When director Park Beom-su envisioned the coming-of-age film "Victory," he pictured underdogs striving together to inch closer to their dreams. "I prefer stories that feature multiple below-average characters bumbling along together rather than having one top protagonist," Park said at a press event to promote the upcoming film Wednesday. "I like stories where characters, though not extraordinary, achieve something and grow in the process," he said. "I wrote with great affection for each character, casting actors with unique, colorful charm." Set in the sleepy southern town of Geoje in 1999, "Victory" follows teenagers forming a cheerleading club, focusing on their challenges and persistent efforts to grow as a team. A poster for "Victory" is shown in this image provided by Mindmark Inc. on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Lee Hye-ri, better known as Hyeri from the former girl group Girl's Day, plays Pil-sun, a dance-passionate high schooler who establishes the Millennium Girls cheerleading club with her best friend Mi-na (Park Se-wan), transfer student Se-hyun (Jo A-ram) from Seoul and a diverse group of enthusiastic girls. Under the slogan "I cheer for myself," the team embarks on a journey to uplift everyone with powerful dances and songs while navigating adolescence's ups and downs. Hyeri initially "politely declined" the role, lacking confidence to portray the seemingly "perfect" character. "I loved the character and story but worried if I could deliver it," she said. "But after meeting the director, my concerns turned to confidence based on mutual trust." For her first attempt at hip-hop dancing, Hyeri practiced eight to nine hours daily. "I wanted it to look perfect, so I practically lived in the practice room for three months," she said. Addressing concerns about similarities to her beloved character Deok-sun from "Reply 1988" (2015), Hyeri said, "Some might see a connection due to the retro feel, but the characters are completely different." The film showcases a collection of icon ic late 1990s K-pop hits, including Kim Won-joon's "Show" and Seo Tae-ji and Boys' "Hayeoga," while also featuring era-specific fashion and trends, promising a nostalgic trip to the big screen. "Victory" will have its global premiere Friday as the opening film at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival, where Hyeri will receive the Rising Star Award. The film is scheduled for release in local theaters Aug. 14. Source: Yonhap News Agency