Opening in Japan on July 10, “Trophy” tells the story of 14-year-old Sohee, a Zainichi Korean girl. The chaos begins when she secretly sells a precious North Korean medal her father cherished just to get tickets for a K-pop idol concert! What starts as a simple teenage desire evolves into a story that reflects family conflicts and the complex identity issues within the Zainichi Korean community, promising a delightful yet deeply resonant experience.
Director Son Myung-ah is a member of “Bunbuku,” the production group led by Director Kore-eda Hirokazu. She built her directing skills as an assistant director on films like Nishikawa Miwa’s “Wonderful World” and Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Broker.” As a third-generation Zainichi Korean, Director Son experienced a complex identity while navigating between Korean schools and Japanese society, which became the inspiration for her first feature film, “Trophy.”
Regarding the Korean release, Director Son Myung-ah shared her excitement: “I am thrilled and grateful that the news of ‘Trophy’ in Japan has reached Korea and is receiving so much interest. From the early planning stages, I wanted to depict relationships between family and friends that anyone can relate to, rather than focusing solely on the story of Zainichi Koreans. I hope many Korean audiences will see ‘Trophy’ in theaters.”
The lead role of Sohee is played by rookie actress Hangna, a Zainichi Korean who was cast after beating out 250 other candidates. Hangna is expected to leave a strong impression by delicately portraying the inner emotions of a Zainichi Korean and the complex, subtle psychology of a teenage girl.
The film’s quality is further enhanced by a stellar Japanese cast, including Kasamatsu Sho, who has gained huge popularity in Korea through the movie “Good News” and the drama “Taxi Driver 3”; Iura Arata, who has a wide Korean fanbase from “Wonderful Life,” “Air Doll,” “Unnatural,” and “Unmet: Diary of a Brain Surgeon”; and Ichikawa Miwako.
