On Saturday, June 10th, the “Smoking Tigers” cast presented by AT&T Untold Stories joined a talkback following the film’s screening. The talkback discussed the casting, raw emotions and moments in the script, and experience working as an emblemed cast.
Panelist Host: You capture so many different worlds within the film it centers around Hagwon and how the characters are caught between two worlds. Low-income family life and the middle-class rich kids who are bratty and go to hagwon. I have to imagine casting for this film was crucial because you had to show all of these different sides. I would love to know what that process was like?
So Young Shelly Yo– Casting was tricky, but I’m lucky to be among such an amazing cast. I think for our character Hayoung especially we were looking for someone tender but tenacious.
Panelist Host: I would love to know what you thought of when you first read the script to see a character with so many sorts of sides, Is it something you come across often?
Ji-young Yoo- Definitely not, especially ones written as Korean-American especially. It really never comes across my desk this was something that was really interesting because Hagwon isn’t very known outside of Korea, also the script was very honest and moving I really liked it.
Panelist Host: I’m very curious about how you rehearse scenes because every world was kinda different. What were all of your approaches working with Shelly especially doing an Indie film? You don’t get a lot of time to shoot so I would love to know how you all prepared for this?
Ji-young Yoo: There was a competition amongst the kids on set to see who would get it in one take. We all really clicked it was a very comfortable environment led by Shelly.
Jung Joon Ho- Our director Shelly made all of us feel comfortable. she directs with such precision and care, so I was almost nervous to give my best performance. All of the actors I worked with on this film were so passionate about the film and work so it was a great experience to be on set with them.
Erin Yoo- This was my first experience as an actor. I have been behind the scenes before, but as an actor, it was such a different but wonderful experience so I’m very thankful to be here. Most times I was nervous that I would ruin the take so we would be more out of time, I tried to put on a poker face so I don’t look too nervous but Shelly’s such a gentle director, If she had any private comments she wouldn’t say it in front of everyone, she would just take me aside and give her notes and I appreciated that. Everyone on set was so nice and I learned from all of these wonderful actors and had so much fun so thank you, everyone.
“Smoking Tigers” is the first Untold Stories film to make it to the festivals U.S Narrative Competition.
