Tearful Leading Role Debut Jin Sun-gyu: "I Was Encouraged by Boxer Park Si-heon's Message"

Movie 'Count' Production Report
Jin Seon-gyu Becomes Boxer Park Si-heon
First Leading Role Impressions Shared with Tears

A refreshing boxing movie is hitting theaters at the end of winter. The story of boxer Park Siheon, who won a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but suffered from controversial biased judging, has been turned into the film 'Count.'

Director Kwon Hyukjae said at the press screening of the movie 'Count' held on the afternoon of the 13th at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, "I wanted to tell a story about not giving up and finding hope."

'Count' still image [Photo by CJ ENM]

Director Kwon explained, "Although the film is based on the true story of boxer Park Siheon, the story of the boxing club and family in the film is fictional." He added, "We referred to the story of Park starting boxing again. The focus was on a story about someone who had given up on something growing together with young friends while doing what they love again."

'Count' depicts the story of Siheon, a gold medalist and a my-way teacher who never lets go once he bites, meeting a ragtag group of students and delivering a cheerful punch to the world. Jin Seon-gyu plays Siheon, who won the gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but is now retired from his athletic career and works as a high school teacher in his hometown, Jinhae. After watching the match of Yoon Woo (played by Sung Yubin), a promising boxer who lost by forfeit due to a rigged match, Siheon establishes a boxing club at the school.

Boxer Park Siheon won a decision victory in the light middleweight final at the Seoul Olympics, which even he did not expect. Afterward, amid controversy over biased judging, he announced his retirement from boxing and founded a boxing team as a physical education teacher at his alma mater, Gyeongnam Jinhae Jungang High School. Starting as a national team coach in 2001, he served as the head coach of the boxing national team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, never ceasing his efforts toward a real gold medal.

Before filming, Jin Seon-gyu met former boxer Park Siheon to seek advice. He empathized and reflected on the role through his similarity to Park. He said, "I tried not to imitate Park’s appearance or mannerisms."

He continued, "As we talked, I realized that the quiet path he walked and the values he cherished were similar to mine. It was so close that it could have been 'Jin Seon-gyu' rather than 'Park Siheon.' It was strange. It felt like a role sharing 80-90% of myself." He added, "I tried to express the joy of boxing as much as possible."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The actors gathered two months before filming to train in boxing and prepare for the match scenes. Jin Seon-gyu said, "Before filming, I trained more than three days a week, four to five hours each day. I kept practicing until filming ended." Jang Dong-joo said, "If it was fake, it would show, so we acted with real hits."

Jin Seon-gyu took on his first leading role with 'Count.' He said, "I sent a text to Mr. Park Siheon saying I was nervous, and he replied, 'The best actor in Korea, Jin Seon-gyu, is stepping into the ring, so cheer up. Be brave.' Seeing that message gave me strength," showing tears. He added, "I’m very nervous," revealing the heavy responsibility he felt.

Rising actors including Sung Yubin and Jang Dong-joo play members of the high school boxing club. Sung Yubin confessed, "The filming process felt like sparring." He added, "Jin Seon-gyu gave me warm looks that encouraged me. It was physically tough, but he shared many good stories. We relied on each other," expressing gratitude. Jin Seon-gyu recalled, "I decided to meet their level somehow and do well. We adjusted our minds and filmed together."

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