“Did being a Hallyu star make you feel burdened by playing Ahn Jung-geun? Not at all. I didn’t care about that. I was just afraid of whether I could embody the weight of that person (General Ahn Jung-geun)..."
Actor Hyun Bin (42) makes a desperate return to the screen. He tells the story of those who thought of their country before themselves, particularly focusing on the 'noble soul' Ahn Jung-geun in the film 'Harbin' (directed by Woo Min-ho). Meeting Hyun Bin at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 19th, he said he only thought of Ahn Jung-geun.
Hyun Bin stated, “Since Ahn Jung-geun is an incredibly significant and symbolic figure in our country, I initially declined because I didn’t feel capable of handling it. However, as I revisited the script, various emotions arose. Each time I read it, the text changed slightly, and it kept getting better. I was amazed by the director's intensity, and I thought I might never get another chance to portray such a great character. I felt it was a tremendous opportunity and an honor, so I told the director I would do it and expressed my gratitude for the offer.”
“It was really tough both mentally and physically throughout the shoot. I couldn’t shake off the extreme pressure until the end, and I still feel that pressure significantly. (Laughs) During filming, I relied on the power of the locations, the makeup, and the energy of my colleagues. It felt like everyone was united in determination.”
Hyun Bin expressed, “I can’t stop thinking about Ahn Jung-geun. Even now. He is someone I want to get closer to in any way possible,” adding, “No matter what I imagine, I had doubts about whether I could truly understand his feelings, and I feel like I couldn’t reach him completely. I desperately wanted to meet him even in a dream, but he didn’t appear. I still want to connect with him, and even if I can’t, I want to convey this sincerity.”
In 1908, in Shin Asan, North Hamgyeong Province, the independence army led by Ahn Jung-geun (played by Hyun Bin) achieves a significant victory against the Japanese army. Ahn Jung-geun, a lieutenant general of the Korean army, releases Japanese prisoners of war according to international law, but this incident leads to a counterattack, causing doubts about Ahn Jung-geun's leadership among the independence fighters and creating rifts.
A year later, in Vladivostok, Ahn Jung-geun, along with Woo Deok-soon (Park Jung-min), Kim Sang-hyun (Jo Woo-jin), Gong Bu-in (Jeon Yeo-bin), Choi Jae-hyung (Yoo Jae-myung), and Lee Chang-seob (Lee Dong-wook), gather again to reclaim their lost country. Upon hearing that Ito Hirobumi (Lily Franky) is heading to Harbin for negotiations with Russia, Ahn Jung-geun and the independence army head to Harbin, while the Japanese army pursues them after obtaining information about their operations that leaked from within. With a singular goal of eliminating the old wolf, they sacrifice their lives once more.
The film expands its scale with global locations in Mongolia, Latvia, and Korea. The opening war sequence is particularly overwhelming. It vividly portrays General Ahn Jung-geun while also addressing the human struggles of Ahn Jung-geun.
“While portraying Ahn Jung-geun, I studied the history given to me, examined the decisions he made in various situations, and imagined them. It might be idealistic, but it’s not wrong, so I felt a range of emotions.”
He also mentioned the chemistry with his fellow actors. Hyun Bin said, “They are truly remarkable actors who don’t need any modifiers. I couldn’t help but respect the performance of Lily Franky, who played Ito Hirobumi, as well as my fellow independence fighters. I expressed my gratitude for the difficult decisions they made, and I said that if I have the opportunity to participate in a stage greeting for this film in Japan, I would gladly do so. I was happy and honored to act alongside such excellent actors.”
Regarding the special appearance of actor Lee Dong-wook, he said, “He was full of wit and had great energy. There were scenes between the two of us that were added on set, which became one of my favorite scenes in this work,” adding, “There was no sense of alienation, and it felt comfortable. The calm conversations with a comrade who is going through life-and-death situations deeply resonated with me. He is a colleague I would like to meet again anytime.”
Hyun Bin appeared on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' ('You Quiz') the day before. He drew attention by sharing his love story with his fellow actor and wife Son Ye-jin, as well as stories about their child.
Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin first connected through the film 'Negotiation' and later had a deep romantic chemistry in the drama 'Crash Landing on You.' After the drama ended, they developed into a couple and tied the knot, welcoming a healthy son.
Hyun Bin expressed, “Since my wife is also a colleague, there’s a lot we empathize with without needing to say much. Perhaps that’s why even small words of encouragement, like ‘You did well,’ carry a heavy weight. She is always a great source of comfort.”
He described himself as an 'ordinary dad,' saying, “I think I’m like any other parent. However, I deeply contemplate what kind of dad I want to be and should be. It’s different from my father’s generation. The relationship with my son always seems challenging. I’m really struggling between being a friend-like dad and a strict dad.”
He added, “Now that I have a son, I find myself thinking more about the world we will pass on to the next generation. In that sense, I think the message our film conveys is profound. Moreover, given the current situation, I feel that the implications of our film resonate significantly. I believe it continues to show us the reasons we need to move forward.”
“This is not a film aiming for a refreshing punch. I wanted to show the arduous journey of the independence fighters in turbulent times, and I hope the line ‘Kareya Ura!’ shouted at the end resonates more strongly than Ahn Jung-geun’s face in the audience's ears, including for our child who will see it someday.”
