'Firefighter' Director Kwak Kyung-taek, Drunk Driving Kwak Do-won "Hateful and Resentful"

Movie 'Sobang-gwan' Delayed
Set to Release Next Month, Over 4 Years After Wrap
Director Kwak Kyung-taek Tells Kwak Do-won "Needs Time for Reflection"

Director Kwak Kyung-taek, ahead of the release of the film 'Firefighter,' expressed his feelings toward lead actor Kwak Do-won, who caused controversy due to drunk driving, saying, "Honestly, I find him very hateful and resentful." At the production briefing for the film 'Firefighter' held on the morning of the 8th at Yongsan CGV in Seoul, Director Kwak said, "He must take great responsibility for what he has done. He needs a time of deep reflection and self-restraint." Kwak Do-won did not attend the briefing, but Director Kwak and actors Joo Won, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Joon-hyuk, and Lee Yoo-young were present.

Previously, 'Firefighter' completed filming in 2020, but its release was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Kwak Do-won's suspension of activities after being booked for drunk driving in September 2022. Eventually, it will be screened in theaters on the 4th of next month, more than four years after wrapping up filming. Director Kwak said, "I wondered if the release date would ever come, but finally it is here. Although I have worked on many projects, this one makes me especially nervous and excited." He added, "A firefighter I met recently told me, 'Firefighters enter the scene as a team, not alone. There are other actors too, so stay strong.' I came here with that same mindset."

Director Kwak Kyung-taek is giving a greeting at the production briefing for the movie "Firefighter" held on the morning of the 8th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

'Firefighter' is based on an arson incident that occurred in 2001 at a multi-family house in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and depicts the story of firefighters fighting desperately to extinguish a fire. Kwak Do-won plays the lead role of Jin-seop, a veteran firefighter. Regarding whether Kwak Do-won's scenes were edited out, Director Kwak explained, "Due to the story's development, we did not significantly remove Kwak Do-won's scenes. Actually, we couldn't. After four years, many people have become accustomed to OTT platforms and short-form rhythms, so we edited tightly to match the current audience's pace, only naturally cutting parts that could be omitted."

Director Kwak, who initially declined the directing offer when he first received the script, said, "Just hearing the word 'firefighter' always made me feel apologetic. I felt it was right to do something for them, so I eventually took on the directing role." He explained, "I did my best to show how terrifying fire scenes are and how much courage firefighters need." He added, "I only hope our sincerity reaches everyone. I trusted our team and courageously came here. I hope it is well conveyed to the audience."

Actor Kwak Do-won. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Kwak Do-won was charged with driving his Palisade vehicle for about 10 km on a road near Geumnung-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si at the time. He was caught by police who responded to a resident's report that "a car parked on the road was not moving," after he had stopped the vehicle on the road and fallen asleep. His blood alcohol concentration at the time was 0.158%, which is above the license cancellation limit. In April of last year, Kwak Do-won received a summary indictment with a fine of 10 million won for the drunk driving (violation of the Road Traffic Act) charge, after which he suspended his activities and took time for self-reflection. Previously, Kwak Do-won was also involved in a controversy over allegedly assaulting staff at a 'Firefighter' company dinner in 2020. At that time, his agency stated, "There was only a loud argument, no assault."