Director Hyun Hae-ri Shares Personal Luna Coin Experience in 'Crash'

During a press conference held on January 6, 2025, at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul, director Hyun Hae-ri disclosed that she is a victim of the Luna Coin scandal, which inspired her upcoming film 'Crash' (폭락). The event featured the director alongside cast members Ahn Woo-yeon, Min Sung-wook, So Hee-jung, and Cha Jung-won.

'Crash' is a crime drama based on the real-life collapse of the Luna Coin, which resulted in a staggering loss of 50 trillion won and affected approximately 280,000 victims in South Korea alone. The film chronicles the journey of a young entrepreneur from 2009 to 2023, who exploits youth entrepreneurship support funds and engages in fraudulent bankruptcies, ultimately succumbing to moral decay in the pursuit of success. It highlights the dark realities of startup investments and the obsession with quick profits in both stocks and cryptocurrencies.

Hyun expressed her nervousness at the press conference, stating, "Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm curious about your thoughts on the film. Personally, I am a victim of the Luna Coin incident. I aimed to create it from a neutral perspective, and I'm eager to hear your opinions."

She further elaborated, "The weight of the crime felt significant, especially considering the real victims of Luna Coin. I wanted to avoid trivializing their experiences while still presenting a dark narrative that provokes thought."

Reflecting on her own experience with Luna Coin, Hyun shared, "In early 2022, there was a saying among my peers that anyone who didn’t invest in Luna Coin was foolish. At that time, it was heavily promoted, and even a U.S. congressman referred to it as a genius investment. There was a belief that it would definitely rise, with hopes of 10 to 20 times returns. Ultimately, it crashed."

She added, "I vowed never to invest in cryptocurrencies again. When we began filming in September-October 2023, Bitcoin was valued at under 20 million won, and now it exceeds 100 million won. It’s bewildering to witness such volatility. I invested in Luna Coin impulsively, but I prefer not to disclose the amount."

Hyun clarified that while 'Crash' is inspired by the Luna Coin incident, the protagonist's story is fictionalized. "The real-life figure graduated from an elite school and studied abroad, whereas our film's character is entirely fictional, including their personal background. I hope viewers understand that the personal aspects are not based on reality."

The film 'Crash', which depicts the global fallout from the Luna Coin collapse, is set to be released on January 15, 2025.