The press conference for the film “No Heaven, But Love” was held on September 25, featuring director Han Jay and actresses Park Soo-yeon and Lee Yoo-mi.
“No Heaven, But Love” tells the story of love and friendship that blossomed in 1999, when the world was gripped by fears of the apocalypse. The film follows Joo-young (played by Park Soo-yeon), an 18-year-old aspiring taekwondo athlete, and Ye-ji (played by Lee Yoo-mi), a free-spirited girl, as they navigate the warmth and purity of their youth.
Teen Romance and Violence in Sports
Director Han Jay, known for delivering heart-wrenching queer romances in “Take Me Home”, tackles not only teenage love but also the dark underbelly of corruption and violence in the sports world in this film.
“The film integrates the severe issues of violence in the sports industry that were even worse back then, but at its core, it’s still a love story between the two characters,” said Director Han.
When asked about the challenges of portraying Joo-young’s queer storyline, Park Soo-yeon shared, “The emotions between the two were very clear, and I saw it as love. Joo-young is a pure-hearted character who rushes into love without doubt, which is her greatest strength.”
Lee Yoo-mi, who has previously portrayed many tragic characters, explained her attraction to the role of Ye-ji, “I was drawn to Ye-ji because she is Joo-young’s first love. It felt like reading a pure fairy tale, and I was moved by the idea of being someone’s first love.”
Director Han praised the actors’ performances and shared the casting process, “Ye-ji is a character who is prematurely mature and realistic. I couldn’t think of anyone but Lee Yoo-mi for the role because of her vulnerable yet courageous presence in the face of love. Joo-young, on the other hand, is bright and pure, the opposite of Ye-ji. Her bright energy was something I wanted to capture.”
A Tale of First Love in the Final Days of the Millennium
Interestingly, this year has seen a trend of films set in 1999, such as “Ms. Apocalypse” and “Victory”. The Y2K nostalgia that has swept the MZ generation has also made its way into the film industry.
Director Han said, “It seems like directors born in the ’80s are now at an age where they are actively creating works that reflect their formative years. Although smartphones have made life more convenient, they’ve also blurred the lines between work and rest. Back then, we were often out of touch with each other, using pagers, handwritten letters, and public phones. It feels like a longing for that analog purity.”
Despite being a low-budget film, the team paid great attention to detail in re-creating the late ’90s. “The production was incredibly detailed, down to the smallest props and decorations,” said Director Han.
The film’s soundtrack also perfectly captures the late ’90s vibe, featuring songs by artists like Jaurim, Koyote, Shinhwa, Baby V.O.X, and Go Ho-kyung, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
“No Heaven, But Love”, a poignant and heartwarming film that reminds us of our first love in those bittersweet days, will be released nationwide on October 16th.