[Busan=Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “Please help ‘Happily Ever After’ become a huge hit!”

After the press conference for “Happily Ever After,” held as part of the “Window on Asian Cinema” section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) at BIFF Hill in the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the 7th, Shu Hua personally approached domestic reporters to greet them.

Having made her screen debut with *Happily Ever After*, which has been screened at both the Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival, she expressed anticipation for this new challenge rather than nervousness.

That day, Shu Hua said, “It’s such an honor to be able to attend such a major film festival with my very first film,” adding, “I’m curious to see how the audience will feel after watching the film and what kind of reactions they’ll have.”

She continued, “I was very nervous at first, but I felt more anticipation than nervousness.”

“Happily Ever After” depicts the story of two sisters with completely different personalities whose seemingly peaceful daily lives are disrupted when a stray cat unexpectedly enters their lives. Shu Hua makes her screen debut playing the role of Lin Ziqi (Kitty), the youngest child in the family who is lively and innocent.

Shuhua also spoke about the differences between her idol activities and acting. “I’ve been acting for a long time, so getting used to the camera wasn’t difficult,” she said, “but I did struggle with the fact that while on stage I have to show my true self, on screen I have to convey the subtlest nuances.”

Director Feng Yi Fiona Luan explained her reason for casting Shu Hua, saying, “I think she’s been acting for a long time. The time she’s spent in front of the camera seems longer than the time we’ve spent with our own families.”

She continued, “Looking at it another way, I think it’s more accurate to say that Shuhua chose us,” adding, “We’re grateful that he chose our film for his screen debut.”

The actors who worked alongside Shuhua also shared their thoughts on the film and the festival. Jin Sun explained, “When I first received the script, I cried during several scenes,” adding, “There were similarities between me and the character—our past struggles were alike. That’s why I could empathize more deeply with the situations she faced.”

Chae Beom-hee revealed that this was his first time attending the Busan International Film Festival. “This is my first time at the Busan International Film Festival,” he said, adding, “I was so happy to see the actors I’d watched on the big screen in person at the festival’s opening ceremony.”

Director Feng Yi noted that this was his second visit to the Busan International Film Festival. “Two of the producers’ previous works have won awards here,” he said with a smile. “I was a tourist back then, but coming as a filmmaker this time gave me a whole new feeling.” He continued, “It was great to see so many people I’ve long admired while watching the opening ceremony yesterday.”

He also explained the film’s central theme, “happiness.” Director Feng Yi said, “The word ‘happiness’ appears very frequently in the film,” adding, “I think the word ‘happiness’ appears about 20 times in the movie.”

He added, “I want to use this film to discuss various forms of happiness. I believe happiness also includes worries, fears, and moments of uncertainty.”

Producer Lin Han commented on the invitation to the Busan International Film Festival, saying, “It is a great honor to be here at BIFF. I also feel that the film we created together is like an exam paper we submitted,” adding, “I’m both very nervous and excited.”

“Happily Ever After” is a Taiwanese film that won five awards, including the Best New Director Award, at the Golden Horse Film Festival, one of the leading film festivals in the Chinese-speaking world. Shu Hua also attended the film’s premiere at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, held in Toronto, Canada, on the 17th.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival is being held throughout Busan until the 15th at venues including the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, Lotte Cinema Centum City, the Korean Film Council’s Standard Screening Room, the Sohyang Theater Woori Bank Hall, and the Busan Viewers’ Media Center Public Hall.