Actors Kim Min-jong and Ye Ji-won recently appeared on SBS’s ‘Nightline’ to talk about their film Florence, which won three top honors — Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay — at the 2025 Global Stage Hollywood Film Festival. The movie has generated buzz even before its release, as it marks Kim’s return to the big screen after two decades.
Florence is a Korean-Italian road movie that follows a middle-aged man’s journey of healing in the sun-drenched streets of Florence, Italy. Kim expressed how emotional and overwhelmed he felt during the blind-screening afterparty where they learned of the film’s awards. “Everyone went wild — the director, staff, and fellow actors. It felt surreal to be part of something so historic for Korean cinema,” he said.
Why it matters
This cross-cultural collaboration highlights the increasing global reach of Korean cinema. Ye Ji-won shared her hopes that the film would serve as a bridge for Korean films to expand internationally. She even studied Italian for over a month to deliver her lines authentically. The actors emphasized that Florence is not only a story of personal growth but also represents courage for people pursuing meaningful work at any age. The film is slated for release in Korean theaters on November 26.
Source (KR): https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1008335406&plink=RSSLINK&cooper=RSSREADER