Busan International Film Festival is Korea's first and the largest film festival. It is known as Asia's one of the biggest film festival and loved by cinema enthusiasts of the world. Biff has been demonstrating great global and Asian films for decades. This is the 30th year of this prestigious festival.

Korea's Gangwon based film director Kim Jinyu is a well known name in the indie film industry and to the film festivals. His debut feature film "Bori" (2018) received Directors Guild of Korea Award in the Busan International Film Festival previously. He also directed "Do you hear What I hear?" (2014). "Journey There" is director Kim's second feature film, which will be premiered in Biff in vision category for the first time. Currently he is working as an executive festival director of Jeongdong-jin Independent Film Festival.

"Journey There" is a film about a woman Chun-hee who lost her husband and left with his grand piano. She moved to a new apartment but there is no space for the piano but she get an offer to keep it at her neighbor's house who is Min-Jun, another important character. Min-Jun is a conductor and he came to Korea in search of his birth mother. It is a film about the journey towards death, renewal and rebirth. It discusses the friendship of three characters of different age groups. Veteran actress Kim Hyeok acted in director Kim's film "Journey There" along with American actor Justin H.MIN and actress Gong Minjeung. This is pianist Daeho Park's first film.

I found about director Kim Jinyu's film while surfing at Biff website. The intriguing trailer of "Journey There" made me to contact director Kim and ask for an interview. I was fortunate enough to interview him via email between September 3 to September 12.  

When and how did you start making "Journey There" ?

I began working on the screenplay for "Journey There" in 2022. At the time, There was a discussion about euthanasia between director Jean-Luc Godard and Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt. Naturally, I wanted to talk about death and family.

Is there any filmmaker or any film that influenced your journey ?

I think many movies have inspired me. When I was young, there was a Korean TV program called "Saturday Night Movie." I watched it every Saturday night.
During the screenplay development process, I referenced Shin A-yeon's book, “I Visited a Swiss Euthanasia Site.” 

Your film "Journey There" got selected to be featured at Busan International Film Festival, how does it feel ? How do you hope the audiences response to your film ?

My first film, "Bori" was screened in Busan International Film Festival, and I'm honored to be screening my second film, "Journey There," in Busan as well. "Journey There" is a story about death and family. I think if we think about death even a little bit as we live our lives, wouldn't we strive to live better lives? I hope we can create a society where people care about others.

What is the reason behind choosing "Journey There" as the name of your film ?

This film depicts the protagonist, Chun-hee, on her journey to meet her husband. Chun-hee had already decided where to go, so I titled it "Journey There."

How did the idea of making this film first came to you ?

At first, it was a melodrama about an orchestra conductor and a hearing-impaired person. I wanted to tell a deep love story, but as things got out of hand, I reset the ages of the two characters, and it naturally became a story about death.

I learnt that your previous film “Bori” had a personal touch of your experience in life, is there any personal experience that influenced "Journey There" ?

I have friends with brain damage and physical disabilities. Whenever I drink with them, they always talk about wanting to die. Euthanasia has been on my mind for a long time, so it naturally led me to the scenario for  "Journey There" .

Why did you choose this particular theme of restoration, renewal and rebirth for your film ?

It's an attitude I consider important in my daily life. With respect for those who have gone before me and consideration for those who will follow, I hope that diverse generations can overcome conflict and live in society together. I believe that not only the exchange of material goods but also the exchange of thoughts and attitudes is necessary. I serve as the executive director of the Jeongdong-jin Independent Film Festival in Gangneung and am a member of an organization called Gangneung Cinematheque. I also hope that the film festival will continue what the older generations have created.

Is there anything symbolic about the piano ? If so can you please elaborate it for us ?

This is a grand piano Chun hee's husband, who couldn't hear, bought. It might be unnecessary for a deaf person, but for him, it must have been a source of curiosity and a challenge. Chun-hee was the one who kept the precious item her husband left behind, keeping it alive. Min-jun and Seong-chan then took over Chun-hee's care. I think it's incredibly beautiful to share something precious and valuable to each other. I think it's meaningful because it gives it life.

What role does music play in the narrative of the film ?

There's a song that Chun hee's husband composed in the film. Min-jun reinterprets it and completes it. It's a beautiful piece that also serves as the film's conclusion.
You could say it's another generation completing what one generation couldn't, and I hope you'll see it as a way to carry on the values. Music is used in a variety of ways in “Journey There”. It's primarily used to express the characters' emotions and sentiments.

What challenges did you face while showing the good hearted friendship of people from different age groups and life paths together in this film ?

Chun-hee's death may be a difficult situation to face. However, looking back on her life, it could be both an end and a new beginning. I believe Chun-hee, Min-jun, and Seong-chan all deal with death in their own ways.

How did you develop the characters of Chun-hee, Min Jun and Seong-chan ?

I focused on each character individually, constantly contemplating, "What if I were Chun-hee? What if I were Min-jun? What if I were Seong-chan?"
The characters for "Journey There" were finally complete, and during filming, actors Kim Hye-ok, Justin H. Min, and Park Dae-ho added even more depth to their roles.

Any special moment working with the actors that you want to share with us ?

I'd like to say that making the film itself was special. I was happy to meet actress Kim Hye-ok, who read the script and participated, and Justin H. Min, who came to Korea from the US to film. Pianist Park Dae-ho, who had never acted in a film before, and came together in the film. I also feel fortunate to have worked with actress Gong Min-jung, who plays Na-kyung. It was also special to be able to capture a scene I personally love, where Kim Jong-goo, who plays the tuner Na Won-hae, says, "Thank you, madam."

Is there any upcoming project you are working on ?

I'm currently working on a story about a modern-day traffic police officer and a romantic melodrama. It's still in the script stage. For now, I'm hoping "Journey There" will reach to wider audiences. 

In the above interview with Director Kim Jinyu, he talked about his inspiration behind his second feature film "Journey There". The theme of his film is death and it depicts the friendship of three characters of different age groups. "Journey There" will have it's world premiere in the 30th Busan International Film Festival. 

Trailer of the Film "Journey There" (Video Credit : Busan International Film Festival)

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