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Hyun Bin returns to the big screen with the K-movie Harbin.
Made with a budget of 30 billion won, Harbin is a thrilling espionage drama film set in 1909, about Korean independence activists fighting against the Japanese for Korea's independence.
Harbin is set against the historical backdrop of the Korean Empire, just before Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910. The film focuses on the year 1909 when Korea had been stripped of its diplomatic and military sovereignty through the Eulsa Treaty (1905) and the Japan–Korea Treaty (1907). This was also the year Ito Hirobumi was assassinated. The movie vividly depicts the intense pursuit between the Korean independence fighters heading to Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, China, to evade Japanese surveillance, and the Japanese forces chasing them.
Hyun Bin will transform into Ahn Jung Geun, the lieutenant general of the Korean resistance army, who is determined to restore national sovereignty.
Notably, the film reportedly focuses on Ahn Jung Geun as a general, rather than the more familiar portrayal of him as a doctor or activist seen in Korean history books or media. This distinctive approach has raised expectations for a unique take on the character.
Director Woo stated, "The entire nation knows that General Ahn Jung Geun, the lieutenant general of the Korean resistance army, executed Ito Hirobumi." He added, "However, I spent a lot of time thinking, 'Would it be possible to structure this story in a way that could make it engaging as a film?' I wanted it to be a movie that brings us one step closer to understanding General Ahn Jung Geun's heart."
Hyun Bin shared his unique perspective on the role, saying, "I read the script multiple times, each time with a different mindset. During that process, I found myself wondering, 'What kind of mindset did this person have to walk this path to the very end?' At the same time, as an actor, I felt it was an incredible blessing to have the opportunity to portray such an extraordinary figure. That's why I felt I should approach it [the role] with all my heart."
According to the production team, Hyun Bin received high praise from the on-set crew for his immersion into the character throughout the filming of Harbin. It is also reported the actor meticulously prepared by studying most of the materials related to General Ahn Jung Geun available in Korea.
His portrayal delicately captured both the loneliness and determination of Ahn Jung Geun, who lived in a time when his nation was stripped of its sovereignty and risked his life for the mission. In addition to this nuanced emotional performance, it is said that Hyun Bin also flawlessly executed various action sequences that unfold as the character heads to Harbin.
Director Woo Min Ho, who worked with Hyun Bin for the first time, remarked, "Through Harbin, Hyun Bin took on a new challenge, delivering a portrayal of Ahn Jung Geun with a depth and outcome different from [what he's shown in] his previous works," heightening anticipation for a fresh side of the actor.
Harbin opens on December 25 for the domestic audience.
