Synopsis
There are two men who don't match 99 out of 100 things, but one thing is right: music. The musician 'Ji-hoon (Park Chan-yeol)' whose musical talent explodes only when he uses a box, and the producer 'Min-soo (Jo Dal-hwan)' who has no money but has an instinctive sense for music. By chance, 'Min-soo' discovers 'Ji-hoon' and insists on doing 10 performances together, starting their journey.
Seeing only 'Ji-hoon's' talent, 'Min-soo' pushes for 10 busking performances, while 'Ji-hoon', who smells something fishy but is overflowing with confidence, follows 'Min-soo'. With each performance of world-famous songs, they rush toward the climax, bringing overwhelming emotion and surprise, guiding the audience into a musical journey.
About Movie
World-famous songs by Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Chet Baker, Mariah Carey, etc.
A festival of busking unfolds in domestic HIP places.
One of the biggest viewing points of <The Box> is that it fills the screen with world-famous songs that have never been heard in any domestic movie before. In beautiful backgrounds like Incheon, Jeonju, Gyeongju, Yeosu, Ulsan, Ganjeolgot, and Busan, Park Chan-yeol sings songs that stimulate the five senses with his charming deep voice as an instrument. These songs are made up of tracks by top artists like Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Pharrell Williams, Chet Baker, and Mariah Carey, delighting the audience's eyes and ears and making the runtime fly by.
Moreover, they present increasingly complete busking stages every time they move locations, keeping the audience eagerly anticipating what comes next. In particular, the fantasy scenes featuring Billie Eilish's [bad guy], Louis Armstrong's [what a wonderful world], and Coldplay's [a sky full of stars] appearing in the early, middle, and late parts are truly spectacular, overwhelming viewers as if a grand concert unfolds before their eyes. These scenes also boast a point of differentiation from other films, showcasing the strengths of director Yang Jeong-woong, who has created remarkable stage productions. He highlights the genre of music film in <The Box> while transforming domestic HIP places into stunning stages, creating the pinnacle of busking with splendid music.
The charming voice of artist Park Chan-yeol
The meeting of Korea's Mark Ruffalo, the versatile actor Jo Dal-hwan
Park Chan-yeol and Jo Dal-hwan will showcase a strangely delightful chemistry along with famous songs. It would not be an exaggeration to say that <The Box> is a discovery of Park Chan-yeol and Jo Dal-hwan. First, he introduces himself as actor 'Park Chan-yeol' through the movie <The Box> from EXO. He leads the atmosphere with a dazzling performance, showcasing an irresistible charm, and has shown his acting side through various genres of dramas. This time, he returns with a character that fits him like a tailored suit, raising expectations. It is precisely that his charming deep voice can be enjoyed to the fullest. He variates world-famous songs with his unique deep voice, proudly showcasing his long-accumulated artist persona, enhancing the film's melody.
Jo Dal-hwan also reached the top in <The Box>, delicately expressing a character that has fallen from grace. He portrays a charismatic figure who sharply judges music and shows loyalty to the artist he discovered, along with scenes where he knows the best restaurants in the story, conveying professionalism and a sense of humanity that brings the film's drama to life. Moreover, he displays a tic-tac-toe chemistry with Park Chan-yeol, who plays the stoic and emotionally inept 'Ji-hoon'. In particular, his journey of discovering a hidden gem and turning it into a jewel evokes the image of Korea's 'Mark Ruffalo', immersing the audience in the film's story.
Character & Cast
“I can't sing in front of those people”
The genius musician 'Ji-hoon' hiding in the box | Park Chan-yeol
With genius talent and a burning passion for music, 'Ji-hoon' is a parking lot employee in an old building. 'Min-soo', who is captivated by his singing, suddenly presents a hastily scribbled contract, promising to put him on a big stage after 10 rehearsals. However, 'Ji-hoon', who is afraid to sing in front of people due to trauma, cannot readily accept it. Upon learning of 'Ji-hoon's' stage fright, 'Min-soo' suggests that he sing while using a box. Hesitant, 'Ji-hoon' decides to trust him once and enters the box that 'Min-soo' provided, starting to sing his own songs.
Returning as an artist to an actor, Park Chan-yeol plays a genius musician with a fear of the stage, singing a sincere story. In this work, he showcases his unique husky voice through singing, guitar, and drum performances, as well as participating in songwriting, revealing his solid musical world that he has built over a long time as an artist.
“I'll help you make money”
The carefree producer 'Min-soo' | Jo Dal-hwan
Having reached the pinnacle as a record planner with the ability to turn raw stones into jewels, 'Min-soo' is now a broke producer with nothing but loan shark debts. He lives by the motto that life is all about style and always dreams of another success. One day, he hears intense potential in 'Ji-hoon's' song and abruptly presents a contract, but 'Ji-hoon' refuses, saying he cannot sing in front of people due to trauma. After much persuasion, 'Min-soo' cannot give up the raw stone he has just found, and eventually 'Ji-hoon' changes his mind, and the two begin a journey of 10 busking performances across the country.
Jo Dal-hwan, a versatile entertainer who excels in acting and variety shows, delivers another outstanding performance.
Director
“I hope this film can wash away the traumas that exist in everyone through music.”
Screenplay/Director Yang Jeong-woong
Yang Jeong-woong, awarded the directing award at the 2009 Korea Theater Awards, is regarded as a genius of mise-en-scène representing Korean theater. He possesses a natural talent for capturing both Korean and global sentiments. He has adapted Shakespeare's works into traditional aesthetics, becoming the first Korean theater to perform at the London Globe Theatre, receiving high praise as “the national treasure of Korea.” He also directed the opening ceremony of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and he is actively working in various fields beyond his main stage of theater, now embarking on a new challenge in film.
Music Director
Music Director Echo Bridge
Echo Bridge, a songwriter active in various fields such as composer, album producer, and arranger, who composed Jeong Yeop's [Nothing Better], participates as the music director of <The Box>, enhancing the glamorous tracklist. His musical world, which leads to warm interactions between music and people, enriches the journey of Ji-hoon and Min-soo as they take a step forward together through music.