Synopsis

Quoting from a line in the film, Happy Life is a story about“ old dudes who still believe they ’re in their twenties”, and try to reunite their band,‘ Active Volcano’disbanded 20 years ago after they failed to enter the College Singing Contest for three years in a row. The now middle-aged friends may have dreamed of conquering the world with their music at one time, but life has not been easy on them as Ki-young who played the guitar is jobless and living off his wife; bass player, Sung-wook delivers packages by day and drives cars for drunken customers by night; and drummer Hyuk-soo is sick of supporting his family who is living abroad for his children’s education by selling used cars. Their barely-sustained meager lives change when the ex-band’s leader, Sang-woo passes away and the friends regroup to play music and revive their passion. With the help of the son of the deceased friend, the three men come together to bring the Active Volcano back to life. Full of affection to Korean rock music of the 80’s, Happy Life rediscovers the bond among aging friends, not to mention their passion for music and life. For those who used to find comfort in music, watching these middle-age rockers’dream come true will send you on a heartwarming journey down memory lane when the throbbing heartbeats of youth were alive. (Hwang Hei-rim) ​

감독

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  • 이준익
  • 1993년 가족영화 <키드캅>을 연출한 이후 영화사 ㈜씨네월드를 운영해 왔다. 2003년 퓨전사극이라는 새로운 장르를 연 <황산벌>을 제작, 연출하여 전국 290만 관객을 동원했고 2005년 <왕의 남자>로 1,200만 이상의 관객을 동원하여 그 해 최고의 흥행기록을 세웠다. 2006년 <라디오 스타>, 2007년 <즐거운 인생>에 이어 2008년 <님은 먼곳에>로 명실상부한 음악영화 3부작을 완성했다.