Director Woo Min-ho Discusses the Release of 'Harbin' Amid Political Turmoil

Director Woo Min-ho (54) shared insights about his upcoming action film 'Harbin' during an interview on December 19. He humorously noted that his wife reacted to the film's release during the impeachment crisis of President Yoon Suk-yeol by asking, 'Did you ride the gallows?' This unexpected timing has added a layer of complexity to the film's launch.

Set in 1909, 'Harbin' depicts a tense chase between those heading to Harbin for a singular purpose and those pursuing them. Woo revealed that the film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and the narration by Ahn Jung-geun resonates with the current political climate, reflecting themes of perseverance and sacrifice.

He explained that the narration was added during the editing phase, inspired by a sudden burst of creativity he experienced on New Year's Day 2024. 'I felt compelled to enhance the narration, and it took me less than ten minutes to write it,' he confessed.

Woo expressed uncertainty about why he felt such a strong connection to the material, suggesting it might have been an unconscious response to the political atmosphere. He emphasized that Ahn Jung-geun understood that one act of bravery would not lead to immediate independence, highlighting the enduring spirit required for true liberation.

The director also shared his hopes for the film, stating, 'Whether it’s well-made or not, I believe it will be a film that the nation can watch on Independence Day and Liberation Day. It’s a significant burden for a director to see a film they feel they could have done better. I hope 'Harbin' will not disappoint Ahn Jung-geun or the independence fighters who sacrificed for this country. I want it to be a source of strength and comfort for the audience, especially during tough times.'

'Harbin' features a star-studded cast including Hyun Bin (현빈), Park Jung-min (박정민), Jo Woo-jin (조우진), Jeon Yeo-been (전여빈), Park Hoon (박훈), Yoo Jae-myung (유재명), and Lee Dong-wook (이동욱). The film is set to be released on December 24.