The film The Journey to Gyeongju, starring Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon, has been officially invited to the 24th Florence Korea Film Fest following its selection for the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival, signaling an unusually strong international response.
The Journey to Gyeongju is a family revenge drama that follows four mothers who set out on a “deadly” journey after eight years of waiting, seeking justice for their youngest daughter, Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip.
The film successfully held its world premiere at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival, which took place from October 16 to 26, 2025. The festival described the work as “a film that delicately combines dark humor with emotional intensity,” praising director Kim Mi-jo’s solid storytelling and the powerful ensemble performances delivered by Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon.
Following the screening, the theater was filled with an atmosphere of shock, deep emotion, and intense energy. Director Kim Mi-jo and actress Lee Jung-eun, who plays the role of the mother “Ok-sil,” personally attended a GV session, engaging in in-depth conversations with the audience and receiving enthusiastic responses.
The passionate reception in Hawaii is set to continue in Italy. The Journey to Gyeongju has been officially invited to the Korean Horizons section of the 24th Florence Korea Film Fest, which runs from March 19 to 28. This section is regarded as a core competition program that introduces carefully selected works presenting new perspectives in Korean cinema.
Jang Eun-young, Vice Chair of the Florence Korea Film Fest, explained the selection by stating, “This film breaks the conventional framework of revenge movies. It expresses the grief and anger of losing a loved one through sharp humor, leaving a deep and powerful resonance with audiences.”
She also praised director Kim Mi-jo, saying, “The unique direction, in which hidden family conflicts gradually emerge through the flow of the story, completes a film with a deeply personal atmosphere,” drawing attention to her fresh and distinctive directorial style.
Having generated passionate reactions at international film festivals, The Journey to Gyeongju is heightening anticipation among audiences and is scheduled to meet viewers in theaters in 2026.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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