South Korea is following in Japan’s footsteps by remaking the iconic Taiwanese school romance film “You Are The Apple Of My Eye”. The original film, released 13 years ago, still has a strong following among movie lovers, and the remake is attracting a lot of attention. The leads for the characters Shen Chia-Yi and Ko Ching-teng have been revealed: TWICE’s Dahyun and B1A4’s Jinyoung.
After rumors surfaced in May 2024, the film has finally unveiled the characters’ looks. In the released images, Dahyun and Jinyoung are seen sitting next to each other in a classroom, interacting with each other and the camera. Through the hashtags in the actor’s post, the Korean names for Shen Chia-Yi and Ko Ching-teng were revealed: Seon Ah and Jin Woo.
In terms of visuals, the idols’ appearances have been praised. However, when it comes to their portrayal and suitability for the roles, many film enthusiasts have expressed that Dahyun does not capture the image of Shen Chia-Yi that they remember. On the other hand, Jinyoung is considered more fitting, but netizens have mentioned alternative choices, such as Song Geon-hee, who played a supporting role in “Lovely Runner”.
Most netizens are concerned that the Korean remake of “You Are The Apple Of My Eye” will not live up to their expectations. Their main concerns include the relatively inexperienced team behind the film compared to the original, and the recent trend of unsuccessful remakes.
A Remake of a Classic with Many “Firsts”
“You Are The Apple Of My Eye” is considered a classic school romance film, thanks to its outstanding script and the impeccable performances of Kai Ko and Michelle Chen. The Taiwanese original is well-loved by movie fans.
The challenge for the remake lies in finding a Shen Chia-Yi, a Ko Ching-teng, and a script that respects the original while offering something new to make a strong impression.
According to the information released, this remake is the directorial debut of Cho Young-myoung, as well as the acting debut of Dahyun. The film’s producer, Song Dae-chan, though successful with action films such as “A Man Of Reason” (2022) and “Cold Eyes” (2013), has limited experience with romantic films. The remake is sure to pose an interesting challenge for the filmmaking team, especially after the failure of the Japanese remake, and the pressure on the Korean version is intense.
The soul of the film, in the eyes of many viewers, lies in the character Shen Chia-Yi, with her warm and tender personality that lingers in people’s hearts. While the role does not require heavy emotional depth, the ability to convey youthful innocence and first love through facial expressions and eyes is no simple task. Audiences are unsure whether Dahyun (TWICE) can pull this off.
Dahyun is just beginning her foray into acting. Currently, none of her films have been officially released, including the sports movie “Sprint” and the remake “You Are The Apple Of My Eye”. Thus, there is little to guarantee her acting ability at this point.
The number of idol actors (K-pop idols who transition into acting) who have successfully made a name for themselves and are praised for their acting is limited. When a classic role is given to a newcomer like Dahyun, fans cannot help but worry if the role is too big for her. Additionally, Dahyun is known for her energetic, bright, and somewhat humorous image, which contrasts sharply with Shen Chia-Yi’s character. The skepticism from netizens is understandable.
On the other hand, Jin-young has received positive feedback thanks to his extensive acting experience. He has taken on various roles, including in successful films like “Miss Granny” (2014) and “Sweet Home 2” (2023). Despite being 32 years old, Jinyoung still has a youthful appearance and had no trouble wearing a school uniform. However, many believe he will struggle to surpass Kai Ko’s charm and performance.
Can the Korean Version Learn From Past Failures?
As recently as September 2023, movie fans were left disappointed by the remake of “A Time Called You” starring Ahn Hyo-seop, which was a remake of the Taiwanese original “Someday or One Day”. The reason was the “unsettling” visual of the Korean male lead when compared to the original lead Greg Hsu, along with a messy and plot-hole-filled script that left viewers frustrated.
The similarity between the situations of the two remakes invites many comparisons. Both are remakes of outstanding Taiwanese films, both share a youthful love theme, and both feature prominent stars with visuals that do not quite please the public. The team behind the Korean remake of “You Are The Apple Of My Eye” will need to excel in both storytelling and character design, as well as craft an effective promotional campaign to overcome the public’s preconceived notions about remakes.
Source: Harper’s BAZAAR