▲ From L: Actors Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Seung-ho, Kang Ki-young and Kim Si-a attend a press event for the film "Reawaken Man: The Red" at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University entrance in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, on Aug. 26, 2026. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- Actor Koo Kyo-hwan will return on Sept. 30 with "Reawaken Man: The Red," his third starring film of the year following "If We Were" and "Colony."

 

At a press event for "Reawaken Man: The Red" held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance on Wednesday, Koo said, "A film's release is always something new. As an actor, I feel like I'm continuing to experience a pleasant revival."

 

Based on the webtoon "Reawaken Man," the film follows Seok-hwan, a job seeker played by Koo, who suddenly gains the ability to resurrect every time he dies.

 

Koo comically portrays the gap between an utterly ordinary man who suddenly acquires heroic powers and his new reality, while also taking on intense action sequences.

 

"It was important to faithfully perform the action the director had prepared," Koo said. "I learned the action almost like learning choreography, and tried to make the sequences work smoothly, like a dance."

 

"Above all, I thought that if the people making something are having fun, that enjoyment will also be felt by the audience, so I tried to have as much fun as possible on set," he added.

 

Shin Seung-ho plays Black, a mysterious figure who discovers Seok-hwan's powers and pursues him.

 

Koo and Shin reunite as opposing characters after previously appearing together in the Netflix series "D.P."

 

"We'll show a different kind of confrontation from what we had in 'D.P.,'" Shin said, hinting that "Seok-hwan and Black have a deeper and more intense backstory."

 

"It was a project that allowed me to show things I'd never tried before," he said. "I consider it a grateful opportunity to show many different sides of myself."

 

Koo said he discovered "many new charms of Shin Seung-ho," adding, "We looked at each other almost as if we were acting out a romance while working out our action sequences."

 

Kang Ki-young plays Seok-hwan's close friend Young-ha, while Kim Si-a plays his younger sister Ye-rin.

 

"I tried to portray a close friend who could realistically exist in everyday life," Kang said. "I was always nervous because I never knew when or how Koo Kyo-hwan, whose ad-libs are like a rugby ball, would throw something at me, but I think it came across well in the final result."

 

Director Baek Jong-yeol said he decided to adapt the original webtoon "Reawaken Man" for the big screen because he was drawn to its premise.

 

▲ Filmmaker Baek Jong-yeol attends a press event for the film "Reawaken Man: The Red" at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University entrance in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, on Aug. 26, 2026. (Yonhap)

 

"The idea of an ordinary job seeker suddenly gaining extraordinary abilities was very appealing," Baek said. "I focused on how to reconstruct and express the original story as a film."

 

"Filming was difficult, but it was also enjoyable," Baek said, expressing satisfaction with the lead actors' performances and ad-libs.

 

"Koo Kyo-hwan's ad-libs in each situation were like a new résumé delivered to me every day as a director," he said. "Shin Seung-ho made a strong impression with his chilling gaze and low-pitched voice, and the role suited him well."

 

Producer Primary served as the music director for "Reawaken Man: The Red."

 

Baek said he had asked Primary to prepare EDM music because the film required a strong sense of speed, adding that "Primary completed the music by adding his own interpretation."

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]