Adapted from a 2001 True Story Film
Director Kwak Kyung-taek "Reedited Considering Young Audience"
Director Kwak Kyung-taek, known for films such as 'Friend' (2001) and 'Secretly, Greatly' (2015), returns to the screen with 'Firefighter,' which depicts the fire incident in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. This tragedy occurred in March 2001 when an arson fire at a multi-family house in Hongje-dong resulted in the deaths of six firefighters from the Western Fire Station and left three others seriously injured.
At the press screening of 'Firefighter' held at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Director Kwak said, "Films based on true events require caution. Honoring someone's sacrifice while appealing to the audience feels shameful as a director. I focused more on intensity than on skill or technique in directing."
'Firefighter' portrays the story of firefighters who are deployed with the goal of rescuing everyone despite harsh conditions. Actor Joo Won, who plays the rookie firefighter Cheol-woong from the Western Fire Station, said, "Although I was happy and enjoyed filming on set, I felt a heavy heart because the film is based on a true story. I always thought of the firefighters while acting." Kim Min-jae, who plays firefighter Yong-tae, said, "Because it is a story about people close to us but whom we have not looked into, I definitely wanted to participate."
Actors Joo Won (from left), Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Yoo-young, director Kwak Kyung-taek, actors Kim Min-jae, Oh Dae-hwan, Lee Joon-hyuk, and Jang Young-nam attending the production presentation of 'Firefighter'. Photo by Yonhap News.
Director Kwak, who consecutively adapted true story-based films such as 'Secretly, Greatly,' which deals with a kidnapping case in Busan in 1978, and 'The Battle: Roar to Victory' (2019), which portrays figures who participated in the Jangsa Landing Operation, a diversionary operation of the Incheon Landing Operation, said, "When I first received the script for 'Firefighter,' I was reluctant to direct because I felt heavy-hearted about the stories of the sacrificed firefighters." He continued, "When I asked the person who gave me the script why they wanted to tell this story, they said, 'Shouldn't this story be told at least once?' At that moment, I realized that a deep sense of debt toward firefighters had taken root inside me."
Director Kwak, who is most concerned about the actual firefighters' reactions, said, "I hope firefighters watch the film and feel that it is 'our story.' If they feel that the scenes in the movie are similar to what it was like at the actual site, I would not ask for more."
The film completed shooting in 2020 but was released on December 4, four years later, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lead actor Kwak Do-won's drunk driving incident. Kwak Do-won was caught driving under the influence in September 2022 in Jeju City. At that time, his blood alcohol concentration was 0.158%, more than twice the license cancellation limit of 0.08%. To make matters worse, Ace Maker, the investor and distributor, exited the film business, and By4M Studio stepped in as the new distributor, leading to the film's release.
The 'Firefighter' team revealed that some of Kwak Do-won's scenes as the main character, Squad Leader Jin-seop, were partially edited out, but the released film still contains a considerable amount of his footage. In fact, scenes of Kwak Do-won drinking alcohol appear multiple times without cuts. Director Kwak said, "To be honest, we did not edit the film to remove Kwak Do-won's scenes." He added, "The film, which finished shooting four years ago, was slower-paced than current trends, so we re-edited it to make it more enjoyable for younger audiences."
Director Kwak said, "Nowadays, the world has changed, and I watch online streaming service (OTT) content, but honestly, there aren't many films or dramas that I would like." He added, "'Firefighter' is somewhat heavy, but it will be a film where the emotions resonate in a fresh way."
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