[Interview②] 'Chimipja' Kim Mu-yeol "Feeling Responsible for the First Commercial Film During the COVID-19 Crisis"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Kim Mu-yeol candidly shared his thoughts on releasing a film amid the resurgence of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection).

On the morning of the 1st, Kim Mu-yeol spoke about his work during an interview held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the release of the film The Intruder (director Son Won-pyung).

The cinema industry has been struggling with record low audience numbers day after day due to the spread of COVID-19. Since then, as the number of confirmed cases gradually decreased, new releases have been steadily confirmed. Observing the recent resurgence trend sparked by a Seoul pub, The Intruder became the first commercial film to premiere amid the COVID-19 situation. The release faced ups and downs. The film held a production presentation aiming for a March 12 release, but the premiere was temporarily postponed due to the spread of COVID-19. After another postponement, it is finally set to be released on June 4.

On that day, Kim Mu-yeol expressed, “It’s been a while since we finished filming, and we had a long preparation period, so it’s unfortunate,” adding, “Right now, everyone’s health and safety must be prioritized, so we are preparing with special care.”

He continued, “I was more worried about the COVID-19 situation than the release date being delayed. As a member of society, I think of everyone’s safety first,” emphasizing, “I hope many people will watch the film, but above all, safety is the top priority. I hope COVID-19 calms down and is resolved quickly so that audiences can fully enjoy movies in theaters.”

He added, “I’ve heard that theaters are strictly following quarantine rules. Still, I’m cautious about encouraging people to come watch the movie.”

At the recent press screening of The Intruder, Kim Mu-yeol was surprised to see journalists and film officials seated with one seat apart to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He recalled, “I was really surprised. I had never faced such a situation before. As an actor, I also felt a sense of responsibility.” He went on to say, “I hope the day comes when people are not distant from each other. I hope good films become a bridge connecting audiences.”

Kim Mu-yeol also practiced social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He shared, “I stopped engaging in cultural activities. I just watched the news at home. As someone working in the cultural industry, it became an opportunity to think more about what I can do.”

The Intruder is a mystery thriller about a family whose missing younger brother, Yoo-jin, returns home after 25 years, and the family gradually changes. The older brother, Seo-jin, who finds this strange, pursues his brother’s secret and faces a shocking truth. Kim Mu-yeol plays Seo-jin, the older brother who had been waiting for his younger brother who disappeared 25 years ago but treats him as a stranger and distances himself after their reunion. The film opens on June 4.

Photo = Ace Maker Movie Works

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.