"Fresh, cute, and utterly lovable!" – Gong Myung
Actors Gong Myung and Shin Eun-soo promise heart-fluttering youth in their upcoming film. Set in 1998, it tells the story of a student transferring from Seoul to Busan, blending first love with nostalgic memories.
The film recreates the essence of the late '90s, featuring H.O.T, Pippi, disposable cameras, comic books, and other cultural icons of the era, evoking strong nostalgia for audiences. Director Nam Gung-seon described it as "a film full of healthy, pure energy. The more you watch, the more endearing each character becomes, naturally bringing a smile to your face."
The Netflix original History of Confessions held a press showcase on August 25 at Hotel Naru Seoul M Gallery, attended by Gong Myung, Shin Eun-soo, Cha Woo-min, Yoon Sang-hyun, and director Nam.
The romantic comedy follows 19-year-old Park Se-ri (Shin Eun-soo), who sets out to confess her feelings to a popular classmate, only to unexpectedly fall in love with the transfer student Han Yoon-seok (Gong Myung).
Gong Myung, who plays Yoon-seok, focused on portraying the character's subtle loneliness despite his bright exterior. "It was a soft, heartwarming story I personally wanted to see as a viewer," Gong said. He also worked carefully to depict the awkwardness of being a new student fitting in.
Shin Eun-soo plays Se-ri, a girl who has never successfully confessed due to her curly hair but maintains a positive attitude. "The script had a power to bring happiness," she said, noting that after frequently playing cynical roles, she was eager to try a bright character. She devoted herself to mastering Busan dialect nuances, even memorizing the entire script to perfect her delivery. Director Nam praised her, saying, "Her flawless dialect work made Se-ri explosively cute."
The film's setting evokes nostalgia for late '90s pop culture. Yoon Sang-hyun's character Baek Sung-rae sports a 5:5 parted hairstyle reminiscent of H.O.T's Kangta. Director Nam said, "The era's pop culture opened new worlds for young people then. It will bring nostalgia to those who lived it and novelty to new viewers."
The story also addresses typical teenage insecurities. Se-ri suffers from her curly hair, blaming her appearance for failed confessions. Nam explained, "It reflects the struggles of teens obsessed with looks and asks the question: must we change what we are born with?"
Finally, Nam emphasized, "This is a film full of teens who live for small moments. If viewers open their hearts, they'll find themselves smiling throughout."
Gong Myung added, "I hope to show the purest image of youth I can. It's my last chance to wear a school uniform, so I gave it my all. Please enjoy it."
History of Confessions premieres on August 29.
