Movie 'Yeongung' Production Report Conference Site
Starring Jung Sung-hwa, Kim Go-eun, Bae Jung-nam, Lee Hyun-woo, Park Jin-joo, and others
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Director Yoon Je-kyun (53), who directed the films Haeundae (2009) and Ode to My Father (2014), is returning after 8 years with Hero. The director said, "I thought I wouldn't be nervous, but I am very tense," greeting the audience.
At the production briefing held on the morning of the 21st at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Director Yoon said, "I had always wanted to make the musical Hero into a film someday," sharing the beginning of the project. Jung Sung-hwa, who played An Jung-geun in the musical, also takes on the role of An Jung-geun in the film. Their connection began with Dancing Queen (2012), which Yoon produced. The director recalled, "A few years ago, I was invited by Jung Sung-hwa to watch the performance, and I felt heartbroken that I couldn't protect An Jung-geun. I made up my mind to definitely make Hero into a film someday. It has been over 10 years since I decided to produce it."
Jung Sung-hwa said, "When the director said he wanted to make it into a film after watching the performance, I didn't know I would be playing An Jung-geun. I thought someone among the film actors who could sing well would take the role. At that time, I said I would help out." He added, "After deciding to appear, my weight was close to 86kg, but the director told me to lose weight enough to be believable as An Jung-geun, so I lost 14kg. I am proud and felt a great sense of responsibility to play the lead role in Hero."
Why did they choose to make the story of An Jung-geun into a film? Director Yoon reflected with special meaning, saying, "If Ode to My Father was the story of my late father, then Hero is the story of my mother who passed away in 2017. The story of the human An Jung-geun and my mother deeply touched my heart."
Hero, a film adaptation of the original musical of the same name, depicts the unforgettable last year of An Jung-geun, who assassinated Ito Hirobumi in Harbin in October 1909, was sentenced to death by the Japanese court, and faced his death?from the time he was preparing for the act until his final moments. The cast includes Jung Sung-hwa, Kim Go-eun, Na Moon-hee, Jo Jae-yoon, Bae Jung-nam, Lee Hyun-woo, and Park Jin-joo. Director Yoon, who adapted the musical into a film, emphasized, "I chose half new and half familiar elements," adding, "We supplemented the film with An Jung-geun's past and Seol-hee's justification, which were not expressed in the musical."
The actors performed the songs appearing in the film live on set. Director Yoon laughed, saying, "The moment I decided to go live unconditionally, the pain began." He continued, "Even in winter, we couldn't wear parkas because of the sound, and during outdoor shoots, we worked hard on pest control because of insect noises. Looking back, it was tough, but I don't regret deciding on live performance."
Hero will be released in December, competing with the foreign film Avatar: The Way of Water. Director Yoon expressed confidence, calling it "a film with sincerity." He said, "I hope it does well together. The film industry is struggling, and I hope this will be a small opportunity to revive the theaters. Especially, I want Hero to bring audiences back to the cinemas."
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