i-dle’s Shuhua is taking a major step into acting as her first film in a leading role heads to the Toronto International Film Festival.
Her upcoming movie, Happy and Joyful Days, has been officially selected for the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, which will run from September 10 to 20.
The section introduces new projects featuring internationally recognized actors and filmmakers. Korean films previously selected for the program include Bong Joon Ho’s Mother and Parasite, as well as Park Chan Wook’s The Handmaiden.
Shuhua expressed surprise and gratitude after learning that her first leading film had been invited to the international event.
She said, “When I heard the news, I really could not believe it. I feel deeply honored that my first project allowed me to work with a wonderful team and move onto an international stage.”
Shuhua also shared what she hopes viewers will take from the film.
She added, “I hope everyone who watches the movie can find comfort and something they relate to through Lin Jia Qi’s story. I also hope they can feel the sincerity that we placed in the project.”
Happy and Joyful Days follows two sisters with very different personalities whose peaceful daily lives begin to change after a stray cat appears.
Shuhua plays Lin Jia Qi, the cheerful and innocent younger sister. After meeting the cat, the character experiences a range of emotions through her relationship with her sister and gradually begins to change.
The film is directed by Feng I Fiona Roan, whose first feature, American Girl, received several honors at the Golden Horse Awards, including Best New Director, the International Critics Award, and the Audience Choice Award.
The role marks Shuhua’s first major move from the concert stage to the screen and establishes an important milestone at the beginning of her acting career.
Meanwhile, i-dle will continue its global activities with a performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago on July 31.
The group will later conclude its world tour with 2026 i dLE WORLD TOUR [Syncopation] IN MACAU at Galaxy Arena on August 29 and 30.
