"Assassin(s)" Park Hae-il praised his junior Lee Minho's attitude without holding back.
On the afternoon of the 10th, an interview with the film "Assassin(s)" lead actor Park Hae-il was held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul.
The film "Assassin(s)" (director Heo Jin-ho, produced by Hive media corp, distributed by Hive media corp) expands the motive of a historical incident that shocked Korea into cinematic imagination, tracing the suspicions and behind-the-scenes of the first lady shooting incident on Aug. 15, 1974. It added some imagination to the facts surrounding the assassination of the wife of former president Park Chung-hee, the late Yuk Young-soo. Director Heo Jin-ho, who opened a new horizon for Korean melodrama with "Christmas in August" and also directed "The Last Princess", "The Map Against the Sky" and "A Normal Family", has again created a highly accomplished work with meticulous and precise direction.
Taking as its motif a historical event that shook Korea, it expands the incident's surface into cinematic imagination and completes a high-density mystery investigation by adding tight tension and deep emotional textures. It was officially invited to the gala section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, receiving recognition for its artistry, and it delivers intense immersion and a deep aftertaste.
Park Hae-il gave a passionate performance as Jae-hwan, a reporter for Dongsung Ilbo and head of the social affairs desk. He returned to the screen after four years following the 2022 releases that drew 7.26 million viewers for "Hansan: Rising Dragon" and 1.91 million for "Decision to Leave".
Park Hae-il and Lee Minho paired as senior and junior reporters at Dongsung Ilbo, and they first met at the production company's office. Park Hae-il said, "He was really well-proportioned, so I thought, 'Someone like this at a newspaper?' (laughs). At the same time I read director Heo Jin-ho's move. I was realistically curious why Minho should join this film, but I think it becomes an artistic 'excuse' for the audience. I think they will find this part interesting," adding, "Minho actually has masculinity while also giving off the vibe of Shin Sung-il from the 1970s. It's not a strange image. He has bold, distinct features. It feels like someone who could realistically have existed in 1974, and if you look at Shin Sung-il's younger years, they resemble each other."
In response to the remark, "Actually, when casting Yoo Hai Jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Minho was announced, some reacted, 'surprising'," he replied, "You can look at director Heo Jin-ho's filmography. Bae Yong-joon, Jung Woosung... (laughs) I also read Minho as an actor who has the facets the director might need based on his previous roles. I read that."
He continued, "And it seemed like Minho had let everything go. He even came to the set several times when he wasn't filming, maybe because he felt awkward to speak. Minho's position is different from mine. The moment he appears, fans somehow knew where he had been contacted from and really came. Fans from various countries showed up to an astonishing degree," adding, "He knew that would put pressure on the set, but because he was too curious and wanted to support us, he came. When he visited, said a word and smiled, the staff were energized. I was very grateful," praising his junior's attitude.
Park Hae-il personally helped Lee Minho with his lines during Minho's first shoot, and about the reason he said, "It was Minho's first shoot. So I wanted to see and feel how Minho moved on set. It was a payphone scene where he was calling me. Since it was content that would later be received at the newspaper, I would anyway have to act at the newspaper later. I had to rehearse directly, so it was killing two birds with one stone. I went to take care of my part," offering a humble comment.
Meanwhile, "Assassin(s)" opens on the 23rd.<
[Photo] Provided by Hive media corp
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