[TF Interview] Challenges and Distinctions... Park Hae-il Talks About 'The Assassins'

Park Hae-il, who plays the role of Jaewan, the head of the social affairs department at a newspaper, reunites with director Hur Jin-ho."This is not a work that offers answers or solutions... I hope it serves as an opportunity to learn about the incident."Actor Park Hae-il held an interview regarding the release of the movie 'Assassination(s)'. / Hive Media Corp.[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] This is his first screen comeback in four years, his second collaboration with director Hur Jin-ho in 10 years, and he has taken on the role of a journalist, a profession he had never portrayed before. As it is a chase thriller based on real history, it also captures social phenomena, making its differentiation from other films clear. 'Assassination(s)' is a film that will remain special for actor Park Hae-il in many ways.He held an interview with on the 10th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the release of the movie 'Assassination(s)' (directed by Hur Jin-ho). Playing the role of Jaewan, the head of the social affairs department at a newspaper, he told reporters, "Since the journalists became the first audience, I was able to have a very interesting experience through this work," sharing his unique thoughts and various stories.'Assassination(s)', which will be screened on the 23rd, is a mystery chase film that traces the suspicions and behind-the-scenes of the assassination of the First Lady that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974, adding cinematic imagination to the remaining records and unanswered questions to this day. Director Hur Jin-ho, who has delicately explored characters and events through films like 'The Last Princess' and 'Christmas in August', took the megaphone.'Assassination(s)' is also drawing much attention as it marks Park Hae-il's return to the screen after four years, following 'Decision to Leave' and 'Hansan: Rising Dragon' released in 2022. To this, he emphasized, "It was such a good scenario that I felt like I had waited four years for this work."Park Hae-il plays the role of Jaewan, the head of the social affairs department at a newspaper, reuniting with director Hur Jin-ho after 10 years. / Hive Media Corp.This project was even more special for Park Hae-il because he reunited with director Hur Jin-ho 10 years after 'The Last Princess' (2016). Receiving a script from a director he had worked with before was a very welcome experience as a person. At the same time, as an actor, there was a sense of responsibility and pressure to show a new side without repeating his previous work."This time, I focused on differences in rhythm and speed. Director Hur Jin-ho's films don't have that much speed. But I felt that the director's rhythm was evolving. So, I tried to show acting that conveyed speed."In the play, Jaewan is the head of the social affairs department at a newspaper with a firm belief that does not waver in the face of truth. He is a character who uncovers the truth of the incident without yielding to countless censorships and external pressures. Park Hae-il, who played this role, approached the profession of a journalist without distinguishing between the past and the present. He made special efforts to be free from the attitude of teaching or lecturing his team members as a department head, and he densely portrayed the face of a journalist who records the times."Since I debuted in 2000, I've met journalists every time I've presented a work. As a natural person and as an actor, I had experienced this profession, physically embodied it, and remembered it, but I hadn't thought of it as a character. So, when I was offered the role, I really wanted to do well. After experiencing it indirectly this time, I realized it's a very attractive but difficult profession. Yet, in terms of conveying information and objective facts to the public, I felt it was similar to an actor conveying emotional motives between the director and the audience."The newspaper, which perfectly captured the atmosphere and temperature of that era, with the director Hur Jin-ho's clear intention of wanting the actors to act naturally and realistically in a set that was not artificial and showed the wear and tear of time, became a good space for Park Hae-il to immerse himself in the role of Jaewan. Also, not being alone, but acting in various professions, he was able to form a real team by organically meshing with the other actors who filled the space like gears."I wanted to do well in all the scenes that took place in such an attractive and pleasing space. I wanted to persuade the audience as a journalist at the newspaper. Also, since Jaewan is a character who explodes within the space, I tried to portray his attitude of protecting it well and to be natural. I tried to go for a hard-hitting and fast-paced approach with the other actors."Park Hae-il revealed the reason for his decision to appear in the film, saying, "It was such a good scenario that I felt like I had waited four years for this work." / Hive Media Corp.Park Hae-il expresses the character's sharp judgment and unwavering belief with a firm voice and gaze, fully revealing his strong conviction and resolute will. While possessing both heavy charisma and human warmth, he maintains a calm tone and keeps the work from becoming too heated, acting as a stabilizing force. This is especially evident in the scene of the declaration of free press practice."I tried to experience the backstories well, accumulate them steadily, and then convey them persuasively as an actor. It was a scene where I had to shout a speech in a chaotic situation where dozens of journalists stood with their arms crossed in solidarity, and agents from the Central Intelligence Agency, who were censoring newspapers, broke through the glass door. All the actors there were prepared with the same intensity. It was an intensity I had never seen before. I felt burdened but also felt a sense of unity, which helped me a lot. If you look closely, I even stumble over my words, but in that chaotic situation, it seemed strange to read them clearly. I went with the flow."Park Hae-il expressed his gratitude to the actors he worked with that day, and showed special respect for Yoo Hae-jin, with whom he was working on a project together for the first time in 16 years since 'Moss' (2010). He emphasized, "As a senior who is making a significant contribution to the Korean film industry, it felt like I was witnessing the important footsteps of a senior who is ahead of me in real-time as a direct junior."Regarding Lee Min-ho, he added, "He is an actor who plays a tall and modern character, but when I looked closely, he had a deep impression like Shin Sung-il from the 70s. He has masculinity and boyishness. When he smiles, he has an innocent and cute look, and I thought director Hur Jin-ho would capture these two aspects well. I had no doubt that it would be a good outcome, and it was enjoyable on set."Park Hae-il encouraged many to watch 'Assassination(s)', saying, "The appeal of this work is that it features various actors and deals with a subject that all generations can enjoy together." / Hive Media Corp.The film is a suspense genre based on the assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo, which occurred during the Liberation Day ceremony in 1974. Park Hae-il, who delved into that era by listening to stories from director Hur Jin-ho about events that happened before he was born, and how he received and conveyed them to the audience, became a subject of curiosity."The word 'truth' seems difficult to grasp, whether in the past or present. However, 'Assassination(s)' is not a work that offers answers or solutions. It informs the audience about a part of the incident through the eyes of detectives and journalists. Different generations will perceive it differently, but those who didn't know much about it can enjoy it as a thriller, and it can also serve as an opportunity to learn about the incident. This is probably the essence of what we have created."'Assassination(s)' will be released on the same day as 'Tazza: The High Rollers' (tentative title), led by Byun Yo-han and Noh Jae-won. With films like 'Bikwang', 'The Intern', and 'Revival Man: The Red' being screened before and after, the upcoming Chuseok holiday movie season is expected to be exceptionally rich. Park Hae-il expressed joy rather than pressure about this, stating, "A great feast has been prepared to introduce Korean films to the audience," and requested much interest."We believe the appeal lies in the fact that it features diverse actors and deals with a subject that all generations can enjoy together. As it is a chase thriller, we hope you will experience that era with a fast pace and rhythm. If you follow the movie through the journalist I played or from the perspective of the police officer played by senior Yoo Hae-jin, there are points where they cross over. And the feeling you get when you watch the final cookie video and leave is a point of differentiation from the films opening at the same time."jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]