IU makes Cannes debut with ‘Broker,’ featuring ‘Parasite’ star Song Kang-ho

The K-pop soloist, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, has appeared in several Korean dramas over the years since her breakout role in the 2011 hit “Dream High.” “Broker” will be her second film role following last year’s “Shades of the Heart.”

In “Broker,” IU stars alongside established actors Song Kang-ho (“Parasite”), Gang Dong-won (“Temptation of the Wolves”) and Bae Doona (“The Silent Sea”).

The film centers around the concept of “baby boxes,” which allow parents in South Korea to drop off their unwanted infant children without leaving a trace. These children are then connected to prospective parents through black market “brokers of good will” Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho) and Dong-soo (Gang Dong-won). Only this time, Sang-hyun and Dong-soo are shocked to see that the child’s birth mother (Lee Ji-eun) has come back to join them in their search for parents to replace her.

The initial trailer opens with IU’s character changing her infant child while gently soothing its cries with her singing voice. Bae Doona plays one of the detectives seen chasing down the brokers as they carry out their illegal operation.

Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda helms the film, his first-ever Korean language production. An earlier work of his, “Shoplifters,” won the Palme d’Or during the 2018 Cannes festival. The film later scooped up an Oscar nomination in 2019 in the Foreign Language Film category.

This latest film not only features one of the stars from Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” but also several crew members that took part in the Oscar-winning film, such as director of photography Hong Kyung-pyo and composer Jung Jae-il.

“Broker” is slated for its world premiere in competition at Cannes on Thursday and will release in theaters in South Korea on June 8.

Featured Image via CJ ENM Movie