The thriller "Streaming," featuring Kang Ha-neul's passionate performance, is seeking an audience.

On the 17th, a press conference for the film "Streaming" (directed and written by Jo Jang-ho, provided and distributed by Lotte Entertainment, produced by Berry Good Studio, co-produced by TH Story) was held at Lotte Cinema World Tower. Actors Kang Ha-neul and Director Jo Jang-ho attended the event.

The film "Streaming" is a thriller that involves the top crime channel streamer "Woo-sang" discovering clues related to a serial murder case that has gone unsolved and broadcasting the process of tracking the culprit in real-time.

On this day, Director Jo Jang-ho noted, "The reason I planned this movie is that while watching YouTube, I thought about how unrefined content is recklessly accepted and influences people. That thought has been largely reflected in the film," and he introduced the film by saying, "If the audience, after watching, can view media or personal broadcasts, including BJ (broadcast jockeys), from a more objective perspective—accepting the good and filtering out the bad—it would be an honor."

He further explained regarding the numerous 'one-take' shots in the film, "I was very concerned about whether to divide the cuts or go with one-take. As we pursue a one-take, there may be noticeable technical shortcomings, but I believe the energy and strength shown in it are invaluable. Ultimately, the core lies in the actors. It was a question of whether the actors could maintain the audience's attention for a long time. If the actors were uninterested, it wouldn't be possible, but they were very enthusiastic. It was thanks to Kang Ha-neul's response, passion, and energy that we proceeded with this approach."

He also shared about casting the actors. Director Jo stated, "In the film, the character Jin-seong is vital. While acting ability was crucial, I couldn't find the right actor. Then, I saw a scene of Kang Ha-kyung from a drama. It was a short clip of about three minutes, and I made the decision right away. In fact, when I saw her audition, she was an incredibly sharp actor. She didn't have much experience in commercial films, but while acting with Kang Ha-neul, she showed a bold side, which was impressive."

He added, "Actress Ha Seo-yoon, who plays Matilda, showed a strong will during the audition. The character Matilda does anything to become famous. I was overwhelmed by that energy in the audition. While there were other candidates with different images and performances, I thought Ha Seo-yoon's will was unmatched by anyone."

Kang Ha-neul transformed into the crime channel streamer "Woo-sang." Regarding the key aspects of his performance, he said, "It was about the live aspect. The biggest challenge was to capture that essence. Since there is a certain script, it turns into a movie during the performance, losing the live feel. When I tried to forget the script entirely, it felt too live and not appropriate for a piece of work. So, I focused a lot on finding a middle ground. This was a part of the conversations I had with the director, discussing scene by scene."

Amidst the film's tension added through many 'one-take' shots, Kang Ha-neul shared his filming experiences. He recalled, "I originally love one-take films. When I first met with the director and discussed it, I was a bit excited when he said we should go with long takes, as it fits the real-time streaming feel. It was thrilling and seemed fun to me," he said. He continued, "The extended parts of the script allowed opportunities for exploration, which were all so enjoyable. I fondly remember filming alongside the director with excitement."

Additionally, he expressed, "Since it was a one-take, one challenge was that some scenes could last around 10 minutes when shot straight. It's not easy to find a 10-minute scene in a typical film. If I made an NG at 9 minutes and 50 seconds, I had to start all over again." He noted, "That aspect provided some pressure, but it also created a strange tension, and I think that was exciting."

Especially, he shared, "When I first looked at the script, all the lines were listed as 'Woo-sang' and I had no lines. So, after meeting the script, I thought this work would really only feature me, but that wasn't the case. The second actor was the director, and the lighting team was also actors. There were many people contributing to create each scene. There is a tension that can be conveyed within the film, and we all discussed and debated the concerns related to acting and lighting. So, I didn't feel like I was talking alone; I strongly felt there were more actors than in any other set I've worked on."

He also shared his thoughts on one-person media. Kang Ha-neul said, "Of course, the negative aspects are being revealed, but personally, I tend to gain strength from the content I want to see. While I don't watch content that deals with issues, I'm aware that there are certainly negative aspects, but I believe there are also positive sides and energy behind that."

In conclusion, Kang Ha-neul expressed, "I thought there would be no points to smile at during the film shoot. However, there were moments when I couldn't help but chuckle. So, I am very grateful. I think that means the audience found the film interesting, and I would like to interpret that positively. Even if there are shortcomings, I hope you will find it enjoyable."

Meanwhile, "Streaming" will be available in theaters starting March 21.

[Photo] OSEN DB

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