"It's Complete Only When Together" Ryu Seung-ryong·Ha Jiwon·Kim Si-a Reveal the Heart of 'Portrait of A Family'

Ryu Seung-ryong, Ha Jiwon, and Kim Si-a, the main stars of the upcoming film "Portrait of A Family", have personally shared the special meaning behind the title.

"Portrait of A Family" is an intense family saga directed by Lee Jee-won ("Miss Baek"). The film follows top-star couple Jung-gu (Ryu Seung-ryong) and Nam-mi (Ha Jiwon), whose marriage collapses following the unexpected appearance of Jung-gu's daughter, Dong-ju (Kim Si-a). Eight years later, when Dong-ju gets caught in a shocking incident, the couple risks everything they have left to uncover the truth and save her.

The intriguing original Korean title, "Bi-gwang" (the Korean title of "Portrait of A Family"), was inspired by Director Lee Jee-won watching a family gathered together playing Go-Stop. Bi-gwang, one of the cards in Hwatu (Korean playing cards), holds a unique position—it is neither a regular card nor a fully standard "Bright" card on its own. While a set of three Bright cards excluding Bi-gwang is worth 3 points, three Bright cards that include Bi-gwang yield only 2 points. However, Bi-gwang is essential to complete the ultimate "5 Brights" hand. Although incomplete on its own, Bi-gwang attains its full meaning only when combined with others, serving as a key thematic element that symbolizes family solidarity and hope.

The actors also deeply connected with the symbolism of the title and shared their personal interpretations. Regarding the title, Ryu Seung-ryong stated, "It carries a dual meaning—that while incomplete on its own, coming together creates true strength." Ha Jiwon commented, "It is a succinct title that captures the movie's message and fits the project so well. It represents something that might not always feel precious in everyday life, but is an indispensable presence that must be there in critical moments." Kim Si-a also expressed her affection for the film, offering her take: "It represents an existence that may seem humble alone, but shines even brighter when together."

Furthermore, Nam-mi's narration in the film expands on this title's meaning even further. The narration—"On a rainy day, a frog was leaping to catch hold of a weeping willow so as not to be swept away by the raging current. It leaped and fell, and fell again, but the frog did not give up and finally caught the willow to survive"—shows that Bi-gwang is not merely an image of a rainy day, but a symbol of perseverance and effort in overcoming adversity.

This resonates directly with the narrative of Jung-gu, a former star baseball player who fell to rock bottom in an instant, before risking everything to stand back up to protect his daughter. True to the message and sentiment carried in its title, "Portrait of A Family" promises to deliver deep emotional resonance through the story of people who become each other's pillar of strength in moments of crisis.

Portraying a poignant story of individuals who shine brighter together, just like its title, "Portrait of A Family" is scheduled to hit theaters on September 2. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)