The blood-soaked family liberation diary ‘Silver Apricot’ is coming to the screen.
On the morning of the 7th, a press screening and meeting for the film ‘Silver Apricot’ was held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. Director Jang Man-min and actors Na Ae-jin, Ahn Seok-hwan, Kang Bong-seong, Kim Jin-young, and Choi Jeong-hyun attended.
‘Silver Apricot’ tells the story of Jeong Seo (Na Ae-jin), a non-regular web designer and webtoon artist who is about to get married. In order to secure the deposit for an apartment, she leaves a loan note for her mother Mi-young (Park Hyun-sook) after her divorce and goes to find her father Yeong-joo (Ahn Seok-hwan), who lives in Donghae, Gangwon Province.
As the first feature film to be released by KAFA (Korean Academy of Film Arts) in 2025, it is directed by Jang Man-min, who gained recognition for directing the short film ‘Hysteria,’ which won the Best Film Award at the 17th Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, and for being the assistant director in the film ‘Two Women Wearing the Same Underwear,’ building his skills through various films.
Director Jang Man-min said, “In 2018, when I lost the roots of my heart, I traveled to Donghae, and after going there a few times, it felt like my hometown. The protagonist and the story with the saxophone came to mind at that time,” and introduced it as “a story that reflects on various relationships that form one’s roots.”
The talented actor Ahn Seok-hwan plays the role of Yeong-joo, a father who is more devoted to his desires than to his family, while Na Ae-jin, who has established herself as a rising star in the independent film scene with appearances in films like ‘Soup is Not Free’ and ‘Good Mother,’ plays his eldest daughter Jeong Seo, creating a complex father-daughter relationship.
Actor Kang Bong-seong, known for dramas like ‘Goryeo-Khitan War’ and ‘Taejong Yi Bang-won,’ plays Jeong Seo’s boyfriend Kyung-hyun, while Kim Jin-young, who gained fame in Netflix’s ‘All of Us Are Dead,’ appears as Jeong Seo’s half-brother Jeong-hae. Additionally, the talented Choi Jeong-hyun, who has excelled in plays like ‘Oasis,’ ‘De-Rolling,’ and ‘Hongpyeonggukjeon,’ plays the role of Joo-hee, Yeong-joo’s current wife and Jeong-hae’s mother, while Park Hyun-sook, known for films like ‘The Last Escape’ and ‘Confession’ and dramas like ‘Elegant Mother’ and ‘Secret Door,’ plays Yeong-joo’s ex-wife and Jeong Seo’s mother.
On that day, Na Ae-jin shared, “I met the director and talked a lot about life. When I received the script, I felt a connection to the trajectory I experienced while acting in Seoul. I thought I wanted to do it all at once,” explaining her reason for participating.
Regarding receiving the Best Actor award at the Jeonju Film Festival, she said, “I kept saying to the director that we should finish well, and my goal was to complete it like clearing a quest. I felt that we were sailing smoothly, and since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I’m cherishing each moment rather than getting too excited. I’m grateful for the time we’re spending together. I believe I received the acting award thanks to the teamwork with experienced staff like Ahn Seok-hwan. I think this result came from the good time we had together,” showing her humility.
Ahn Seok-hwan expressed, “After reading the script, I thought it was well-written, but I wondered how the audience would connect with it. I wanted to create a close and intimate screen, and I enjoyed the filming process. I’m happy and grateful that it’s being released,” sharing his thoughts on participating.
He added, “The passionate young friends endured better than older people, which made it a work full of enthusiasm,” and stated, “Although it’s a story of one family, I think it reflects the current era.”
Kang Bong-seong said, “The script was so interesting that I read it all the way through. As an actor, I wanted to contribute to such a story. When I went to the audition, I saw the director’s kind eyes and confident attitude, and I wanted to work together no matter what,” and confessed, “It’s an honor to work with Ahn Seok-hwan. He created a free atmosphere on set like lubricant. I thought I wanted to act like that in the future.”
Kim Jin-young mentioned, “I felt a bright energy, and the relationships between the characters were intriguing,” and added, “I learned to skate and played the piano for the role of Jeong-hye. There was a scene where I had to play the piano while delivering lines, but it got edited out, which is a pity,” jokingly lamenting.
Meanwhile, Choi Jeong-hyun expressed, “It seems like we depicted family stories calmly, but the way they tear each other apart is absurd and funny,” showing her affection for the film.
Finally, Director Jang said, “In these chaotic times, I hope our film can be a small warmth.”
‘Silver Apricot’ will be released on the 15th.
