Ten years ago, director KANG Hyoung-chul made a huge and somewhat unexpected entrance in Korea’s commercial arena when his debut Scandal Makers (2008) (which is also known by its Korean title ‘Speedy Scandal’), became a major commercial hit as well as an awards player. As the most successful Korean film of 2008 and the biggest hit in lead CHA Tae-hyun’s career (at least until last year), the family comedy-drama earned several prizes from local industry awards including Best New Director and Best New Actress for new face PARK Bo-young.

Former Idol star Nam Hyun-soo remains a popular celebrity who hosts a hit radio show while at home he lives a neat bachelor’s lifestyle. One day he takes a call from a young single mother and convinces her to visit her long-lost father. That very evening, rather than the date he was expecting, the same woman, with her young son in tow, turns up at his doorstep. Not so pleasantly surprised to discover that he is not only a father, but a grandfather, Hyun-soo wants the pair out of his stable life, but fearing a scandal, he allows them to stay until he can figure out what to do with them. As they get to know each other, he discovers that both mother and son have musical gifts.

With Scandal Makers, KANG demonstrated his knack for crafting smooth and catchy visuals with a keen sense of emotional balance that has turned him into a purveyor of broadly appealing and unusually stylish modern dramedies. Kicking off his career with a hit that welcomed 8.22 million viewers, KANG continued with an enviable streak of commercial successes that has also included the 80s-set youth comedy-drama Sunny (2011 - 7.36 million viewers) and the cardsharp sequel Tazza-The Hidden Card (2014 - 4.02 million viewers). KANG will return to theaters this winter with the period dance-themed youth drama Swing Kids.

A star thanks to My Sassy Girl (2001) and other successful romantic and/or comedy titles, with Scandal Makers, CHA Tae-hyun was handed a part that perfectly matched his sensibilities as a funny yet empathetic everyman. The film would remain his greatest commercial hit until last winter's record-breaking Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017).

Though only 18 at the time, PARK Bo-young debuted with a busy 2008, that included four films. Showcasing her cute and relatable traits as a performer, Scandal Makers quickly put her on the map. She would go to star in hits such as the fantasy romance A Werewolf Boy (2012). PARK will return to theaters later this month for On Your Wedding Day.