Director Nam Dong-hyup Promises a Hollywood Vibe with Multi-Genre Elements

 

Courtesy of NEW

The South Korean comedy occult film "Handsome Guys," featuring veteran actors Lee Hee-jun and Lee Sung-min, aims to distinguish itself from the recent occult hit "Exhuma" by incorporating a Hollywood-style atmosphere and comedic elements, according to director Nam Dong-hyup.

"Handsome Guys" follows the story of Jae-pil (Lee Sung-min) and Sang-gu (Lee Hee-jun), friends who move to a rural house where they uncover an evil spirit sealed in the basement. While the plot shares similarities with "Exhuma," which involves the release of a spirit from a coffin, Nam emphasized the distinct approach of his film.
 

▲ A scene from "Handsome Guys" / Courtesy of NEW“Recently, 'Exhuma' has been a hot topic here. If 'Exhuma' had a strong K-occult feel, 'Handsome Guys' has an American Hollywood occult vibe. We aimed to capture the tone and atmosphere of American comedies from the '80s and '90s in 'Handsome Guys,'" Nam said during a press conference in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on Monday. "Handsome Guys" marks Nam's debut as a film director after his work as an assistant director on films like "Penny Pinchers" (2011) and "High Society" (2018).

Nam explained that "Handsome Guys" is not solely a comedy but combines multiple genres to provide a varied and entertaining experience. “In 'Handsome Guys,' you can experience how Lee Sung-min conveys a human drama and thriller, Lee Hee-jun's melodrama, and Gong Seung-yeon's portrayal of a horror queen. Additionally, there's Park Ji-hwan, known for playing criminals, taking on a detective story," Nam said. Park Ji-hwan plays a police officer entangled in Jae-pil's and Sang-gu's story, after his notable role as Jang Yi-soo in "The Roundup: Punishment." 

▲ A scene from "Handsome Guys" / Courtesy of NEWLee Sung-min highlighted the film's genre-blending approach, stating, "I also found the mix of various genres to be very refreshing." Nam added that the film's narrative takes a significant turn when the evil spirit is unsealed, introducing a distinct second part to the movie.

"Handsome Guys" is scheduled to be released in local theaters on June 26.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com