Despite being known for horror films, South Korean director Ahn Byeong-ki seems eager to use comedy to win the hearts of Chinese moviegoers.
His upcoming film Scandal Maker charmed an audience in a preview screening on the weekend; moviegoers wore brain wave-monitors on their head. Through analyzing the data transferred from the monitors to computers, the movie was found to be very "relaxing and funny", according to the monitor’s providers.
Ahn says there is a similarity between comedy and horror films: Both need to create "exciting moments" to lure viewers.
A Chinese remake of the namesake South Korean film screened in 2008, Scandal Maker features an established broadcaster, 38, who lives a comfortable bachelor's life until the peace is broken by two visitors, who insist he is the grandfather of a 5-year-old child.
The Sino-South Korean coproduction, mainly financed by Chinese studios, will open in Chinese mainland theaters on Nov 11, which is Single's Day in China.
The star-studded cast is led by actor Tong Dawei and Taiwan actress-singer Michelle Chen.
"Just imagine one day a stranger calls you grandpa but you’ve never seen the child before. The script is very interesting. I could not stop after reading the first several paragraphs," says Tong.
"The movie transfers a positive message: Family is the most important connection for every person," he says.