Sue credits ‘smooth-sailing’ shoot of Fil-Korean film to mutual respect

MANILA, Philippines — Sue Ramirez had a taste of the famous Korean style of filmmaking while doing the film Sunshine Family, a co-production of the country’s Spring Films and the Korean film studio Film Line Productions.

The movie, which is based on the award-winning 1992 Japanese film, The Hit-And-Run Family, was shot entirely in South Korea last year. Sue said that the various locations they filmed at for almost a month were not the usual, touristy areas. “We got to places you don’t see in postcards, you don’t see in pictures quite often, but equally beautiful as the ones people come to Korea to see.”

The 22-year-old actress talked about her experience working with a Korean crew, leading man Shinwoo of the K-pop idol group Blanc 7 and director Kim Tai Sik, who is behind the 2007 international filmfest favorite Driving with My Wife’s Lover.

“They’re super quiet (workers). If it’s work, it’s really work. They’re on time always,” she said. “They’re very considerate in the sense that they’re very strict with the rest periods that they give us.”

Sue with Korean leading man Shinwoo of Blanc7 in a scene from the film.

On Shinwoo: “Shinwoo was very nice and he’s so cute, he asked us to teach him Tagalog words, tapos kung ano-anong kalokohan ang tinuturo namin sa kanya. It was a very fun experience and we got to sing together. We have recorded an English song that will become a part of the film. It was really fun. It was a great experience.”

On director Kim: “He’s very calm. One of the most gentle people I know. Never did I see him angry or run out of patience. If you notice K-dramas, there’s minimal acting, kumbaga di katulad sa atin na ang laki ng reaction natin. Like me, I have big, expressive eyes, so, naloloka sila na ang laki-laki (ng reaction) so the director tells me to tone down a little bit. That’s the adjustment I have to make.”

Sue admitted that she was expecting to undergo difficulties because of the language barrier. “It’s a big factor, the workplace, and how you communicate with each other. Of course, the culture is different, the humor is different, the way of living is really different, if you compare the Philippines to Korea, but (surprisingly) it was very smooth-sailing.”

She further credited the smooth-sailing shoot to mutual respect. “I feel that it all started with respect — respect for each other, for the culture of the countries involved in the negotiation (for this film). The storytelling fell into place and ran smoothly because of that respect. In the middle of everything and while everyone was working, the culture of Koreans was respected at the same time, the culture of the Filipinos was respected.”

“We met in between. There was a middle ground so it was easier to communicate with each other,” she added. 

Sue with Sunshine Family costars Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino, and Marco Masa.

Asked what the Koreans say about Filipinos, Sue shared, “The Filipinos, in terms of work ha, maingay tayo para sa kanila because sobrang direct to the point sila, like ito lang gagawin nila. They’re very, very professional, work is fast because there’s no tsismis on the side. It’s all work. That’s the biggest difference, but I think na medyo bilib din sila sa atin because we are able to make the workplace happy, kumbaga, work is not just work, we make it our way of living and our source of happiness and inspiration.”

Doing Sunshine Family marked Sue’s first time to shoot a film abroad, but it was her second time in Korea that time because Sue happens to be a tourism ambassador for the Asian country since 2016. 

“I’m very lucky to have been chosen as Korean tourism ambassador. A part of my duties is everytime they have events, I have to be present and I have to perform,” said Sue. “The biggest responsibility, I think, and the easiest to do, for me, because Filipinos love everything Korean — K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, K-skincare, everything, so the work for Korea tourism is so easy for me. All I have to do is promote the tourism of Korea, which is already loved by the Filipinos.”

As tourism ambassador, she doesn’t receive a talent fee, but all her travels to South Korea are free. Her contract stipulates that she goes to the country at least once a year. “But they always come with a show. Recently, I went to Korea with Pia Wurtzbach for her travel show on Metro Channel. I was the one who toured her.”

Nevertheless, shooting abroad isn’t only about showcasing another country. “We’re shooting in another country not just to showcase its beauty, but also to show our culture to them,” she said, stressing that the film is very Filipino.

For her, Sunshine Family mirrors the Filipino family. “It’s close to the heart — when you talk about families, especially parents. In terms of social issues, we children have secrets here. The good thing about the film is that despite the family members’ differences, they become united when they go through tough times. The film shows that when one family goes through something, it just makes them stronger — and happier together when they survive it.”

Sunshine Family opens in cinemas on June 5.