Director Kim Sung-hoon, left, and actor Lee Kwang-soo pose for images throughout a press convention for romantic comedy movie ″Love Barista″ held in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Nov. 10. [NEWS1]
Actor Lee Kwang-soo is bringing his real-life persona to the massive display within the upcoming comedy movie “Love Barista,” taking part in an “Asia Prince” position — a nod to the nickname he earned throughout Southeast Asia.
“[The nickname, ‘Asia Prince,’] truly began in Vietnam, so the nation could be very significant to me and I really feel grateful towards it,” mentioned Lee throughout the movie’s press convention held on Monday in Yongsan District, central Seoul. “That’s why I needed to do even higher this time and present a greater aspect of myself.”
Directed by Kim Sung-hoon, who helmed “Confidential Task” (2017), the movie follows high Korean star Kang Jun-woo, portrayed by Lee, who’s misplaced in Vietnam with out his supervisor, passport or cash. There, he encounters an strange Vietnamese barista, Thao, performed by Vietnamese actor Hoàng Hà, and the 2 slowly develop shut.
Jun-woo, as a high star in Korea and throughout Asia, mirrors some elements of Lee’s personal movie star life. Director Kim, who has recognized Lee for over a decade and labored with him on “My Little Hero” (2013), thought of him for the position from the very begin of the challenge.
“I believed it could be actually enjoyable to have a recent, Hallyu [Korean Wave]-style star like him play the position of an Asian high movie star,” the director mentioned. “Above all, I needed to inform a protracted, layered story with him.”
He additionally added that Jun-woo’s picture has some similarities to the acquainted photographs of Lee that audiences have seen on selection exhibits.
![Director Kim Sung-hoon, right, speaks alongside actor Lee Kwang-soo during a press conference for romantic comedy film ″Love Barista″ held in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Nov. 10. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2025/11/10/bbb856ab-5535-4215-b13d-517973b1eb4e.jpg)
Director Kim Sung-hoon, proper, speaks alongside actor Lee Kwang-soo throughout a press convention for romantic comedy movie ″Love Barista″ held in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Nov. 10. [NEWS1]
Whereas portraying a high star, Lee revealed that he pertains to the character’s ongoing contemplation and issues about shedding the highlight. Nevertheless, when requested if he ever feels the necessity for a break, he mentioned he doesn’t.
“I genuinely take pleasure in working and I are likely to get lots of vitality from being on set, so I don’t actually really feel exhausted,” he burdened. “That mentioned, I do have a private want, which I hope my busy life can proceed for some time.”
The movie can also be recognized by a distinct title in Korea, “Prince of One” (translated), a title that Lee admitted makes him a bit shy, as he needed to consult with himself as a prince.
“Love Barista” was not simply set in Vietnam, it was additionally coproduced with a Vietnamese studio, Sidus And Teu Leisure, a development which is changing into more and more frequent in Korea. One other Korea-Vietnam joint challenge, “Leaving Mother,” directed by Korean director Mo Hong-jin, was launched earlier this month.
Director Kim believes that now’s the time when this type of collaboration “is probably not obligatory, however is required” for the struggling movie trade.
“I imagine creating one thing collectively that isn’t simply Korean, Vietnamese or Japanese, however one thing that might belong to Asia as a complete, may open one other path for creating recent content material,” he mentioned. “That hope was a part of the rationale we determined to start out this challenge.”
The movie might be launched in Korea on Nov. 19.
BY KIM JI-YE [[email protected]]
