"Soup and Ideology" Director Yang Yong-hee Depicts the moment when a mother's cooking transcends nation and ideology [Director's Interview Vol.213]

husband as producer

Q: I thought that director Yan's husband, Kaoru Arai, had a very large presence in this film. In particular, the T-shirt Arai-san is wearing makes me feel like I've been beaten (lol). When he goes to see his mother, he first appears in a suit, but when he changes to a Mickey Mouse T-shirt, it's shocking.

Yang: It's definitely Mickey Mouse. I thought it would be a big problem if there was a problem with copyright, so I consulted a lawyer. Thanks to you, I got the best lawyer in Japan (lol).

Q: That T-shirt required such a legal check (lol). It seems that Mr. Arai was in charge of managing the production costs as a producer while also appearing in the film.

Yang: I've been to Jeju Island and Osaka many times from Tokyo, and I create hand-drawn animation, so no matter how I look at it, I don't have enough money. So when I found out that I wouldn't be able to pay for meals for the staff during the editing period, I told him, ``I'm going to use your credit card a lot'' (lol).

“Soup and Ideology” (C) PLACE TO BE, Yang Yonghi

Q: (laughs) That's a tough declaration.

Jan: You worked hard and couldn't say no to the ship you were on. This time, I edited the book in South Korea, and one of the reasons is that the food is cheap and satisfying. It was already ingrained in me that I don't feel energized unless the food tastes good. At a Korean restaurant, you can get plenty of garlic and vegetables for around 800 to 1,000 yen per person.

I originally planned to do the editing work in Korea for about a year. However, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been extended to two years. During that time, if Arai had said something like ``Can't you do it yet?'' or ``When will you be able to do it?'' even once, I think we would have been nervous. But he never said it. What's more, Arai kept telling me, ``Don't skimp on the food.''

He has the title "executive" because the Korean staff suggested adding the title "executive" as a way of expressing their gratitude to Kaoru Arai. A Korean staff member said, ``This is the first time I've ever met a producer who told me, ``Don't skimp on your meal expenses.''

Arai is a freelance writer, and when he goes on business trips for reporting, he likes to eat delicious local food. But when I'm on a business trip and an editor tells me, ``Gyudon would be fine,'' I find that my motivation really drops. Since I went all the way to a region where seafood is delicious, I would have paid if I could just say, ``I'll have to split the bill, but let's eat some delicious food.''

Q: I also work as a producer, so I understand the story very well. My ears hurt (lol)

Pre-order “Soup and Ideology” now ↓

Director/Screenplay/Narration: Young Hee Yang

A second-generation Korean from Osaka. Earned master's degree in media studies from NY New School University, USA. After working as a high school teacher, active in a theater company, and as a radio personality, since 1995 he has been reporting on domestic and Asian countries and producing news programs and TV documentaries. The documentary film ``Dear Pyongyang'' (2005), which depicts his family with his father as the main character, won awards in various countries, including the Best Asian Film Award (NETPAC Award) at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival. It won numerous awards at film festivals and was released theatrically in Japan and South Korea. ``Sona'' (2009), which depicts the growth of his own niece, was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival, and many other theaters, and was released theatrically in Japan and South Korea. The first feature film that he wrote and directed, ``My Family'' (2012), won numerous awards at overseas film festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival and the International Art Theater Confederation Award (CICAE Award). Furthermore, it won many awards in Japan, including the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Picture, Kinema Junpo's Best Ten Japanese Films, and the Yomiuri Literary Award for Best Drama and Scenario. He is the author of the non-fiction book ``My Brother's Home'' (12/Shogakukan). The novel ``Korean University Story'' published in 2018 has been made into a paperback and is now on sale.

Interview and text: Tetsuya Inagaki

TV director. My personal goal is to realize a documentary project that depicts the obsessions of manga and movie creators. Programs he has directed in the past include ``The Godfather : The Man Who Revolutionized Manga'' (WOWOW), ``Takeshi's Birth: Master and Asakusa'' (NHK), ``Master and Disciple Story: The Encounter That Changed My Life'' [Masahiro Tanaka x Katsuya Nomura ] (NHK BS Premium).

"Soup and Ideology"

Released from Saturday, June 11th at Eurospace in Tokyo, Polepole Higashi-Nakano, Cinemart Shinsaibashi in Osaka, Seventh Art Theater, and other movie theaters nationwide!

Distribution: Dongfeng

（C）PLACE TO BE, Yang Yonghi

To coincide with the release of the movie “Soup and Ideology,” “Korean University Story” will be published in paperback on June 10, 2022 / Kadokawa Bunko, 800 yen + tax