K-Pop Film Shortlisted for Amsterdam Docu Awards

Published on 2012/10/15 | Source

"9 Muses of Star Empire", a documentary produced by the Chosun Ilbo tracking the manufacturing of a K-pop band, has been shortlisted for an award at the 2012 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.

The IDFA jury on Friday said the film is among finalists in the music documentary category. The event is considered the pinnacle of documentary festivals with a total of 3,000 films from all over the world competing for awards in various categories including feature-length, mid-length, first appearance, and music. Some 15 make it on the shortlist in each category.

The winners of the grand prize and viewers' prize are announced on Nov. 25.

"9 Muses" tracks the tough training a group of ordinary girls go through to become stars, their fierce competition, their conflicts with their managers and the problems the producers encounter.

The film took more than two years to make. It was co-produced by the Chosun Ilbo and Minch and Films of the Netherlands and shot by crew from countries including Korea, the Netherlands and Serbia. This is the first time a film by a Korean media organization has been shortlisted by the IDFA.