[Seulssine] Forbidden Indulgence, Banned Chinese Book Blossoms on Screen... Yeon Woo-jin & Jian in 'Serve'

Movie 'Inmin-eul Wihae Boksuhara' Press Screening
Starring Actors Yeon Woo-jin and Jian

Jian Yeon Woo-jin / Photo by JNC Media Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] A precarious soldier torn by the intense temptation of a forbidden other blooms on the late winter screen. The film features deeply intense love scenes and bold performances by the actors.

The film Serve the People (directed by Jang Cheol-su) was unveiled on the afternoon of the 14th at a press screening held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

Mugwang (played by Yeon Woo-jin), a model soldier who becomes a cook at the division commander's residence, strives to succeed for the sake of his wife and child. He endures all kinds of criticism from his seniors to provide a better urban life for his family.

Believing that serving the division commander's family is equivalent to serving the people, Mugwang wavers when the commander is away on a business trip and faces the dangerous temptation of his wife, Suryeon (played by Jian). Mugwang and Jian passionately desire each other, and as they gradually get to know one another, their thirst grows. A dense romance between two precarious individuals standing on the boundary of societal taboos unfolds over 146 minutes.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Chinese novelist Yan Lianke, published in a literary magazine in 2005. The original work was immediately banned upon release for contrasting the revolutionary language conveyed by a nation's supreme leader with the language of love, but it gained support from readers and was published in over 20 countries worldwide.

The original novel, which sparked controversy for its poetic and provocative depiction of sexuality, was officially published in Korea in 2008 and received praise for its delicate portrayal of power lust, human desire, and sexual appetite. Director Jang Cheol-su, known for The Truth Beneath and Secretly, Greatly, devoted nine years to completing the film adaptation.

Yeon Woo-jin, who debuted in 2009 with the film Are We Friends?, has been loved as the "romantic comedy king" through dramas such as Introverted Boss, Marriage, Not Dating, Another Miss Oh, and Queen for Seven Days. Recently, he has been transforming his acting across various works, and in Serve the People, he reveals a bold new side as the soldier Mugwang.

Mugwang deeply struggles between his goals and beliefs and the forbidden love he willingly wants to fall into. Regarding the intense love scenes he performed, he said, "The script was literary yet bleak, but thanks to Jian, who brought rich ideas to fill the gaps and accepted them, I was able to participate. The bed scenes were not easy, but through filming, Jian and I developed camaraderie beyond just co-stars. It feels like we are being discharged together at this moment."

About Serve the People, he explained, "I hoped it would be a film people revisit time and again. It is a work that touches human emotions and stimulates instincts."

In the film, Suryeon (played by Jian) marries the division commander at a young age and is loved but has an inner void that has never been fulfilled, which she begins to fill through Mugwang. Director Jang Cheol-su said, "I wanted Suryeon to have a strength as vast as the earth and as warm as the sea, and Jian expressed that well. The external role models were Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun, sisters from the Samsung family. Aren't they elegant and beautiful? I told Jian and the production team that she should appear that way."

Regarding Mugwang’s character not using a dialect, Director Jang explained, "I wanted to bring out the melodrama well," adding, "I wanted to restore the sense of homogeneity that socialist people are just like us. It was also to eliminate prejudice and bias."

Director Jang Cheol-su / Photo by JNC Media Group

Furthermore, Director Jang said, "When I brought up this story, there were conversations about whether I would get shot. I wanted to make it well so as not to harm the work," adding, "I thought of it as a reflection everyone in this era must read. Through characters suffering from not obtaining freedom and love, I want to convey reflection and comfort to humanity."

Serve the People will be released on the 23rd. Director Jang Cheol-su urged, "Since the film will not be released on OTT (online streaming services), please make sure to watch it in theaters."

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