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Korean director Lee Hwan-kyung is returning to Indonesia for his next film. The filmmaker behind the globally celebrated Miracle in Cell No. 7 has assembled a star-studded Indonesian cast for Gasigogi, a deeply emotional father-son drama now in production with Falcon Pictures and Hwantasy Entertainment.
A Powerful Cast for an Emotional Story
Vino G. Bastian leads the film as Jiwa, a father who sacrifices everything to save his son Juna, who is battling blood cancer. Pevita Pearce joins as co-lead, while Faradina Mufti plays a character named Chitra. Indra Jegel also features among the principal cast.
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The supporting lineup is equally impressive. It includes Altaaf Akavi, Indro Warkop, Dea Panendra, Sadana Agung, Irma Novita Rihi, Luisa Adreena, Pritt Timothy, Verdi Solaiman and Kiki Narendra. Many of these actors have appeared in acclaimed Indonesian films. Warkop, for example, appeared in the Indonesian version of Miracle in Cell No. 7, while Solaiman is known for The Raid.
Bastian himself starred in the Indonesian remake of Miracle in Cell No. 7. Pearce is widely recognized for 5 cm, and Mufti earned critical praise for her role in Impetigore. Together, they bring significant experience and credibility to the project.
The Meaning Behind the Title
The working title Gasigogi draws its inspiration from the stickleback fish. In nature, the male stickleback guards the eggs alone. He fights off predators until his body fails. At that point, his flesh becomes the first food for his newly hatched young.
Lee uses this striking image as a metaphor for fatherhood. It represents the total, selfless sacrifice a parent makes for a child. The concept sits at the emotional core of the entire film.
Furthermore, Lee has described Gasigogi as the most emotionally demanding project he has ever taken on. He previously made Miracle in Cell No. 7 as a personal gift for his daughter. In contrast, this new film is dedicated to his son.
A Story Built Around Indonesian Values
Lee chose Indonesia as the setting deliberately. He wants the film to reflect the country’s deep cultural ties to family, faith and community. He has been clear that Gasigogi is not a transplant of Korean sentiment. Instead, he describes it as an original work that, in his words, “breathes with Indonesian lungs.”
“Just as a father gives everything to his child, I want to pour everything I have into creating a precious gift for this family,” Lee said. “The name of that gift is Gasigogi. The goal is simple: I want to create a film so honest and resonant that when the credits roll, the first thing the audience wants to do is call their father.”
Bastian responded to the project with equal passion. “To be trusted with a story of this magnitude is both an incredible honor and a tremendous emotional challenge,” he said. “Director Lee has crafted a raw, devastating and beautiful narrative about what a father will endure for his child.”
Cast and Producers Share Their Enthusiasm
Mufti also spoke warmly about her involvement. She said she was grateful to both Falcon Pictures and Lee for trusting her with the role of Chitra. “As a mother myself, this story feels very close to my heart,” she said. “It reminds me that love isn’t always expressed through words, but often through the things we do and the sacrifices we make for our children.”
Falcon producer Frederica expressed confidence in the film’s potential impact. “The unparalleled dedication of our brilliant cast and crew, combined with Director Lee’s masterful storytelling, makes Gasigogi a truly special project,” she said. “We believe this film will leave a lasting, emotional legacy for Indonesian cinema and audiences everywhere.”
With a celebrated director, a high-profile cast and a deeply human story at its center, Gasigogi is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Indonesian productions in recent memory.
