As Lee Seung-gi's first film in six years, 'Big Family' is set to be released in five days, but it is struggling to gain momentum. The pre-booking rate is 2.7%, ranking second, with 10,000 tickets sold.
The film depicts a heartwarming and touching family human comedy about a restaurant owner (played by Kim Yoon-seok) of a dumpling shop 'Pyeongmanok', which has lost its lineage due to his son (played by Lee Seung-gi) becoming a monk, and the arrival of adorable grandchildren he has never seen before.
This is the latest work from director Yang, who previously directed 'The Attorney' and 'Steel Rain'. With 'The Attorney' (2013), which depicted the legal battle of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, attracting 11.37 million viewers, Yang is returning with 'Big Family' after four years following 'Steel Rain' and 'Steel Rain 2'. Despite his unusual solo media interviews for promotion without the lead actors, it seems to be insufficient.
Previously, Lee Seung-gi faced controversies and rumors related to his in-laws after marrying actress Lee Da-in. His father-in-law, the husband of actress Gyeon Mi-ri, who was indicted for stock manipulation, had his not guilty verdict overturned by the Supreme Court's remand decision last June.
In official events for 'Big Family', Lee Seung-gi responded to related questions, stating, "It seems my past remark that 'the family is not at fault' has caused misunderstandings. I believe matters related to my in-laws are separate. Since I got married, I have become independent from my parents, and my wife has also become independent from her family, so we have established our own household. I think it is not appropriate to add anything further. If there has been any misunderstanding, I feel I should act more cautiously in the future," taking a firm stance.
'Big Family' is a human family drama that tells the story of the reconciliation between the self-made man Ham Mu-ok (played by Kim Yoon-seok) and superstar monk Moon-seok (played by Lee Seung-gi), as well as the changing concept and meaning of family.
Mu-ok has never had a peaceful day. He experienced the pain of the Korean War in his childhood, worked tirelessly in his youth to make a living, and now finds himself in a situation where his lineage is at risk. Similarly, Moon-seok, who became a monk from a smart and diligent medical student, always speaks good words and smiles, but his heart is filled with anger and sadness. He goes home for every ritual but finds it difficult to share a proper meal with his father due to their awkwardness and discomfort.
One day, pitiful children appear before them. They claim to be Moon-seok's biological children. With the arrival of grandchildren, Mu-ok enjoys happiness with an innocent smile, while a bewildered Moon-seok prioritizes fact-checking. However, these children have a secret about their birth. The story unfolds as they untangle their respective complicated threads.
Director Yang explained, "The 'Big' in the title 'Big Family' does not mean 'large' but rather 'to face'. The story unfolds around Mu-ok (played by Kim Yoon-seok), who believes the world raised him, spanning three generations. It is a story of how someone with very traditional thinking expands and accepts the meaning of family, ultimately leading to everyone's growth."
He continued, "I believe the most important topic in our society right now is 'family'. Even in entertainment, we have been focusing on family members for years. Family is the last thing to change in humanity, but it has changed significantly in recent years. I think this is an extraordinary phenomenon. In that sense, I felt a necessity to talk about family. It is a story about different yet similar narratives, amidst the diverse changes regarding what concepts should change and what should remain unchanged."
The film is set to be released on the 11th.
