled with kindness and overflowing with love, and it carries a message worth thinking about. I can proudly say that. It's a movie that makes you feel good as you leave the theater, so I hope it receives a lot of attention.” (Bae Doona)
The film 'Virus', which conveys a soft love rather than a disaster, has finally seen the light after five years, overcoming the long and dark era of the pandemic. Will 'Virus', resembling love, be able to dominate the screens in May?
On the 16th, a production report conference for the movie 'Virus' was held at Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. Attending the event were director Kang Yi-kwan, Bae Doona, Kim Yoon-seok, and Jang Ki-ha.
The film 'Virus' began its first shoot in the summer of 2019 and completed filming in October the following year, but it faced difficulties in release due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the release was delayed, there were even rumors that 'Virus' would give up on a theatrical release and prepare for OTT. However, it has finally seen the light after five years since the pandemic ended.
In this regard, director Kang Yi-kwan said, “The subject was a virus. Considering the significant impact of COVID-19 worldwide and thinking of those who suffered, there were discussions that it might be premature to release it quickly.” He expressed his joy, saying, “There were many ups and downs, but I’m glad it’s being released. I hope the shining performances of the actors and the passion and hard work of the staff convey a positive message to everyone.”
Based on the novel 'Youth Extreme Period' by writer Lee Ji-min, the film 'Virus' has created a grounded story based on the 'Love Virus' from the original work, which showcases brilliant imagination. Director Kang Yi-kwan, who delved into virus research for the project, confessed, “I conducted research to ensure the virus made scientific sense, and I learned about 'Toxoplasma gondii', a parasite that affects the brain. Based on this, I constructed the imaginary Toxoplasma virus.”
The 'Toxoplasma virus' is a differentiating point from other 'virus-themed movies'. Although the title is 'Virus', it breaks away from the framework of disaster films based on existing viruses and transforms into a drama genre that presents a delightful topic to the audience. In this regard, Bae Doona added, “If you get infected with the virus in the film, you feel good for no reason, and a negative person becomes positive. You feel good and full of energy, able to dance all night long. You fall in love with someone you like.”
'Virus' depicts the unexpected journey of 'Taek-seon' (played by Bae Doona), who is infected with the 100% fatal Toxoplasma virus that makes people fall in love for no reason, along with three men: 'Soo-pil' (played by Son Seok-koo), a single researcher, 'Yeon-woo' (played by Jang Ki-ha), a long-time classmate, and 'Yi-kyun' (played by Kim Yoon-seok), the only expert who can create a cure.
Director Kang Yi-kwan explained the unique names of the characters, saying, “The names 'Taek-seon', 'Yeon-woo', 'Soo-pil', and 'Yi-kyun' all carry significant meanings related to the work. Taek-seon spelled backward is 'seon-taek', which means choice. It signifies the transformation of the passive Taek-seon into an emotional and active character due to the virus. Yeon-woo is set up as a character who gets involved in the incident by Taek-seon's choice, and Soo-pil is the first infected person and the starting point, hence the name.”
Bae Doona plays 'Taek-seon', a translator who is in a depressed mode and on the verge of losing her romantic cells. After being infected with the 'Toxoplasma virus', she transforms into a lovable 'golden love at first sight' character, perfectly embodying the 180-degree changed persona and creating a vibrant synergy with the three men, leading the film.
Regarding Taek-seon, Bae Doona said, “She is a positive and lovable character. Even a stone-like person can be moved by her charm. I thought it would be nice to have such a virus because when a person becomes positive, they lose their inferiority complex, feel good, and brighten the world. Even in scenes where she is chased and cornered, the bright energy that Taek-seon exudes is cute and fun.”
This is Bae Doona's first challenge in a romance film in ten years since 'Air Doll'. She said, “Ten years ago, there was a soft film called 'Air Doll'. Since then, I have acted in many disaster genres like 'Kingdom', 'Secret Forest', and 'Tunnel'. I actually missed this kind of softness and wanted to tell a warm and bright story. I think making the audience feel good and laugh is a great virtue. I had a vague longing for such a film, which is why I took this role.”
Kim Yoon-seok returns as 'Yi-kyun', an expert on the 'Toxoplasma virus' who has dedicated his life to creating a side-effect-free depression treatment. He will portray the 'science-type' character with a down-to-earth humanity, and through his special journey with 'Taek-seon', who is infected with the 'Toxoplasma virus', he is expected to create fantastic chemistry with Bae Doona.
Regarding Yi-kyun, Kim Yoon-seok introduced him as “a character who has been researching a treatment for seven years to cure the 'Toxoplasma virus' and help people live positive and bright lives. He meets Taek-seon by chance, treats her, and embarks on a journey together.” He added with a smile, “After all, he is the third man Taek-seon meets and the oldest among them. I think I should add this to feel at ease.”
Jang Ki-ha, who has expanded his spectrum from singer-songwriter to film music director and acting, plays 'Yeon-woo', Taek-seon's elementary school classmate. He adds fun by portraying the character's unexpected entanglement in the 'virus incident' while trying to sell to Taek-seon, who visits his car dealership, with his natural acting style.
Describing his character as “the most ordinary character,” Jang Ki-ha said, “It was fun to depict how an ordinary person reacts in a special situation,” but he also expressed, “Since I don’t have much acting experience, I probably couldn’t be cast in a character too far from myself. In reality, I have some similarities with Yeon-woo. He gets caught up in an absurd situation while living a peaceful daily life. I felt unfair while acting too.”
Son Seok-koo makes a special appearance as 'Soo-pil', a lifelong single researcher who goes on a blind date with Taek-seon. He is a pivotal character that triggers all the events, enhancing the immersion from the start of the film. In place of Son Seok-koo, director Kang Yi-kwan commented, “Son Seok-koo played a witty character with his unique offbeat vocalization.”
In addition, 'Virus' features actors such as Moon Seong-keun, Kim Hee-won, Oh Hyun-kyung, Min Jin-woong, and Yeom Hae-rang. Bae Doona hinted, “Many great actors besides us appear. KARD Garden also makes an appearance. As the actors delivered amazing performances, please look forward to the chemistry we created together.”
Finally, Bae Doona defined 'Virus' as “a bright and cheerful film filled with kindness and overflowing with love, and it carries a message worth thinking about.” She expressed her expectations, saying, “I can proudly say that. It's a movie that makes you feel good as you leave the theater, so I hope it receives a lot of attention.”
Meanwhile, 'Virus' is set to be released on May 7.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
