Why 'The King and the Clown' director took on short-form dramas, often dismissed as cheap entertainment
When “My Father’s Table” opened at Lotte Cinema theaters nationwide Sept. 9, it filled only about a third of the screen, right down the middle. Originally intended as a short-form drama for smartphones, the production was shot vertically from the outset. Its 61 episodes, each roughly two minutes long, were then assembled into a 146-minute feature. It marks the first theatrical release of a…
When "My Father's Table" premiered nationwide on September 9, it only filled about a third of the Lotte Cinema screens. Initially conceived as a short-form drama designed for smartphones, the series comprised 61 episodes, each lasting roughly two minutes. These shorter segments were later compiled into a 146-minute feature film, marking the first theatrical release of a short-form drama in Korea, with no known precedents overseas.
The director of this innovative project is Lee Joon-ik, known for his 2005 hit "The King and the Clown," which attracted over 10 million viewers. The decision to produce a short-form drama was a significant and initially uncomfortable choice for Lee, who expressed this sentiment during an interview at Kidari Studio's offices in Seoul's Seongdong District on the film's opening day.
Despite the current dismissal of short-form dramas in Korea, this new venture represents a bold step forward for the next generation of filmmakers.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
