Hong Sang-soo Unveils 'The Day She Returns' at Berlinale; Kim Min-hee Credited as Production Manager

Hong Sang-soo’s 34th feature, ‘The Day She Returns,’ had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.

The premiere took place on the 18th (local time) at Zoo Palast in Berlin, Germany. The film screened in Panorama, the festival’s non-competitive section.

As with most of Hong’s recent work, the film debuted on the international festival circuit before any domestic release. Until its festival premiere, both the title and plot were kept under wraps.

Revealed in Berlin, ‘The Day She Returns’ follows actress Bae Jeong-su (played by Song Seon-mi), who had paused her career due to marriage and divorce, as she returns via an independent film and spends a day giving interviews to reporters. The cast includes Song Seon-mi in the lead, with Jo Yoon-hee, Park Mi-so, Ha Seong-guk, and Shin Seok-ho.

Kim Min-hee―Hong’s longtime on-screen muse, who gave birth to the director’s son last April―does not appear in this film and is credited solely as production manager. With the story centering on an actress who has given birth, some observers wondered if the theme was influenced by Kim.

During the post-screening Q&A, Hong said, “I usually start with an actor. The character and image are already there, and the rest of the time is just execution. Execution is not discovery,” adding, “To endure such a tedious, lengthy process, most people need motivations like fame or money, but I have very little of that.”

“The fact that Bae Jeong-su’s interview responses are repeated but change slightly each time reflects something very realistic: that’s what we do as humans. We constantly distort our memories and are never able to remember things with complete accuracy,” he added.

North American rights were acquired by The Cinema Guild, which said, “Hong Sang-soo’s magic is endless. Watching this film felt like discovering that magic all over again,” signaling strong enthusiasm for the title.

Since 2020’s "The Woman Who Ran," Hong has been invited to the Berlinale for seven consecutive years. His awards there include multiple Silver Bears for "On the Beach at Night Alone" (Best Actress, Kim Min-hee), "The Woman Who Ran" (Best Director), "Introduction" (Best Screenplay), "The Novelist’s Film" (Grand Jury Prize), and "A Traveler’s Needs" (Grand Jury Prize), underscoring the festival’s steadfast support.

‘The Day She Returns’ is also set for a domestic release. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)