On-location planning in Vietnam shaped the project, then completed in Korea.

The press screening and Q&A for Namhonja Prince were held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in the morning, with Lee Kwang-soo and director Kim Sung-hoon in attendance to discuss the film.

Kim Sung-hoon said, “It’s been a while since I spoke to you. While visiting Vietnam’s Nha Trang for a film event, I found the scenery beautiful, and talking with industry colleagues made me feel there could be a project we could do together. Even when languages don’t fully align, the actions and mood of conveying a story feel right. I conceived the film on location and returned to Korea to make it. Romance relies on communication, so I chose the romance genre.”

Reflecting on reuniting with Lee Kwang-soo after more than ten years since My Little Hero, Kim noted that twelve years had passed and time went by faster than he realized. He had hoped to work together, but opportunities hadn’t come. For this film, Lee plays a top Asia Prince, and Kim found the idea of Lee as Asia’s Prince intriguing, believing a fresh Korean wave star should take on the role. He said he wanted to pursue a long-running collaboration with Lee and had discussed it from the outset.

Kim praised Lee’s acting, saying that Junwoo’s exterior reflects Lee’s familiar TV persona, yet he brings that energy to the screen in a notably strong way. He added that Lee has continued to grow through years of activity, maintaining a persistent passion for acting.

Regarding shooting in Vietnam, Kim explained that it wasn’t mandatory but became necessary at a certain point. He noted that the Korean film market has contracted and that content often lacks a distinct color, suggesting that collaboration across Asia could help widen the market.

Kim also commented on the adaptation process, saying there were no major changes; the core fit well. He mentioned that adding a gay friend to explain Tao’s character was not an issue. He stressed that working with other countries means you shouldn’t assume they will simply copy your industry; the Vietnam setting provides a base, and just as techniques vary by project in Korea, they shouldn’t be divided. The lighting style differed, and he valued the cross-cultural exchange as a creative learning experience.

On the title, Kim shared that the original title was Dreams of You, but to make it more approachable he chose Namhonja Prince. He thought it might initially seem light, but when considering Lee Kwang-soo, it became easier to accept. The survival comedy romance Namhonja Prince, featuring Lee Kwang-soo, opens on November 19.