'Emergency Declaration' Soong Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun Take Off Toward 10 Million Viewers [Comprehensive]

'Emergency Declaration' Production Report Site
Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Jeon Do-yeon Show 'Box Office Confidence'
Avengers-Level Casting "Feels Like Filming 7 Movies"
Comfort for Those Wounded by Disaster

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "Isn't it obviously a movie that will surpass 10 million viewers? I believed it would and participated in the project. I had 100% of that expectation."(Jeon Do-yeon)

"Song Kang-ho said in the waiting room, 'Won't it reach about 20 million?' I told him he should be a bit more humble."(Lee Byung-hun)

After completing preparations that captivated the 74th Cannes Film Festival last year, Emergency Declaration is set to take off in August. With recent award news from Cannes and the first 10 million viewer movie after the pandemic emerging in theaters, the actors collectively wished for its success amid the heated atmosphere.

Director Han Jae-rim stated at the Emergency Declaration production briefing held on the morning of the 20th at the Westin Chosun Grand Bloom in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, "I wanted to include questions and meanings about what humans think when faced with disaster, not just make a simple entertaining movie."

Emergency Declaration depicts the story that unfolds after an aviation terror incident occurs on KI501, which took off from Incheon to Hawaii, leading to an unconditional landing declaration. It was invited and screened in the non-competitive section at the 74th Cannes Film Festival held last July.

The main cast expressed special feelings about the release after two postponements due to the pandemic. Jeon Do-yeon said, "I’m nervous to appear at an official event after a long time." Director Han said, "It’s been two years since filming ended, and after watching the situation several times, it’s finally being released. I’m excited and happy to meet the audience."

Han Jae-rim, who directed Love Phobia (2005), The World of Elegance (2007), The Face Reader (2013), and The King (2017), took the helm. Why an aviation disaster? Han said, "I have a severe fear of flying. I wanted to talk about disaster situations trapped inside an airplane and about humans." He continued, "I first received the script 10 years ago, and unfortunately, our society has experienced various disasters big and small during that time. Watching them painfully made me want to make this film. I found something to say through this work."

Song Kang-ho, working with director Han for the third time after The World of Elegance and The Face Reader, said, "I have respected his persistent exploration of new worlds. Disaster films are common and universal genres, but the portrayal of not only passengers experiencing the disaster but also people on the ground was vivid. Beyond the genre, it was impressive how family, neighbors, and the social community were portrayed in a sophisticated and mature way," explaining his reason for participating.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The timely subject matter was also emphasized. Jeon Do-yeon said, "The intention behind making Emergency Declaration was good. It’s a work that offers comfort to those hurt by big and small disasters." Kim Nam-gil said, "Reality is more like a movie. I was curious about the story to be told within it."

Song Kang-ho plays In-ho, a veteran detective team leader struggling to prevent the disaster; Lee Byung-hun plays Jae-hyuk, a passenger who boarded the plane for his daughter’s treatment; Jeon Do-yeon plays Sook-hee, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport who steps up to protect the people. Im Si-wan plays Jin-seok, a passenger on the same flight, and Kim Nam-gil plays Hyun-soo, the co-pilot driven by a sense of duty to protect the passengers.

Regarding the Avengers-level casting, director Han said, "Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, and Jeon Do-yeon are actors who symbolize Korean cinema and beyond. Along with them, actors who usually take lead roles in major works appeared. As a director, wouldn’t you want to cast them? It was unbelievable and intriguing. Filming felt like shooting seven movies at once. I admired their experience and outstanding acting skills. Audiences will also enjoy watching their captivating performances."

During the pre-production period, six months were spent preparing the shooting storyboard in collaboration with art, cinematography, lighting, and VFX (visual effects) teams. Director Han said, "We imported a plane set from Hollywood, and the domestic art team decorated it to fit our sensibilities. We worked hard to create a realistic airplane."

He added, "Unlike some films that express disaster situations by just shaking the camera, we consulted with domestic special effects companies to portray realistic movements. Actual flight attendants tried it and said it was just like a real airplane, so we aimed for realistic implementation."

Lee Byung-hun, who acted on a 360-degree rotating special set, said, "When using the machine that moves the airplane, everyone was very careful about safety. The camera director had to shoot standing, tied to a pillar." Director Han said, "We paid special attention to safety during filming, and fortunately, no one was injured, and we finished shooting."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

'Emergency Declaration' Still Cut

"While preparing the film, the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) emerged. The parts created through cinematic imagination strangely resonated, and I fell into an indescribable feeling. Of course, it’s a plane movie with strong elements of horror, suspense, and entertainment, so I think audiences will enjoy it as if experiencing it in a special theater. Through mutual effort as a human community, I hope it becomes a film that makes the disasters we have passed through feel tangible and prompts reflection on disaster."(Director Han Jae-rim)

"During the last stage greeting of Broker, I met an audience that filled the seats. It’s been three years since I greeted you here with Parasite. Going through difficult times, I realized how precious and valuable this communication is. Diverse, rich, and powerful Korean films will be introduced a lot in the future, and I hope people feel difficult times as nourishment for life through films, and I sincerely hope Emergency Declaration becomes the first runner."(Song Kang-ho)

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