Lee Sun-kyun of Oscar Winner ‘Parasite’ to Be Honored at Asian Pop-Up Cinema Chicago

The Midwest Premiere is here for KILLING ROMANCE starring Lee Sun-kyun, who played the father in the first Oscar-winning film from a non-English speaking movie, PARASITE. Sun-kyun will be in Chicago for to receive an Award for Excellent Achievement in Film and present his new comedy, KILLING ROMANCE, as the Closing Night film of Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s Season 17.

Sun-kyun’s role in the 2020 Academy Award winning PARASITE brought him international fame and he will be in Chicago for the first time since the film won four Oscars.

Your First Look at KILLING ROMANCE

An unconventional movie that goes against traditional romance films, KILLING ROMANCE stars Hwang Yeo-Rae is mocked for her poor acting skills, so she quits the entertainment industry and marries a wealthy man. When the marriage results in her becoming a prisoner in her own home, Hwang Yeo-Rae decides to go back to her old life and turns to her friendly neighbor for help. Featuring some of South Korea’s best acting talent, including Lee Sun Kyun, who is the second ever recipient of APUC’s “Excellent Achievement in Film” Award. KILLING ROMANCE is a delightfully comedic, cinematic masterpiece and the perfect closing film for this festival season.

Here is your first look at KILLING ROMANCE…

Full Details for Closing Night

WHEN: Saturday, October 7 – Film award presentation starts at 7:15pm, film screens at 7:30pm and the Q&A with actor Lee Sun-kyun is at 9:45pm. Director Lee Won Suk will join Lee Sun-kyun with an introduction to the film and the Q&A.

WHERE: AMC New City 14 – 1500 N. Clybourn Ave, 4^th floor parking

WHO: Cast and Crew scheduled to attend include:

• Lee Won Suk – Director 
• Lee Sun-kyun- Actor (Parasite)
• Park Dong-hee (Director of DRIVE; the 2:30pm South Korean film)
• Jonah Zeiger, Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Film Office, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events 
• Sophia Wong Boccio- Founder & Executive Director of Asian Pop-Up Cinema
• Consul General Kim – South Korea (Chicago) 
• Ron Falzone- moderator and Columbia College Film professor
• Sophia’s Choice Governing Board of Directors and interpreter 

In addition, there is a star-studded CLOSING NIGHT GALA where Lee Sun-kyun, Director Lee Won-Suk and Director Park Dong-Hee from the 2:30pm screening DRIVE will attend a Red-Carpet Reception (5:30 – 7:00 PM) held at the MacGuffins Lounge & Bar at AMC NEWCITY 14. Media are welcome to attend.

Get to Know Lee Sun-Kyun

Lee made his debut on stage as Brad in the musical ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (2001). Then, after having his performances acknowledged with a number of supporting roles, he was finally noticed when he played in the popular TV series COFFEE PRINCE (2007) and BEHIND THE WHITE TOWER (2007). He then polished his acting caliber by teaming up with Hong Sang-soo in NIGHT AND DAY (2008). Lee has enjoyed popularity with broad audiences after appearing in the TV series PASTA (2010), and the film PETTY ROMANCE (2010). In 2012, he stormed the box office with HELPLESS (2011) and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012). The same year, he worked with HONG again for NOBODY’S DAUGHTER HAEWON (2012) and OUR SUNHI (2012).

His following works varied in genre, including the thriller A HARD DAY (2013) and a heartwarming TV series MY MISTER (2018). In 2019, Lee was brought to a much wider audience when he played in Bong Joon-ho’s PARASITE, which received the most prestigious award in the cinema world, the Palme d’Or of the Cannes Film Festival. In 2023, the two films he starred in, SLEEP and PROJECT SILENCE, were invited to Cannes Film Festival again.

Visit Asian Pop-Up Cinema for more information. 

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