The youth film ‘Linda Linda Linda’, featuring Bae Doona from 20 years ago, is coming to theaters.
On the afternoon of the 12th, a preview and press conference for the film ‘Linda Linda Linda’ was held at Megabox COEX in Seoul. Director Yamashita Nobuhiro and actors Bae Doona, Maeda Aki, Kashii Yuu, and Sekine Shiori attended.
First released in 2006, ‘Linda Linda Linda’ depicts the clumsy yet sparkling youth of a high school girl band preparing for a festival to celebrate the end of their high school life, along with a Korean exchange student named ‘Song’ who unexpectedly becomes the vocalist.
Bae Doona plays the role of the Korean exchange student Song, adding significance to the reunion with the three actors and director Yamashita Nobuhiro in Korea.
Director Yamashita Nobuhiro said, “I was 28 years old 20 years ago. At that time, I was shy about capturing the sparkle within me, but now I want to praise my 28-year-old self. I want to say, ‘You did well.’ I feel like I’ve become an advisor to the band in Korea, Song’s home country. It feels like attending a reunion. It’s quite enjoyable and feels like I’ve received an award.”
Bae Doona expressed her affection, saying, “‘Linda Linda Linda’ is a cherished and beloved work. When I heard about the re-release, it was the happiest news I received last year. It feels like a beautiful time of my youth is well captured. This film gives me and my friends really good memories and beautiful feelings, so watching it makes me feel fuzzy and strange.”
Maeda Aki said, “I’m really happy that a work I love is being re-screened in theaters. This is not a common occurrence, so I feel fortunate. I recently did a stage greeting in Japan, and many people enjoyed watching it. During the Q&A session, I received many questions, and I realized anew how much this work is loved. I was happy to be able to reunite with the three of us.”
Kashii Yuu stated, “This is the first time this work has been screened in 20 years. So I’m happy. This work taught me how to make a film. The atmosphere the director exudes and the power to unite the staff. We four enjoyed working together. We gathered in Tokyo recently, and it was a great time to see how we’ve grown. It felt like receiving a gift.”
She continued, “20 years ago, I couldn’t appreciate the work because I was too immersed in my role. Watching it again after 20 years, I think my favorite scenes then and now will be different. Now, I like the scene with the shoe rack at the end and the rain scene that lingers.”
Sekine Shiori shared, “I’m not just an actress; my main profession is as a musician. This was my first time appearing in a film. I haven’t appeared in any films since then. This movie itself was a truly special experience. It’s miraculous that after 20 years, we gathered to appear in a work being screened again in Japan and Korea. I’m happy to reunite after 20 years.”
Bae Doona mentioned that she recently met the members in Japan after 20 years, saying, “We were really the same. We did the same schedule for this promotion in Tokyo. I arrived early in the morning by plane, and the actors getting their makeup done all ran over to welcome me.”
She added, “Even though we met after 20 years, we suddenly acted like kids, jumping around just like before. It felt like we returned to that time,” but confessed, “However, I feel that the topics of our conversations have changed from before.”
Bae Doona humorously remarked, “I keep asking about cooking. I wonder how to make this, what ingredients go into this dish. As I get older, I find myself asking about cooking and talking about different things than I did in my teens.”
Meanwhile, Bae Doona revealed the reason why ‘Linda Linda Linda’ has been loved for 20 years.
Bae Doona said, “‘Linda Linda Linda’ is loved by everyone. Even after 5 or 10 years, people talk about this work in the West. I think it’s a film that has a common universal emotion that transcends culture and borders.”
She added, “There’s humor and the director’s unique wit. I think this film captures things in a calm manner. It’s straightforward and realistic without emotional waves, which makes it comfortable for us to watch. The audience takes the emotion with them, and I think that’s why it’s good to watch even after 20 years. ‘Linda Linda Linda’ seen in my 20s and ‘Linda Linda Linda’ seen in my 40s are both good. It seems to transcend generations.”
Maeda Aki also explained, “Everyone made it with a joyful heart, and those feelings are well captured in the film, which is why many people like it. The director’s calm emotions and the lack of boiling over matched well with the work. That balance makes it a good piece.”
When asked about plans for a sequel, director Yamashita Nobuhiro replied, “I have imagined what they would look like 20 years later, but it wasn’t in the form of a band. Song might have returned to Korea, and while I can imagine it in my head, it doesn’t seem as simple as this work. Currently, there are no plans for a sequel.”
‘Linda Linda Linda’ will be re-released on the 17th.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
