Starlet in Spotlight as Debut Film Invited to Cannes

Published on 2016/05/07 | Source

Actress Kim Tae-ri has been thrust into the spotlight thanks to her role in award-winning filmmaker Park Chan-wook's latest film.

"The Handmaiden" has been invited to the official competition section at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which opens next week.

Based on British author Sarah Waters' novel "Fingersmith", Park's adaptation is set in Korea and Japan in the 1930s. The story revolves around an heiress who falls in love with a petty thief.

Kim was chosen from among 1,500 candidates who auditioned for the role of an orphan raised by a dealer in stolen goods.

Park said his first impression of Kim reminded him strongly of his first meeting with actress Kang Hye-jung, who rose to stardom for her part in Park's critically-acclaimed film "Oldboy", the winner of the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

He added that casting Kim in the role was an easy decision, as he was impressed by the composure she showed at the audition, and her ability to tackle roles outside of her "comfort zone".

The film will be released here sometime in June.