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RYOO Seung-bum and KIM Sa-rang bewitch audiences

Radio Dayz is a feel-good comedy set during the Japanese colonisation of Korea in the early 20^th century and revolves around a group of radio employees who develop a radio drama that captures the heart of Korean audiences.

RYOO Seung-bum (Arahan, Crying Fist) plays a laid-back and resourceful radio producer who decides to hire a writer for a radio drama format. However, the radio drama encounters numerous problems before it succeeds in captivating audiences.

A major problem is the character portrayed by KIM Sa-rang (Who Slept with Her), a famous singer with star attitude, who – while broadcasting live – decides to create some more lines for herself whenever she feels she isn’t quite in the spotlight; resulting in a plot turned upside down and everybody else confused.

KIM’s character envies HWANG Bo-ra’s character who has the female lead role in the radio drama. KO A-sung – the girl captured by the monster in The Host – plays a quirky girl who helps out at the radio station.

LEE Jong-hyuk features as a resistance leader who enhances the appeal of the radio drama when he joins to add sound effects. However, as a freedom fighter, he has a hidden agenda at the radio station.

Just when everybody is greatly anticipating the finale of the radio drama, the Japanese ban the show.

Radio Dayz successfully captures the atmosphere of the old days and the novelty that was radio. The production values are high and feature film debuting director HA Ki-ho shows talent. The end result is an entertaining film, which could easily charm audiences like the radio show in the film itself.

Like Once upon a Time, Radio Days is set during the Japanese occupation. Both are also comedy, but vary greatly. Once upon a Time offers fast action and adventure, Radio Days is nicely embodied by RYOO’s character: laid-back, inventive and charming. When compared they share some interesting commonalties. Both deal with Korea’s independence from Japan, but stay away from overtly nationalistic rhetoric. Funnily they also share a humoristic dynamite scene, even though in Radio Dayz, it isn’t quite dynamite.

In April, another film for comparison will open; Modern Boy is also situated during the Japanese colonisation and involves freedom fighters. But for now, Radio Dayz should captivate audiences from January 31.

Yi Ch’ang-ho (KOFIC)