The indestructible 'Resurrection Man' is coming.
On the morning of the 26th, at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University entrance in Gwangjin District, Seoul, a production briefing for the film 'Resurrection Man: The Red' (director Baek, distributor Lotte Entertainment, produced by Yong Film, co-produced by Superfiction·YLAB·Studio Nungil) was held. Director Baek attended the briefing along with actors Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Seung-ho, Kang Ki-young and Kim Si-a, who talked about the film.
That day Koo Kyo-hwan, commenting ahead of the release, said, "Releasing a film is always something new, and it feels like a pleasant resurrection. It feels like continuing to have a date with the audience," and, explaining why he chose the project, said, "I wanted to meet the audience; I hope everyone enjoys it."
With Koo Kyo-hwan's red hairstyle in the teaser poster drawing attention, Koo Kyo-hwan admitted, "The poster was the result of teacher Hermes's efforts, and it is a special setting. It also gives a hint as to why the hair is red in the film, and it was something different and pleasant."
Shin Seung-ho played the role of Black, who chases Seok-hwan (played by Koo Kyo-hwan). Shin Seung-ho said of his appearance, "I think this is a work where I can show something I personally haven't tried before. I felt very grateful for the opportunity."
Kang Ki-young also returns in a cheerful persona. He described his role Young-ha, saying, "Resurrection Man: The Red felt like Kang Ki-young's essence being resurrected in me. Previously I played smart, professional characters, but here is the image of a close friend who could exist in everyday life, a friend who would share a friend's crisis."
Kang Ki-young added about Young-ha, "I wanted to portray a friend everyone knows. Friends start with insults and end with insults; if you laugh at a joke, it feels like you lose. You can see that genuine chemistry."
Seok-hwan's younger sister Ye-rin was played by actress Kim Si-a. Kim Si-a said, "Although she is younger than Seok-hwan in age, mentally she is a friend who is more mature than her brother," adding, "The director and I always discussed that she must be someone who does not get dragged by her brother but holds him back. I kept that in mind while filming."
Kim Si-a added, "Senior Koo Kyo-hwan ad-libbed a lot on set, which made me greedy to do more. But the director told me to restrain myself, so I tried to be calm and do a lot less."
Director Baek said about directing Resurrection Man, "The original webtoon was already very famous. We retained the original work's important settings, and it is the story of a very ordinary job seeker gaining extraordinary abilities. At first I found this unfolding story very appealing. How could we reconstruct and express that within the medium of film? I made that a key element of my direction."
Director Baek explained why he took on directing, saying, "The theme of resurrection was very attractive to me. Could such an idea exist? I was drawn to it; secondly, I wondered if I could visualize it, and I felt it needed to be a very fast-paced film. I had already decided in my heart that I should direct it."
Earlier, director Baek had already worked with Koo Kyo-hwan on a commercial shoot. They reunited for the second time for the film shoot. Asked about the difference between the two shoots, director Baek said, "I met actor Koo Kyo-hwan during the commercial shoot, and there wasn't much difference from now. I positively viewed his optimistic and positive aspects."
Director Baek added, "The speed at which I synchronized with the character Seok-hwan I was envisioning was fast. So much so that on set I was confused over who was Seok-hwan and who was Kyo-hwan, and personally I was very satisfied with the shoot."
Asked how he tried to portray Seok-hwan, Koo Kyo-hwan said, "Rather than worry, let's enjoy the set. Anyway, our film is meant to give the audience pleasure, so I thought the person doing it should enjoy it for the viewers to enjoy it too."
On action, Koo Kyo-hwan said, "It was important to digest the action concept the director prepared, and I thought we should learn it well like choreography. I thought action is like doing choreography by looking into each other's eyes, and we should make it like a dance. In the latter part, Seok-hwan's abilities increase, so in that respect we received help from the action team."
Meanwhile, Shin Seung-ho, who plays Black, said he challenged himself with three languages. Shin Seung-ho added, "If that's an ability, it might be, but I did my best to prepare. I actually have never formally learned English or Japanese, but I like learning languages. I had been too lazy to learn until now. I enjoyed this opportunity, and I think I gave my best as Black in the work, more than for my own enjoyment."
He noted that his voice tone lowered especially when using English. Shin Seung-ho explained, "Black uses English a lot, and when I spoke English my tone dropped. The director said it would be good to bring that out, so I tried it, and following the director's guidance became my tone."
Separately, Koo Kyo-hwan and Kim Si-a displayed authentic sibling chemistry. When asked what it would be like if Koo Kyo-hwan were her real brother, Kim Si-a said, "If he were my real brother, we'd probably fight a lot. We'd bicker a lot, but since my brother is a funny person, I think I would secretly try to be clingy."
When asked which of Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Seung-ho or Kang Ki-young she would like as a real brother, Kim Si-a chose Kang Ki-young, saying, "Young-ha?" and added the reason, "I already tried Seok-hwan oppa once." Koo Kyo-hwan begged, "Can't I be reappointed?" but Kim Si-a's choice did not change.
Director Baek expressed satisfaction about working with such cheerful actors, saying, "They all worked hard and did well. So it was difficult at times, but it was a very enjoyable shoot." He mentioned Koo Kyo-hwan, "As Koo Kyo-hwan said earlier, the ad-libs that come from applying the job-seeker setting felt like daily resumes."
Next, director Baek said, "Seung-ho actor's chilling gaze and that low-toned voice left a strong impression on me. I also knew actor Ki-young for a long time and had expectations, and he showed chemistry with actor Koo, which I remember. Actress Si-a's lonely face was also impressive. Now she showed a very adult look, but during the audition she still had a child's face; nevertheless, it matched the Ye-rin I had in mind, and those aspects matched well during the shoot."
Asked about desired results, he responded cautiously, "I think the results may be the evidence of everything. I hope many people come to see it, but that's not something I'm in a position to declare."
Meanwhile, the film Resurrection Man: The Red opens on Sept. 30.
[Photo] Min Kyung-hoon reporter, Lotte Entertainment
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