[Interview] Director Kim Han-min, Casting Jo Se-ho Sparked by Variety Show

Next After Yi Sun-sin is Modern History... Planning the Next Work on the Korean Empire
Considering Various Versions to be Released Both Online and Offline is Important

Director Kim Han-min. Photo by Lotte Entertainment

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "The Korean film industry is in such a difficult state that it feels like it might collapse. There was a brief surge in the summer, but after Chuseok, the theaters have entered a lull. Most filmmakers feel a sense of crisis. I hope 'Hansan Redux' will serve as a signal for a new collaboration following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are trying various approaches, so please look upon it kindly."

Director Kim Han-min (53) said this while presenting the director's extended cut of the film Hansan: Rising Dragon, titled Hansan Redux. In a video interview from London on the morning of the 18th, Director Kim expressed confidence, saying, "This is more than just an extended cut; we will show a meticulously completed film."

Emphasizing the significance of releasing Hansan Redux, Director Kim stressed, "The theater industry must also keep pace with the changing times after the pandemic." He added, "It is important to first decide in what format the work will be made. Planning considerations are essential. Whether to make it for theaters or to extend it for online streaming services (OTT) must be set according to the platform. Beyond simple formats, multiple versions can be released both online and offline in various ways. How to collaborate is crucial in this era."

The director's extended cut Hansan Redux, which adds 21 minutes and 15 seconds to the film Hansan: Rising Dragon that attracted 7.26 million viewers and was a box office success, was released on the 16th. The extended cut covers the untold stories of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s anguish and those who fought in the naval battle that decided Joseon's fate during the early Imjin War in 1592. It includes additional narratives of various characters including Admiral Yi Sun-sin and enriched sequences of the Battle of Hansan. Regarding the consecutive successes, the director said, "It is a great joy that audiences appreciate a film into which we poured our souls."

A scene from the movie 'Hansan Redux'. Photo by Lotte Entertainment

Director Kim Han-min took on the challenge of acting as General Gwon Yul. After some consideration about casting, he decided to appear and has left open the possibility of future acting activities. "General Gwon Yul was the only role not cast until the very end. Although it was just one scene, precise acting was required, and I wanted to find an actor with the gravitas of someone like Choi Min-sik. I thought, since I understand the context of the work well, why not try acting myself? We did a test shoot, and the reactions around me were not bad. We shot 3 to 4 takes and selected the okay cut. It was a happy experience. I guess I have some acting instincts (laughs). If there’s an opportunity, I’d like to act again."

Broadcaster Jo Se-ho is also challenging acting in Director Kim Han-min’s film. A surprise meeting sparked by a variety show seems to have come to fruition. Director Kim recently shared the behind-the-scenes story after sending a film love call on the tvN variety show You Quiz on the Block. He said, "After filming, we met separately once. When I mentioned the role again, he said, 'That was fun to talk about on the show, but you don’t have to do that.' While talking, Jo Se-ho expressed a strong desire to appear, and I said, 'Then let’s do it.'"

Director Kim plans to complete the "Yi Sun-sin Trilogy" by releasing Noryang around next year, following Myeongryang (2014) and Hansan. He is also developing a drama. He hinted, "From now on, it’s a battle of universes. Ultimately, it connects to super IPs (intellectual properties) and multi-IP. Ten years ago, I created a series that built the Yi Sun-sin universe, and now the era has come where drama concepts are possible. The drama will focus on key characters involved in the seven years of the Imjin War." He added, "After finishing the drama, I want to cover modern and contemporary history. I am particularly interested in the Korean Empire and am planning accordingly."

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