i-dle’s Shuhua to Make Her Leading Film Debut at the Toronto International Film Festival
i-dle member Shuhua will make her debut as a lead actress on the international stage with her first starring film.
Her movie, Happy and Joyful Days, has been officially invited to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will take place from September 10 to 20.
Happy and Joyful Days tells the story of two sisters with completely different personalities whose peaceful lives are disrupted after a stray cat unexpectedly enters their lives.
The film is directed by Fiona Roan (Peng Ai), whose previous work American Girl earned the Golden Horse Award for Best New Director, as well as the FIPRESCI Prize and the Audience Award.
Shuhua plays Lin Jiaqi, the cheerful and innocent youngest daughter of the family. Through her encounters with the stray cat, her character gradually grows while navigating her relationships with her family.
Known for showcasing a variety of charms as a performer on stage, Shuhua is expanding her career into acting with her first leading role on the big screen.
The Toronto International Film Festival is one of North America’s largest and most prestigious film festivals. Its Special Presentations section features new works from internationally recognized directors and actors. Previous Korean films invited to the section include Mother and Parasite by Bong Joon Ho, as well as The Handmaiden by Park Chan-wook.
Commenting on the invitation, Shuhua said she could hardly believe the news and felt honored to stand on an international stage with her first film.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news. It’s a great honor to be able to stand on an international stage with such a wonderful team for my very first project. I hope everyone who watches the film can relate to Lin Jiaqi’s story, find comfort in it, and feel the sincerity of the film.”
Meanwhile, i-dle is scheduled to perform at Lollapalooza Chicago on July 31 (local time) before concluding its Syncopation world tour with concerts in Macau on August 29 and 30.
