Synopsis

"Uncompromising passion," often said to be the spirit of rock, lies at the heart of both music and life. Radio Star tells the story of two men—a forgotten rock star and his manager—who are bound to cross paths in the tight-knit world of Korean rock, a scene that never truly had its heyday but has never really changed either. Choi Gon, once a superstar in the late 1980s, is now on a downward spiral, having spent time in prison on charges of assault and marijuana use. The only place that wants him now is a small countryside café. Still, Park Min-soo, who helped launch Gon's career, has remained loyally by his side for over 20 years. Gon is eventually sent to a remote rural town to host a radio show, and Min-soo goes with him. As they share a cramped motel room and get to know the locals, they begin broadcasting the residents’ small but heartfelt stories. The radio show becomes a surprise hit, and word reaches Seoul. A major record label offers Gon a new contract—but with one condition: Min-soo must go. The two men, always together, may appear childish or even laughable at times. But their unwavering bond turns this film from the tale of two outcasts into a universal story we can all connect with. In many ways, they reflect the history of Korean rock itself—fragile but unyielding. Rock anthems from all eras of Korean music—from Shin Jung-hyun to No Brain—resonate powerfully throughout the film. (Lim Bum)

Director

• 
  • Lee Joon-ik
  • After directing the family film Kid Cop in 1993, Lee Joon-ik went on to run the film production company CineWorld. In 2003, he directed and produced Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield, which pioneered the new genre of fusion historical drama and attracted 2.9 million viewers nationwide. In 2005, he achieved a record-breaking box office success with King and the Clown, drawing over 12 million viewers and becoming the biggest hit of the year. He followed up with Radio Star (2006), The Happy Life (2007), and Sunny (2008), thereby completing what is widely recognized as his musical film trilogy.