Director Lee Hwan-kyung and producer Kim Min-ki of the original “Miracle in Cell No. 7" very pleased with the Filipino adaptation starring Aga Muhlach

So many people are already counting the days to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for them to finally see “Miracle in Cell No. 7”, the official entry from Viva Films.  This is Aga Muhlach’s first movie to be included in the MMFF after 26 long years, his last being “May Minamahal” (1993).

The overwhelming support is not just from Filipinos alone.  Korea’s very own Lee Hwan-kyung, the director of the original “Miracle in Cell No. 7”, and Kim Min-ki, the producer of the said record-breaking movie, are both very pleased that a Filipino adaptation has been made.  In fact, they are even coming to the Philippines to show their full support of this Pinoy version helmed by director Nuel C. Naval.

Apart from creating the highest grossing Korean film in 2013, what else makes Lee Hwan-kyung and Kim Min-ki such great filmmakers?

Director Lee Hwan-kyung, also a screenwriter, is a graduate of Seoul Institute of the Arts, one of the premiere art schools in South Korea.  Just two years after his directorial debut (He Was Cool), he was named Best New Director for the film “Lump Sugar” at the 2006 Chunsa Film Art Awards.   In 2013, he won Best Screenplay at the Grand Bell Awards for “Miracle in Cell No. 7”.  He also got a nomination for Best Director for this heartrending family drama.   It was said that Lee Hwan-kyung worked around a tiny budget while filming “Miracle in Cell No. 7”, but it became one of the industry’s most profitable films, with over 12.32 million viewers in South Korea alone.   Lee Hwan-kyung is reported to be working on his next film, “Next Door Neighbor”. 

Producer Kim Min-ki received his Masters Degree in Film Planning in France.  After years of making commercial films, he founded FineWorks in 2004.  This entertainment company specializes in the production of feature films and television series, mostly in the horror, family and romantic-comedy genre.  In 2011, he produced “The Champ”, the third film of Lee Hwan-kyung.  It was their first collaboration.  Two years later, they made history together with the tremendous success of “Miracle in Cell No. 7”, starring Ryu Seung-ryong.

Meanwhile, actor Ryu Seung-ryong also extends his best wishes to the Filipino cast in a video that can be seen in the official Facebook page of Viva Films.  “I will be cheering for it from afar, from Korea,” he says.  He adds, “We hope this movie will bring much comfort and laughter to the Philippine viewers.”

The whole cast and crew of “Miracle in Cell No. 7” are honoured to have director Lee Hwan-kyung and producer Kim Min-ki as guests as we are into the final stage of the promotion.  These gentlemen will be gracing us with their presence on December 16^th until the 18^th. 

Don’t miss “Miracle in Cell No. 7” in cinemas nationwide.  Opens on Christmas Day.