Will the 14 Billion Disaster Film 'Sinkhole' Filled with Humor and Melodrama Succeed? [Comprehensive]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] The melodrama is gone, and it feels younger. The 14 billion won film 'Sinkhole' is coming. Attention is focused on how this disaster movie with a cheerful charm will be received by audiences this summer.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, a press screening of the movie 'Sinkhole' was held at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Actors Cha Seung-won, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Hye-jun, Kwon So-hyun, Nam Da-reum, and director Kim Ji-hoon attended the event.

'Sinkhole' is a disaster blockbuster about a man who falls into a massive sinkhole 500 meters underground after finally acquiring his own home after 11 years. It depicts intense survival action in a life-or-death situation.

It is the new work by director Kim Ji-hoon, who directed the disaster film 'Tower' (2012), released after 9 years. The director pointed out the difference from his previous work, saying, "I wanted to direct a humanistic film that captures the density and energy of each character."

Regarding the setting of the sinkhole 500 meters underground, director Kim Ji-hoon said, "The space of the sinkhole was vague but interesting. I thought it would be a fearful and vast space, so I set it that way. During the script reading process, the 500-meter background was naturally established. I vaguely set it as a space that is not easy to rescue from."

About the disaster situation directed in a cheerful way, director Kim Ji-hoon said, "Adding cheerful humor to a disaster was a challenge. I received help from actors Cha Seung-won, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, and others. They gave me many ideas, so I was able to direct comfortably."

He continued, "The challenge was how to escape when experiencing a disaster. I hoped the audience would approach it not as a disaster but as an experience, an enjoyable event. I thought a lot about how to convey fun to the audience."

Cha Seung-won plays Mansu, a three-job worker living with his only family, his son. He cited the reason for appearing as "a movie with a well-completed script." He added, "The situation created the character well. Each character who breathed with me completed my role."

He said, "I was curious about what it would be like to fall into a sinkhole 500 meters underground, a space I had never experienced before. I imagined it while listening to director Kim Ji-hoon's explanation of the situation during filming." He recalled, "It was a hard-fought site. The difficult acting came out naturally."

Kim Sung-kyun plays Dong-won, a breadwinner who succeeded in acquiring his own home after 11 years. He said, "The actual ages of the children and Soo-chan, the son in the film, were similar. I felt like I was with my son every moment during filming."

Regarding Dong-won, Kim Sung-kyun described him as "an ordinary person" and added, "I discussed the role with the director from the beginning, and this was the most important part."

Lee Kwang-soo and Kim Hye-jun play Deputy Manager Kim and an intern, respectively, who get caught up in an unexpected incident while attending Dong-won's housewarming party. Lee Kwang-soo said, "At first, Deputy Manager Kim is selfish and annoying, but I hoped to show his gradual growth due to the surrounding situation inside the sinkhole. Every moment of filming felt like a disaster," he recalled.

Kim Hye-jun said, "I focused on what kind of relationships my character forms with others and what decisions she makes in each situation," highlighting her role's focus.

'Sinkhole' will be released on August 11.

Photo=Showbox