"Humint" star Shin Sae-kyeong revealed her impressions of returning to the screen after 12 years and playing Chae Seon-hwa.
On the afternoon of the 9th, an interview with "Humint" lead actress Shin Sae-kyeong was held at a cafe in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno District, Seoul.
The film "Humint" (director Ryu Seung-wan, distributed by NEW, produced by Oeyunaegang Co., Ltd.) depicts people with different objectives clashing in Vladivostok, where both secrets and truth are submerged in a cold sea of ice. It is a work that partially shares a universe with Ryu Seung-wan's 2013 blockbuster "The Berlin File," which surpassed 7 million admissions. Jo In-sung plays NIS Director Jo, Park Jeongmin plays North Korea State Security Department official Park Geon, Park Hae-jun plays North Korea's consul in Vladivostok Hwang Chi-seong, and Shin Sae-kyeong delivers a performance as a North Korean restaurant worker who becomes a humint to survive, Chae Seon-hwa.
"Humint" is a film that harmonizes spy action and melodrama, and Shin Sae-kyeong, who plays Chae Seon-hwa, serves as the central axis of the melodramatic line. Chae Seon-hwa and Park Geon were even engaged in North Korea, but as former lovers who broke up, they evoke intense feeling throughout the film without a single intimate touch. The final ending scene even tugs at the tear ducts. In addition, Shin Sae-kyeong returns to the screen after a full 12 years since "Tazza: The Hand of God," showing new sides from a Pyongyang dialect to singing.
Shin Sae-kyeong said that although it took a long time to return, "I wasn't impatient. I met fans steadily through good works such as drama, and thanks to that I don't think I was particularly impatient," she began.
She said the biggest reason she chose "Humint" was director Ryu Seung-wan. She showed affection, saying, "It was faith in the director. There was no reason to hesitate. The character was attractive, and that protagonist's will to live was so strong that it felt admirable. She is an important driving force who moves other characters, and I also felt that was admirable."
Initially another actress was going to play Chae Seon-hwa in "Humint," but Shin Sae-kyeong was ultimately confirmed. As a result, Shin Sae-kyeong perfectly portrayed Chae Seon-hwa and produced a better outcome.
Shin Sae-kyeong said, "I didn't feel any burden at all, and I believe I have a connection with works. The same applies when I do drama," adding, "Often what was reported in initial articles doesn't turn out the same during actual filming, so I wasn't particularly burdened by that. If people compliment me saying I fit the role well, I'm grateful. (laughs) I think characters really have a connection. If Shin Sae-kyeong influenced the character, and that character met me and changed and became richer, I think it means we met as fate intended," she said with a smile.
Looking back on the past 12 years, Shin Sae-kyeong said, "They passed in the blink of an eye. I don't even know how they passed. I like who I am now much more, and I much prefer my appearance in my 30s," and added, "I think I make somewhat more correct judgments and try to act with caution and wisdom. I think those various thoughts and actions together may have produced results."
Meanwhile, "Humint" opens on the 11th.
[Photo] Provided by The Present Company
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