Hyun Bin Discusses the Challenges and Opportunities of Portraying General Ahn Jung-geun in 'Harbin'

Actor Hyun Bin (42) expressed his mixed feelings about portraying General Ahn Jung-geun, stating, "While it can be a burden to play such a significant figure, I also see it as an opportunity." He spoke with Sports Chosun on December 19 in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, about his role in the action film 'Harbin' (directed by Woo Min-ho and produced by Hive Media Corp), where he plays the role of Ahn Jung-geun, a major general in the Korean army.

Hyun Bin shared his experience of watching the IMAX version of the film for the first time at a screening on December 18. He noted, "I had seen it at the Toronto International Film Festival, but Director Woo Min-ho made further edits, resulting in the current version. Watching it on a larger screen made the scenes we aimed to capture come alive, which I appreciated. Coincidentally, the film is being released during a tumultuous time, allowing for various interpretations by the audience."

Describing 'Harbin' as one of his most challenging projects, Hyun Bin revealed that he had many reservations before accepting the role. "Every time Director Woo Min-ho proposed casting me, he made slight adjustments to the script. He never provided the same script twice. His style involves continuous revisions, always searching for something better. By focusing on the details, he believes we can make significant changes. Despite thinking it was a tough project, I found myself repeatedly drawn to the script. I aimed to study both the script and materials on Ahn Jung-geun simultaneously, which naturally sparked my curiosity. The combination of Director Woo's passion, energy, and signals directed at me ultimately led me to choose this project. While playing General Ahn Jung-geun could be seen as a burden, I also view it as a unique opportunity."

Set in 1909, 'Harbin' depicts the intense pursuit and suspicion between those heading to Harbin for a common purpose and those chasing them. The film features a star-studded cast, including Park Jung-min, Jo Woo-jin, Jeon Yeo-been, Park Hoon, Yoo Jae-myung, and Lee Dong-wook, with Woo Min-ho, known for 'The Outlaws' and 'The Man Standing Next,' at the helm. The film is set to be released on December 24.