Director Christine Yoo Provides A Unique Perspective In Her Film 'Wedding Palace'

The Korean American experience is fondly chronicled in the comedic film Wedding Palace. Directed by Christine Yoo, Wedding Palace stars Brian Tee, Kang Hye Jung, Margaret Cho, and Bobby Lee. Director Christine Yoo is a rarity in the male dominated film industry lending a feminine perspective to her projects. Wedding Palace incorporates a unique style of comedy by incorporating the very Korean nature of the film with the experience of Korean-Americans in Los Angeles. In this sense, Wedding Palace is unique from most Korean films that are filmed in the United States, but do not impart a comprehensive experience. On March 31, Wedding Palace was released through iTunes and Video On Demand.

Wedding Palace confronts the issues of societal pressures to get married and maintain filial duties. Upon being abandoned at the altar, Jason Kim (Brian Tee) is hesitant to reintroduce the concept of marriage into his life. While on a business trip to Korea, Jason falls in love with Na Young (Kang Hye Jung). Jason and Na Young then embark upon a long distance relationship which culminates in hijinks when they reunite in Los Angeles.

Wedding Palace features a musical score from Grammy Award nominated pianist David Benoit, with Korean indie artists Peppertones also contributing to the soundtrack. Wedding Palace is the first ever indie U.S.-Korea co-production, with shooting conducted in Los Angeles and Seoul.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Christine about her feature directorial debut,Wedding Palace.

Kdramastars:Wedding Palace features a talented cast that includes Asian American and Korean actors such as Margaret Cho and Bobby Lee. What were some of the challenges in casting for the film?

Christine Yoo:Casting the film was one of the most fun aspects of the whole process. There is so much Asian American talent out there that never gets seen, so the discovery aspect, finding who is out there, was really fun.

Kdramastars:The biggest challenge was casting the role of Brian Tee's mother. Finding a bi-lingual Korean actress who understood comedy. Jean Yoon, from Toronto sent in a tape. She is just in her 40's, not bi-lingual but she understood the comedy, so I decided to go with her. I have to give a lot of credit to the make-up department for transforming most of the actors within the "family" into their personas and characters.

Christine Yoo:As far as Korean actors, I was fortunate to work with seasoned professionals from Korean dramas, Hong Yeojin and Ki Ju Bong, who play Kang Hye-jung's parents. And I was excited to discover Song Yosep, the taxi cab driver. He was from the stage and this was just his 2nd film appearance but he was a revelation and became one of my favorite characters in the film.

Here is a clip from the official behind the scenes documentary that talks about casting the film:

Kdramastars:What inspired you to direct a film that chronicled aspects of the Korean American and Korean experience?

Christine Yoo:My family and my own experiences and observations.

Kdramastars:What was your directorial debut and other projects you have worked on?

Christine Yoo:Wedding Palace is my feature directing debut. I majored in film at USC made short films there. Prior to directing the film, I worked mainly as a screenwriter, including Afro Samurai, an anime series starring Samuel L. Jackson.

Kdramastars:What were some of the best experiences from directing Wedding Palace?

Christine Yoo:Shooting the family scenes were my favorite. Those scenes are very improvised and we just had a blast. Also shooting in Korea was simply amazing, which is where about 30% of the film was shot.

Kdramastars:Hollywood, as well as Korean cinema, has a lack of female directors. Can you provide some encouragement for readers who may be interested in pursuing a similar career path?

Christine Yoo:In 2014 women comprise just 7% of the Director's Guild of America membership. I don't know the numbers in Korea but it's definitely a male dominated industry. Being female, Asian, (and short on top of it!) - I don't look like what people think a director should look like - so people assume that you can't direct. Female representation in this industry in general, behind and in front of the camera is poor. It's been proven at the box office time and time again that movies with females are commercially successful, but the industry still views it as a fluke, or exception. This has to change and I'm committed to this effort.

I'm involved with Women in Film here in Los Angeles and also provide mentorship for several young female filmmakers. It's just more difficult for female filmmakers to earn the trust of financiers, and there is just a perception that women are not creative centers or leaders. This is categorically not true. That's why I feel it's so important we offer support to females, especially when they are still in school. I had no mentors or professional support coming out of film school, though I did have persistence and belief in myself, which has gotten me to this point. Thanks for this question and giving me the opportunity to share this information.

Christine Yoo:The United States continues to be exposed to Korean films, however, most are within the Horror or Action genre. Do you think Americans outside of the Korean community are more resistant to watching comedies featuring Korean actors?

Kdramastars:The industry perceives comedy as the most difficult genre to translate and cross borders. That is why I'm delighted that Wedding Palace has now been translated to Spanish, Italian, German and Japanese. On March 31, the film will be launching online and on demand across Central and South America and Europe. It is already available in other English speaking countries, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, and South Africa, as well as N. America.

Christine Yoo:I'm thrilled that non-Asians comprise the main audience for this movie and I think K-Pop and K-Drama fandom has a lot to do with that. K-Pop power!

Kdramastars:Are you currently working on a similar project?

Christine Yoo:I'm in post-production on a documentary film I shot in Israel and Palestine called K-pop Brings Peace to the Middle East, and planning my next narrative feature.

If you did not have the opportunity to see the film in theaters, Wedding Palace will be available through video on demand and iTunes on March 31. Christine Yoo has delivered a standout comedy with Wedding Palace, further establishing her directorial talent.