[Focus] 'Hero' Proves Values More Important Than Money

Director Yoon Je-kyun's Successful Challenge in Historical Drama
Surpasses 3.2 Million, Not Jealous of 10 Million
"Learn About An Jung-geun in History by Watching the Movie"
Meaning and Value Beyond Monetary Calculation

An era that values 'meaning' over money. In the theater industry, surpassing 10 million viewers and breaking even are important, but the 3.21 million people who watched the movie Hero carry a significance beyond box office success. Why is that?

Hero depicts the last year of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, from the time he prepared for his assassination of Ito Hirobumi in Harbin in October 1909, to the moment of his death after receiving a death sentence from the Japanese court. Director Yoon Je-kyun adapted the musical of the same name, which premiered in 2009 and has met audiences for 14 years, onto the screen.

The film was released on December 21 last year and surpassed 3 million viewers in 38 days. According to the Korea Film Council's integrated box office data on the 15th, Hero recorded a cumulative audience of 3,218,500. Although it is slightly short of the break-even point of 3.5 million, it is expected not to incur losses. Considering the theater atmosphere is not the same as before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement deserves applause. While it may be a modest success for director Yoon, who expanded the market and rewrote Korean film history with his 'double 10 million' achievements, Hero holds something more important than 'money.'

Box Office < Historical Value

[Photo by Yonhap News]

"I've made two films that surpassed 10 million viewers over more than 20 years of filmmaking, but I'm happier with the 3.2 million viewers of Hero than with those 10 million. I'm confident this will be a film remembered until I die." (Yoon Je-kyun)

Director Yoon reflected on the meaning beyond box office success during the Hero Remember Screening and GV (talk with the audience) held at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at 9:30 p.m. on the 14th. What makes the 3.21 million viewers of Hero more special than the 10 million viewers of Haeundae (2009) and Ode to My Father (2014)?

Ahn Jung-geun's Harbin assassination is a history we must never forget. Ahn assassinated Ito Hirobumi, the chief architect of Japanese imperialism and Governor-General of Korea, in Harbin, Manchuria. Along with Jo Do-seon, Woo Deok-soon, Yoo Dong-ha, Yoo Seung-ryeol, Kim Seong-hwa, and Tak Gong-gyu, he formed a seven-person alliance to punish imperialism. Marksman Jo Do-seon, along with Woo Deok-soon and Yoo Dong-ha, waited at Chaegagu Station, but since the train passed Chaegagu and stopped at Harbin Station, the assassination was successfully carried out by Ahn Jung-geun.

Ahn Jung-geun shouted "Korea Wura" (Long live Korean independence) loudly three times and surrendered peacefully. He was imprisoned in Lushun Prison along with Jo Do-seon, Woo Deok-soon, and Yoo Dong-ha. Ahn died in 1910 and was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation by the Republic of Korea. How can we forget the heart of the 32-year-old youth who calmly walked to the execution ground, not wanting to give the impression he begged for his life? The film portrays this without distortion. The musical genre serves as a device to immerse the audience in the film.

Jung Sung-hwa said, "I've performed Hero for 14 years, from the 2009 musical to the film. The musical recently surpassed 1 million viewers. The film's impact is tremendous." He added, "The correct answer to the exam question 'Ahn Jung-geun is a patriot' was answered by someone as 'Ahn Jung-geun is Jung Sung-hwa.' I will continue to express Ahn Jung-geun sincerely and responsibly."

"I've watched Hero 72 times. Honestly, I didn't know much about history, but after watching the film, I learned about Ahn Jung-geun." (Audience member A)

The words of an audience member who learned about history they were previously uninterested in through the film are impressive. Recently, the 'May 18 Democratic Uprising' was removed from the curriculum, and there have been unfortunate incidents of war crimes being downplayed and the Japanese colonial period being distorted in history textbooks. In this context, it is important to note that Hero awakened 3.2 million people to a history that might otherwise be forgotten. This holds historical value that cannot be measured in money. It is simply difficult to apply a break-even standard. At least the 3.2 million viewers will not forget the greatness of Ahn Jung-geun.

A Challenge Possible Because of 'Yoon Je-kyun'

Director Yoon Je-kyun Photo by Yonhap News

Approaching historical dramas is not easy. Directing a film about Ahn Jung-geun's life is a considerable burden. For directors who cannot escape box office results, making a historical drama about Ahn Jung-geun is certainly difficult. Who would dare to attempt it? It was a challenge possible because of director Yoon Je-kyun, who achieved the 'double 10 million' milestone and expanded the Korean film market.

The challenge succeeded. Yoon, who has been recognized as a director who excels at making films loved by many, proved through Hero that he pursues values beyond box office and money. Some envy the title 'box office director' attached to his name, but Yoon Je-kyun's path stands out for not being confined to that and seeking other meanings.

On February 14, 1910, the day Ahn Jung-geun was sentenced to death, 114 years later, the Hero team gathered for a GV that shone even brighter. Director Yoon and actors Jung Sung-hwa, Kim Go-eun, Bae Jung-nam, and Park Jin-joo gathered to mark a meaningful finale for Hero. Having started the first promotion with reporters in Busan last October, the director and actors, knowing this significance, willingly bowed to the audience in the theater even four months later. Their passion was like the first or second weekend after release. They shook hands with each departing audience member, expressing their gratitude.

Kim Go-eun said, "Today is the last promotional schedule, and it is moving and miraculous that over 3 million viewers have watched the film. It is a number with great meaning. I am grateful for the love."

Park Jin-joo said, "At every event, I always gave my best with the thought that it might be the last time meeting everyone. I don't usually cry much, but strangely, I get emotional only at Hero events."

Bae Jung-nam said, "I feel bittersweet. Promoting a film for five months is unheard of, and I am thankful. We competed against Avatar: The Way of Water and came this far, isn't that amazing? With few screenings, we endured, dropped, and climbed back repeatedly to get here. Please watch it multiple times."

Hero calmly challenged the Hollywood heavyweight film Avatar: The Way of Water and held its ground in theaters this winter. Although competing with Avatar: The Way of Water, which became the first 10 million viewer film of the year, was somewhat overwhelming, Hero will be remembered as a film that achieved a more valuable 3.2 million viewers.

Hero, made with affection, will soon be released on DVD. Director Yoon said, "We carefully filmed the scene where Park Jin-joo and Lee Hyun-woo sing 'Is This First Love?' but it was cut in the final edit. We have already prepared it so you can watch it when the DVD comes out. The song 'Arirang' sung by Bae Jung-nam and Jo Jae-yoon is also fun but was cut due to length. That will also be included in the DVD," he hinted.