This post is being updated with photos and videos.
In the afternoon of June 02, 2019, the cast and the director of Sunshine Family were able to meet with people from the media for a short press conference regarding their upcoming movie which will be shown in theaters nationwide starting June 5, 2019.
The cast members present during the press conference were Sue Ramirez, Shinwoo (Blanc7), Han Taeil, Park Sejin, and Director Kim Tai-sik.
Before the presscon proper began, the first ones to arrive at the venue were Sue Ramirez and Shinwoo. They started introducing themselves and they had the chance to ask a few questions to each other, and most of them were specifically asked by Sue to Shinwoo since it was his first visit to the Philippines.
(Disclaimer: All questions, answers, and conversations are non-verbatim)
Sue: What can you say about the Philippines?
Shinwoo: It’s actually my first time to visit the country and I can say that it’s very hot here.
Sue was telling Shinwoo about Filipino foods because it seems like Shinwoo wants to try them. She even recommended that he should eat foods like Kare-Kare and Adobo so he can really say that he has eaten Filipino foods.
Shinwoo: I also wanna try riding the jeepney.
Sue: We can actually ride a jeepney now and go to Morato!
Sue asked Shinwoo about other places in Manila.
Sue: Is there any other place in the Philippines that you wanna go to?
Shinwoo: Manila?
Sue: You only know Manila! How about Boracay? Cebu? There are many other beautiful places in the Philippines.
Sue was asked where else in Korea she wants to visit someday.
Sue: I’ve never been to Jeju. Last time I already went to Busan and it was so beautiful there. I even got to witness cherry blossoms during my visit.
And after a few questions to Sue and Shinwoo, Korean actress Park Sejin and Director Kim Tai-sik arrived at the venue. People from the press started asking questions one by one.
Question 1: Ms. Sue, how was it filming the movie?
Sue: I expected it to be really hard because Filipinos and Koreans have completely different cultures, but everyone involved in making the movie were very kind and especially the Korean cast made sure that the filming was going to be fun.
Question 2: What are the memorable moments behind the scenes?
Sue: I will always remember how cold it was while we were filming. There are times when the weather went negative and it was almost hard to bear.
Shinwoo: I guess for me it was the kissing scene?
Park Sejin: It was very cold that time and the clothes we wore during filming were inappropriate for that kind of weather.
Dir. Kim Tai-sik: First of all, the beginning of filming was hard because of the communication. We also had a hard time to meet the expected results since we were not able to follow the time allotment for each scene. I realized that Tagalog sentences are longer than Korean ones too. Then we had a few issues with the weather because it was colder than usual. For the kissing scene, it was also kind of memorable for me since I think Korean kissing scenes are different from those in Filipino films. There are two kinds of kissing scenes in Korea.
By this time, veteran actor Han Taeil arrived and joined the press conference.
Question 3: As we know, actors Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino are real-life couples. Was it a plan from the start to cast real-life couples in the movie?
Dir. Kim Tai-sik: The actors were recommended to me because they are said to be very professional – it was unintended. Actually, I thought they were going to divorce after the movie but they did not. (laughs) They executed their roles really well.
Question 4: What is your concept of a family and how was it applied in the movie?
Han Taeil: I saw the difference of Filipino and Korean families in the movie. We were able to share our cultures and beliefs while filming the movie and I was happy that we had the chance to have this cultural exchange.
Park Sejin: Korean families are becoming smaller than expected, while I noticed that Filipino families are very close and bonded. Also, even if there are differences like these I think that the love for the family is something universal.
Sue Ramirez: We may have been used to knowing that our family consists of the people we grew up with, but I think it is more than that. For me, a family is a group of people that we choose to be with. They are the people we love and respect, and they feel the same way for us since they respect us wholeheartedly too. Just like how I have my friends, my family, and other groups of people I trust. So I think that you can actually choose your family, which are probably people you are most comfortable with.
Shinwoo: I agree with Sue. I also think that a real family is able to work hard together. I hope the viewers of Sunshine Family will be able to feel what a real family is like and how they love each other when they watch the movie.
Question 5: For Director Kim Tai-sik, what changes did you make for this movie since it is based from a previous film and why did you decide to create such material?
Dir. Kim Tai-sik: The original movie was done 3 years ago in Japan, so I made this version a little more modern than before. Also, I used a different concept by making the protagonists of the story as a foreign family living in Korea. I tried my best to stick to the original story line, and while doing so I added a few additions and made a few subtractions so I can at least tell that the movie still has its own color and content. It’s hard to make original stories, and filming movie remakes are actually not new these days.
Question 6: Ms. Sue, what would you think will be the difference if the movie was shot in the Philippines?
Sue Ramirez: I think that beats the story because the main point of the movie is to show the flexibility of Filipinos who are staying in a foreign country. The movie focuses on how Filipinos can adapt anywhere they go, and it does not only show how one Filipino can do it but as a whole family too.
Question 7: A question for Ms. Sue. As an ambassador, how will the movie promote Philippines to Koreans?
Sue: I think it will be easy because the difference between both cultures is distinct. Also, both cultures have their own beauty and it makes both of them stand out. The language, the food, the different places to visit – I can start sharing these to the Korean cast first and I know that they will be able to share it to their own friends and families.
Additional Question: Are the Korean cast aware of how huge the popularity of K-pop is in the Philippines?
Shinwoo: (jokingly) I don’t know. No, I know. Especially BTS, I think they are the most famous now.
Sue: Yeah! Even streets in Quezon City are packed with different Korean restaurants. Blackpink is very famous too, and Twice who are about to have a concert this month. There was also a Korean convention in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig yesterday.
Question 8: How was it working with a Filipino cast and filming a multicultural film?
Dir. Kim Tai-sik: Well, I think the communication will be the hardest part of making the film but I am happy that we were able to make it. Korean lines were memorized in 1 month, and I noticed that the Filipino actors were very fluent and they seem natural. They were also very friendly and hardworking. For us Koreans, we did all we could to accommodate the Filipino cast. We made sure that the schedule and even the food will be suitable for them. However, the weather really made me feel sorry since I can’t do anything about it. But I was happy that they were able to experience and see snow during that time.
Question 9: To Sue and Shinwoo, how are your characters similar or different to what you are in real life?
Sue: Shine and I are both outspoken individuals. We tend to say whatever we want. Our difference is that Shine is actually a stubborn girl, and I think I am not close to being like that.
Shinwoo: I am different with my character since he was too calm and innocent. I consider myself to be really cheerful and fun so it was challenging to be him.
As an ending statement for the press conference, Sue made sure that people will be able to see the movie more for its story and values.
Sue: Korea is a very beautiful country, and no matter what happens it will stay that way. So I hope that those who will be seeing the movie will be able to appreciate the real reason why we worked this hard to create this film for everyone, we want people to be able to see what the love of a family is like.
After the meaningful press conference, photos of the cast were taken and everyone was very thankful on how they shared those details during the event. The presscon lasted for almost 51 minutes and it was meaningful that the cast and the director himself was able to express their own thoughts and experiences to the press.
To know more about Sunshine Family, be sure to watch it on cinemas this coming June 5 and it will be more fun if you bring along your friends and family with you.
