In the midst of a tough and harsh reality, ‘The Seven Queens’ aims to bring hope, courage, and laughter to the audience.
On the 24th, a press screening and meeting for the movie ‘The Seven Queens’ was held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. Director Shin Cheol-seung and actors Kim Cheong, Kim Mi-hwa, Kim Seong-hee, Jeon Seong-ae, Ji Mi-ri, Jo Jung-min, and Jeong Seo-woo attended.
‘The Seven Queens’ is a comedic family drama that depicts the process of seven women, each with their own stories, healing each other's painful pasts and solving their problems while gathered in a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna). The seven women, who once reached the pinnacle of success in various professions and personalities, find themselves losing everything due to involvement in coins, stocks, voice phishing, and scams, leading them to live in a jjimjilbang, where they get to know each other and work through their painful pasts and current issues.
Director Shin Cheol-seung has participated as a producer in works such as the dramas ‘Winter Bird’, ‘The Perfect Wife’, and ‘God’s Quiz’ Seasons 1-4. He has produced films like ‘Night Blooming Jasmine’, ‘Mr. Iron Bag’, and ‘Worm’, and was the executive producer of the drama ‘Cheese in the Trap’.
On this day, Director Shin Cheol-seung stated, “Everything has gone up except for salaries,” and added, “I don’t think the value of laughter has increased. I hope many people laugh while watching our movie.”
This film features talents who once dominated an era, including Kim Cheong, the famous comedian Kim Mi-hwa known for her role as a villain, actress Kim Seong-hee who gained fame as Mija in the drama ‘The Blue Bird’, actress Jeon Seong-ae, theater goddess Ji Mi-ri, trot singer and actress Jo Jung-min, and rookie actress Jeong Seo-woo.
Singer and radio DJ Lim Baek-cheon, actor Kim Jeong-kyun, actor Ahn Jeong-hoon, and former baseball player Yang Jun-hyuk also appear. Special appearances include actors Lee Gye-in, Yoon Soon-hong, Kim Yeong-seok, Lee Cheol-min, singer Lee Beom-hak, Onion's Lim Chang-jae, Yurisangja's Park Seung-hwa, popera singer Yoon Ye-won, comedians Jeon Chang-geol and Na Gyeong-hoon, 600,000-subscriber YouTuber comedian Park Hyeong-min, broadcaster and journalist Yoo In-gyeong, psychologist Choi Chang-ho, and Dr. Myung Seung-kwon from the National Cancer Center.
Kim Cheong said, “It’s been a long time since I attended a movie screening. I have a connection with Director Shin Cheol-seung, but I was excited to do something with our ‘Seven Queens’. I guess I felt a bit lonely. People need to come together. I felt that life is not meant to be lived alone.”
She continued, “It has been difficult in many ways lately. At first, I wondered if this would be our movie, but our movie is fundamentally warm. It’s different from the big productions that are trending these days; it has dreams and hope. Everyone can have pain. How many people can be completely happy? I have experienced many ups and downs in life and have come to this point.”
Kim Cheong added, “I hope this movie can be one that reaches out a hand, even if just a little, to show that you are not alone. I hope it can be a source of strength and hope. Let’s not lose hope and courage, and I wish everyone happiness and health in the new year.”
Kim Mi-hwa remarked, “This is the most fun movie I’ve ever filmed,” and joked, “It’s my first movie, though.” He said, “I like to work as if I’m playing. Director Shin Cheol-seung has great human relationships. Our team is considerate, so we acted as if we were having fun. We filmed in such a way that we looked forward to meeting each day. I hope the audience finds it as enjoyable as we did.”
Jo Jung-min shared, “In the film, I graduated from a prestigious university but ended up failing due to a pyramid scheme and now work as a jjimjilbang part-timer,” and added, “Director Shin Cheol-seung gave me the opportunity to join at the end. After my father passed away, I worked part-time at a piano academy as the eldest daughter. I had to take care of the kids, feed them, and teach piano. It was similar to working at the jjimjilbang. I felt I could pour my experiences into this role.”
She continued, “Our movie condenses the real world into the jjimjilbang. Within it, we meet and warm up, gaining strength. I am grateful for the opportunity to act. I feel that my wishes and desires have been fulfilled through ‘The Seven Queens’.”
Kim Seong-hee expressed, “I feel overwhelmed to be back with ‘Dongchimi’ and to attend the movie screening,” and said, “After 30 years of acting, including roles in ‘The Blue Bird’ and ‘Love and War’, Director Shin Cheol-seung gave me the opportunity to play a soldier role that fits my personality perfectly in ‘The Seven Queens’.”
He also shared, “When I was young, my family was once homeless, so I can relate to the story,” and added, “For 30 years, I have thought about what to pursue in my acting career. During times of success and failure, Director Shin Cheol-seung saved me. The philosophy of this movie, as I see it, is that if even one person reaches out a warm hand and believes in someone, we can overcome the collapsing reality. I ask for your interest in this film to help me become a better actor.”
Jeon Seong-ae, Ji Mi-ri, and Jeong Seo-woo also echoed, “We were excited and happy while filming ‘The Seven Queens’,” hoping that the movie would convey laughter and courage to the audience. Director Shin Cheol-seung and the actors shouted, “Let’s aim for 10 million!” wishing for the film's success.
‘The Seven Queens’ will be released on the 26th.
