▲ South Korean actor Hyun Bin, who takes on the role of Ahn Jung-geun in the film "Harbin," shares his experiences during the film's media conference held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul on Nov. 27, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Nov. 27 (Yonhap) -- "Upon arriving at a frozen lake in Mongolia, the temperature was -40°C. Lying there alone, I began to truly immerse myself in the role and thought, 'I really came to the right place.'"

 

Actor Hyun Bin, who takes on the role of Ahn Jung-geun in the film "Harbin," shared his experiences during a production briefing held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul on Wednesday. 

 

Directed by Woo Min-ho, "Harbin" is a spy drama set in 1909, revolving around independence fighters heading to Harbin for a shared cause and their ensuing conflicts with pursuers. The film is set to premiere on December 25.

 

Hyun Bin acknowledged the immense pressure of portraying such a symbolic figure. "The weight of Ahn Jung-geun's legacy and presence was overwhelming. During filming, my determination to bring sincerity to every gesture and line grew stronger," he said.

 

He further reflected, "Before his mission to assassinate Ito Hirobumi, Ahn Jung-geun must have experienced inner struggles, despair, and sorrow like any human. Yet, he continued to pursue his goal with unwavering conviction. I hoped to convey his beliefs and determination."

 

Director Woo Min-ho emphasized that Harbin aims to portray "the human side of Ahn Jung-geun" rather than focusing solely on his heroism, as past works have done. "I wanted to delve into the fears and camaraderie he might have felt, aiming for a sublime resonance of his emotions against the vast landscapes and natural surroundings," Woo explained.

 

▲ Woo Min-ho, the director of historical film "Harbin," shares his experiences during the film's media conference held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul on Nov. 27, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

After directing the political thriller "The Man Standing Next (2020)," Woo had vowed not to take on another period drama. However, upon encountering the script for Harbin, he was drawn to Ahn Jung-geun's story and decided to take on the challenge despite anticipating its difficulties.

 

The cast and crew traveled across Korea, Mongolia, and Latvia for the film, enduring harsh conditions such as limited infrastructure and freezing temperatures. Woo remarked, "To capture the spirit of Ahn Jung-geun and the independence fighters, we believed we couldn't take the easy route. Although incomparable, enduring hardships allowed us to glimpse their sacrifices."

 

Actress Jeon Yeo-been, who plays a member of the independence movement, shared her perspective on the unique atmosphere created by the Mongolian desert. "Standing alone in the endless expanse of land, I felt a profound sense of solitude and isolation that is deeply reflected in the film," she said.

 

She added, "Had we filmed in Seoul, I doubt we could have felt the same strong sense of camaraderie and solidarity. Running across the Manchurian plains during production made me reflect on the hardships faced by the independence fighters. Compared to their struggles, what we endured was nothing."

 

▲ South Korean actress Jeon Yeo-been, who plays a member of the independence movement in the film "Harbin," shares her experiences during the film's media conference held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul on Nov. 27, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

Harbin also features a stellar ensemble cast, including Park Jung-min as Ahn Jung-geun's comrade Woo Deok-soon, Jo Woo-jin as interpreter Kim Sang-hyun, Yoo Jae-myung as independence activist Choi Jae-hyung, Park Hoon as Japanese Army Major Mori Tatsuo, and Lee Dong-wook as fellow comrade Lee Chang-seop, who clashes with Ahn Jung-geun.

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