Mr. Idol (2011 Film)

Mr. Idol (Korean: Mr. 아이돌) is a 2011 South Korean musical drama film directed by Ra Hee-Chan. The film explores the competitive world of the South Korean music industry, focusing on the efforts of a music executive to reform a defunct idol group.

Promotional image for the film Mr. Idol — Promotional poster for the film Mr. Idol.

Plot

The story follows Oh Goo-Joo (Park Ye-Jin), a music executive who returns to South Korea three years after the death of the lead vocalist of the idol band "Mr. Children." Upon her return, she encounters Lee Yoo-Jin (Ji Hyun-Woo), a travel guide assistant, after a mix-up involving their luggage at the airport. While Goo-Joo is offered a position at the prominent talent agency Star Music, she declines the offer, choosing instead to reunite the remaining members of Mr. Children. To complete the group, she initiates an open audition to find a new lead singer. Yoo-Jin, who previously trained with a talent agency before his own group was dismissed, eventually crosses paths with Goo-Joo again during the audition process, leading to a complex professional and personal dynamic as she attempts to recruit him.

Production

The film was produced by Kim Sung-Chul with a screenplay written by Lee Gyu-Bok and Ra Hee-Chan. During its development, the project was known by the working title Happy Together. Principal photography commenced on February 28, 2011, with the first scenes filmed in the vicinity of Hongik University in Seoul. Production concluded on June 9, 2011, with the final scene filmed on the Han River Bridge, featuring actors Ji Hyun-Woo and Park Ye-Jin.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast, including:

Park Ye-Jin as Oh Goo-Joo
Ji Hyun-Woo as Lee Yoo-Jin
Kim Soo-Ro as Sa Hee-Moon
Lim Won-Hee as Park Sang-Sik
Park Jae-Beom as Jio
Jang Seo-Won as Hyun-Yi
Kim Randy as Ricky

U-Kiss made a cameo appearance in the film.

Film still — A scene from the production of Mr. Idol.