Actor Ho Jo Invited to Fantasia International Film Festival with Short Film 'IDOLS'

Actor Ho Jo has been invited to an international film festival for a short film.

The short film 'IDOLS,' starring Ho Jo, has been officially invited to the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival, which will be held in Montreal, Canada, on the 16th, with a world premiere screening confirmed. Since its inception in 1996, the Fantasia International Film Festival has been regarded as one of the world's premier genre film festivals.

'IDOLS' is the latest work by British writer and director Matt Halsall. It is a doppelganger thriller that tells the story of a failed idol trainee who bears a striking resemblance to South Korea's top superstar. Set against the dark side of the global pop culture phenomenon known as K-pop, the film sharply examines themes of obsession, identity, fame, and its consequences. Filmed in Seoul, it vividly captures the unique atmosphere and reality of the K-pop industry.

Ho Jo plays a dual role. Ho Jo leads the film by simultaneously portraying Park Hye-mi, a superstar at the pinnacle of her career, and Kim Min-ha, a trainee who admires her. The actor is expected to drive the tension of the film by delicately distinguishing the emotions and psychology of the two characters living different lives at opposite ends of the fame spectrum.

'IDOLS' is a global project produced and invested in by the Japanese streaming platform Samansa, involving production staff from various countries. The film's quality was further enhanced by the participation of music director Mowg, known for 'I Saw the Devil' and 'Burning,' and producer Pierce Conran, an expert in Korean cinema.

Ho Jo recently received immense love from global viewers through season 3 of the Netflix series 'XO, Kitty.' Having participated in both season 2 and season 3, Ho Jo left a deep impression by showcasing an expanded narrative for the character 'Ji-won.' The actor was praised for playing a central role in the series by stably portraying the character's gradual growth.

Following 'XO, Kitty,' Ho Jo continues to expand the scope of their activities with the Fantasia International Film Festival selection 'IDOLS.'

Meanwhile, 'IDOLS,' featuring Ho Jo, is scheduled to meet global audiences for the first time as part of the official lineup of the Fantasia International Film Festival.

(Photo courtesy of the film 'IDOLS')

Reported by Kim Ji-hye | Produced by SBS Entertainment News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.