The movie 'The Divine Band', which is highly anticipated as the return work of actor Park Si-hoo, has confirmed its release in December and unveiled two striking launch posters that parody North Korean aesthetics.
'The Divine Band' tells the story of a fake praise group established in North Korea for the purpose of earning foreign currency. With its fresh premise as 'the first musical film set in North Korea' and overwhelming visuals completed through large-scale location shooting in the extreme cold of Mongolia and Hungary, it has already garnered attention.
The launch posters released this time capture attention with their unique visuals that seem to have been directly lifted from North Korean propaganda posters. Set against a majestic snowy mountain backdrop, actor Park Si-hoo in military uniform and the band members are seen playing microphones, trumpets, and cellos, stimulating curiosity about the identity and purpose of the 'Divine Band' they have formed.
In particular, the phrase 'Listen to the revolutionary melody!' along with the release date and performance location marked as 'Year 114 of Juche (2025) December' and 'South Korean Cinema' catches the eye. This setting, which sends an 'invitation' to South Korean audiences in North Korean language, adds fresh fun to the clash of unfamiliar language and familiar reality. Additionally, the polite invitation phrase 'We cordially invite our precious comrades to a meaningful performance' evokes the illusion that the North Korean band is inviting South Korean audiences, or 'precious comrades', heightening expectations for the film's unpredictable story.
Actor Park Si-hoo, who returns to the screen after 10 years in the role of 'Kyo-soon', is expected to delicately portray the internal changes experienced by a cold-blooded officer from the North Korean security agency leading the fake band. Joining him as another protagonist in opposition is actor Jung Jin-woon, a former member of the group 2AM, along with a solid supporting cast including Tae Hang-ho, Jang Ji-geon, Yoon Je-moon, Moon Kyung-min, and Han Jeong-wan, promising perfect synergy. The film is directed by Kim Hyung-hyup, who previously delivered delightful laughter and warm emotion with the movie 'Dad is a Daughter'.
With the unprecedented concept of 'Invitation to South Korean Cinema', the movie 'The Divine Band' is set to meet audiences in theaters nationwide this December, bringing cheerful laughter, profound emotion, and the resonance of satire.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
