Actor Park Si-hoo, overcoming controversy over arranging an affair, returns to the screen after 10 years with the film "Shinui Akdan" based on the original work by the author of Miracle in Cell No.7, and is expected to deliver a moving story that will even thaw frozen inter-Korean relations.
On the morning of the 8th, a production briefing for the film "Shinui Akdan" (director Kim Hyeong-hyeop, distributor CJ CGV, produced by Studio Target) was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Kim Hyeong-hyeop, actors Park Si-hoo, Jung Jin-woon, Tae Hang-ho, Jang Ji-geon, Han Jeong-wan, Moon Gyeong-min, Go Hye-jin, Choi Seon-ja, Seo Dong-won, Kang Seung-wan and Shin Han-gyeol attended and discussed the work.
"Shinui Akdan" is a human drama film depicting the story that unfolds when a fake praise troupe is established in North Korea to earn foreign currency. In particular, Park Si-hoo, who returns to the screen for the first time in 10 years since the 2015 release of the film "Sarangeu Hooae" , transforms from a cold security officer into a conductor leading the fake praise troupe, drawing expectations. Jung Jin-woon plays a principled officer who clashes with him, providing taut tension. In addition, distinctive actors representing Chungmuro such as Tae Hang-ho, Seo Dong-won and Jang Ji-geon, and seasoned mid-career actors such as Moon Gyeong-min and Choi Seon-ja join as members of the "fake praise troupe," completing a fantastic give-and-take and a heart-tugging ensemble of emotion.
In addition, the film, completed through large-scale location shoots between Mongolia and Hungary, portrays in a cheerful and warm way how their performance, which began as "fake," becomes a "real" harmony against an overwhelming scale and exotic scenery. Director Kim Hyeong-hyeop, who delivered warm laughter and emotion with "Dad Is a Daughter," took the helm and is expected to convey passionate humanism that breaks down the cold wall of ideology.
Director Kim Hyeong-hyeop said, "I show the irony of creating a troupe using the backdrop of North Korea, which is known to have no religious freedom," and introduced, "The late writer Kim Hwang-seong wrote the original. As you know, the writer, through Miracle in Cell No.7, found the irony of the prison as a space and drew out humanism. This time, using North Korea as the setting and the concept of a praise troupe, what we ultimately want to show is the essence of humans, the love in the heart. The film that unravels that as a human drama is 'Shinui Akdan.'"
About the various characters and casting, he said, "It is a work with 12 actors. It is a film in which each character has to live centered on the protagonist. From the pre-stage, we paid a lot of attention to casting. We had a 100-page actor list and, together with the production team, kept reviewing it for more than a week, repeatedly thinking about which actors would fit each role. As you can see, excellent actors participated, so I think the film turned out well," he said with pride.
Park Si-hoo emphasized about why he returns to film after 10 years, "I was drawn to the power of the work. I enjoyed reading the script. I thought the role was attractive. Also, the process of a cold, charismatic figure changing as he interacts with the troupe was very appealing."
Coincidentally, Park Si-hoo has been pursuing legal action over rumors of family breakdown that surfaced mainly on social media since last August. This event was noted as his first official appearance after the controversy. Park Si-hoo stood up and directly appealed, "This production briefing is the first in 15 years for me. I have mixed feelings about making personal remarks at the production briefing. I feel sorry to the director and actors here. However, to speak for the work, as stated in the press release, we are taking legal steps against clearly false claims. I will leave it to the judgment of the law. I ask for much understanding and consideration."
He added, "It has been 15 years since I filmed a movie. I missed the film set. In the meantime, I met 'Shinui Akdan' and was drawn to the power of the work, which brought me here. Even in temperatures of minus 30 and 40 degrees, we all came together with one strength with the actors and filmed on set happily without losing our smiles. I think a good work probably came out. I think many people's hearts will be warmed. Please give us much love and interest."
Jung Jin-woon, who opposes him in the film, said, "Regardless of rank, competing is the relationship in which I live. I worked very hard to maintain a tense tension. But our environment was very difficult. Filming in locations close to minus 40 degrees created camaraderie. I was worried that we might look like we became close because of that, but thanks to keeping the center, we could do well."
Tae Hang-ho, who has also been active in entertainment shows, anchors the film as the troupe leader. He laughed, "A warm role who is very considerate of those around him." Jang Ji-geon boasted, "I take charge of practical matters in the troupe to the extent that I even decide the order of rehearsals for the fake revival meeting."
Han Jeong-wan said, "In the film, Mansu has a scene where he sing South Korean trot without tact. But in real life, I do have tact," and actually performed Im Young-woong's 'Love always runs away' live with a guitar, which he had performed in the film.
Also, Park Si-hoo said, "I enjoyed filming on set," and Jung Jin-woon emphasized, "From my position, they accepted me well, so I also acted spoiled. I also playfully complained and joked a lot, and I had a lot of fun."
The director added about the many songs featured, "Im Young-woong's 'Love always runs away' is, like its title, a song that plays a decisive role in the film. It's a little spoiler to say it here, but it's also a song that changes the protagonist. That song has meaning beyond mere fame. We prepared a lot. I talked a lot with actor Han Jeong-wan and he performed the role wonderfully. Thanks to that, it is used well in the film as a song that brings about the character's change. You may understand when you have a chance to see it later," adding to Im Young-woong fans' expectations.
Regarding North Korean dialect acting, he said, "We met many people, especially those who came from the North. We have a teacher who adapted our script and is actually a former North Korean security official. He stayed on set with us, guiding the actors' dialects. Each actor had different origins, so he provided dialect coaching suitable to each."
Jung Jin-woon revealed, "There is dialect acting, but because I had to be a North Korean soldier, there was a big difference in behavior. While being coached by the teacher, I learned in detail how a North Korean soldier of that rank acts," raising anticipation.
Finally, actor Choi Seon-ja said, "I have played many strong roles and have done many works about North Korea. I even played the role of Kim Il-sung's wife. But in doing this work, unless there is realness and truthfulness, how to portray the pain of the division unique in the world and the pain between the two Koreas, and what kind of suffering people in the North endure made every word important. To convey that sincerity, rather than imitating the dialect, I thought about how a life full of grievance should convey both laughter and sorrow, and I acted with that in mind. But the troupe members did the dialect so well that I couldn't make a sound and only held onto my heart's wish. I hope the whole world watches this work. I hope they see what Korea is. I acted with the feeling of being a person living in the North. Please watch and share it with that feeling," evoking deep emotion.
"Shinui Akdan" opens nationwide on the 31st.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Park Jun-hyeong.
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