IT is almost the weekend again and if you have no plans yet, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines has got your back!

South Korea is celebrating Family Month this May, and the KCC is joining in on the fun by offering free movie screenings on Saturday, May 20. 

KCC will be screening the Korean film Champ and the Filipino adaptation of Miracle in Cell No. 7 at its building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

What’s more fun is that this movie screening will be free of charge, and guests will be offered free snacks.

Korea’s Family Month 

Family Month in South Korea includes Children’s Day (May 5), Parents’ Day (May 8), and Married Couple’s Day (May 21).

Children’s Day in the country was first celebrated in 1923 by children’s rights activist Bang Jeong-hwan. Nowadays, parents usually celebrate this by taking their children to fun places like parks, zoos, and fairs.

While other countries have separate celebrations for each parent, South Korea combined the celebrations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day into one day, which is called Parents’ Day. This was established in the 1970s, following the growing calls for a Father’s Day as Korea only used to observe Mother’s Day. Korean children honor their parents by giving them handmade carnations and letters. 

Meanwhile, Married Couple’s Day was designated by the Korean legislature in 2007 to honor the couples’ role as the root of a family.

Get to know the movies that KCC Philippines will be screening for its Family Month celebration on Saturday.

Champ (2011)

Champ is a sports-drama film that centers on former horse jockey Seung-Ho (played by actor Cha Tae-Hyun) who lost his wife and his eyesight after figuring in a car accident. 

Things got a lot worse for him when he also lost all his savings for trying to cheat at the horse track, leading him to flee to Jeju Island.

On the island, Seung-Ho meets a limping horse that will help him change the course of his life.

Joining Cha in the film are Kim Su-Jeong, Yu Oh-Seong, Park Ha-Sun, Park Won-sang, Baek Do-Bin, Kim Kwang-Kyu, Yoon Hee-Seok, Kim Ki-Cheon, and Kim Sang-Ho, among others.

The film was directed by Lee Hwan-Kyung, who also helmed the South Korean hit Miracle in Cell No. 7.

Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2019 – PH version)

Miracle in Cell No. 7 is based on Lee’s South Korean film of the same name released in 2013.

The 2019 Filipino adaptation highlights the story of mentally challenged but loving father Joselito “Lito” Gopez (played by actor Aga Muhlach), who is accused of killing a little girl. He was put behind bars for the crime he did not commit and sentenced to death.

While in the cell, Lito has only one wish: to see his daughter Yesha. Actress Bela Padilla played the grown-up Yesha, while Xia Vigor played the younger version. 

Lito will get his wish with the help of his cellmates: gang leader Soliman “Boss Sol,” Mambo, Choy, Bong, and Tatang Celso.

The prison scenes are told in flashback from the point of view of Yesha, who has grown up to be a lawyer and is defending her father’s innocence in court.

Actors Joel Torre, JC Santos, Mon Confiado, Jojit Lorenzo, Soliman Cruz, John Arcilla, and Tirso Cruz III are part of the cast.

This Filipino remake was directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval who is known for his works This Time, A Secret Affair, and Got 2 Believe.

Film screening guidelines

There will be a set of rules for the movie screening that attendees must follow:

1. They should bring a valid ID that bears their birth date, as well as their vaccination card (electronic or hard copy).

• Kids under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

2. They may bring their own pillow, bean bag, or seat cushion.

3. Although snacks will be provided, viewers may still bring their own food and drinks, but under these conditions:

• Food should only be snacks or finger food without sauce. Rice meals and soup are prohibited.
• Drinks must have a cover. Bringing of alcoholic drinks is not permitted.

4. KCC advises attendees to be dropped off and picked up in the venue as there will be no parking space available.

5. Viewers are prohibited from filming and recording any part of the movie.

Since the event is for free, the setup will be on a “first come, first served” basis.

Kiddie Zone

Aside from the film screening, KCC also prepared activities for children aged 12 and below at its library.

Kids can enjoy coloring activities, play Korean games Ttakjichigi and Yutnori, watch the South Korean computer-animated series Pororo, or read a book.

They will also be provided with a free pack of Korean candies.

The KCC Library Kiddie Zone will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.