A collection of challenge posts for the film "Still Brilliant" [Created with ChatGPT]
A collection of challenge posts for the film "Still Brilliant" [Created with ChatGPT]

As actor Kim Hye-ja makes their return to the big screen for the first time in nine years, fellow actors and moviegoers are rallying behind the new film through an SNS challenge.

A parody challenge based on the main poster of the film "Still Brilliant" has been spreading across social media, with participants sharing images of themselves receiving love and comfort from Kim.

The original poster shows Kim gazing warmly at her friend Jeong-im (played as a young woman by Choi Ju-eun), gently cupping her cheek. In the challenge, participants swap out Jeong-im's face for their own, creating the illusion that Kim is looking at them with that same tender expression — as if offering them personal comfort.

The challenge began with moviegoers who saw the film at early previews, then gained momentum as younger actors who admire Kim joined in. Ko Hyun-jung, who starred alongside Kim in the drama series "Dear My Friends," was among those who participated, along with Jo Seong-ha, Yang Gyeong-won and Jeong Eun-pyo. The popular animated character Hachuphing also drew attention by taking part in the challenge.

Challenge posts for the film "Still Brilliant" [Created with ChatGPT]
Challenge posts for the film "Still Brilliant" [Created with ChatGPT]

"Still Brilliant" is set in 1942 during Japan's colonial rule of Korea and follows Sunok (played by Kim Hye-ja), who reunites after 60 years with her closest childhood friend — the person with whom she shared the most radiant moments of her life. The film portrays the bittersweet friendship between two girls: Jeong-im, who had a gift for singing, and Sunok, her steadfast supporter. The two had dreamed of going to Seoul together, but were seized by Japanese soldiers who lured young women with promises of factory work only to conscript them as comfort women, leaving their dreams unfulfilled. The film opened Wednesday.

"Still Brilliant" has also posted strong audience ratings, raising expectations for its box office performance.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, the film scored 9.9 out of 10 in audience ratings on its opening day Wednesday. The Golden Egg index — a film rating service run by multiplex chain CGV — stood at 96 percent.

Moviegoers have been effusive in their praise. "A film that keeps coming back to you — the lingering feeling stays with you for a long time," wrote one viewer. Another said, "It was truly moving. The brilliant days of two girls who never gave up on their dreams, even amid the pain of history, seem to pose a deep question to those of us living today." Others added, "I recommended it to people I know the moment I walked out. It is a story we must never forget," and "The most lingering film I've seen recently."


carrier@heraldcorp.com