| Actress Jun Ji-hyun, second from left, in a scene from 'Assassination' / Courtesy of Showbox |
| Choi Dong-hoon / Yonhap |
While most Korean films failed to connect with local audiences this year, director Choi Dong-hoon, one of the most profitable filmmakers at the box office, returns with a period action thriller "Assassination" in July.
For his much anticipated espionage feature, Choi -- who brought nearly 13 million to theaters to see his 2012 action flick "The Thieves" -- presents an intertwining story of independence fighters who embark on an attempt to assassinate Japanese high-ranking officials in 1933 Seoul, when the Korean Peninsula was colonized by Japan (1910-1945).
"This film is a story of people from different backgrounds, such as pro-Japanese groups, independent fighters and contract killers," Choi told reporters at a press call in Apgujeong, southern Seoul, Monday. "It was my dream to direct a film set in the 1930s of Korea."
Choi said he embarked on a plan to direct this film after he felt curious about an old photo of the independent fighters.
"In a photo, there are people who we recognize instantly, but there are also many people whose names we don't even know. I put my focus on those nameless fighters thinking of how they had their mind to fight against Japanese imperialism.
"Also, I've noticed that a lot of younger generations are unaware of the Japanese colonial era. To tell the story of this period to them, I have studied a lot about this era as well," Choi said.
Choi added he planned to direct this film when he finished directing his second film "Tazza: The High Rollers" in 2006, but had to scrap the plan because he felt he was not ready yet.
"I wanted to direct this film right after ‘Tazza.' I was 36 years old then, but had to stop writing screenplays several times as I felt I was not ready for it. I could finish the story after ‘Thieves,'" Choi said.
"Assassination" features a number of familiar names. Actress Jun Ji-hyun, who also featured in "The Thieves," takes the leading role of female sniper Ahn Ok-yun, who plans to kill a Japanese army commander after receiving a mission from government agent Yeom Seok-jin (played by Lee Jung-jae). She is assisted by two comrades played by actors Cho Jin-woong and Choi Duk-moon.
However, they are soon put on the verge of failing to achieve the goal when they encounter a gunslinger called the Hawaii Pistol, played by Ha Jung-woo.
"It's hard to find a film that revolves around an actress, so I was honored to take a leading role in Choi's film," Jun said, adding she also would like to present audiences a moment to think about their history.
With a budget of 18 billion won ($16 million), "Assassination" was filmed over five months in Shanghai and Seoul.
"Assassination" will screen nationwide on July 22.