"Comparison is up to the audience": Korean sensibility in 'The Intern', with cross-generational chemistry between Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actors Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee have completed a Korean version of "The Intern" with special office chemistry that transcends generations.

A press conference for "The Intern" (directed by Kim Do-young) was held at Seoul CGV Yongsan i-Park Mall on the 24th. Director Kim Do-young, along with actors Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee, attended the event.

The film "The Intern" tells a story of office life that transcends both generation and rank, beginning when Ki-ho (played by Choi Min-sik), a silver intern with 37 years of experience, joins the company of Seon-woo (played by Han So-hee), who has rapidly emerged as a dark horse in the fashion industry just three years after its launch.

The original film of the same name, "The Intern," stars Hollywood icons Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Upon its 2015 release, it received critical acclaim for its fresh character setup—a meeting between an experienced 70-year-old intern and a passionate 30-year-old CEO—and its warm emotional tone, grossing $194 million worldwide, five times its production budget.

At the center of "The Intern" is Korean legend Choi Min-sik. Choi, who took on the role of Ki-ho, a veteran silver intern with 37 years of experience, was reported to have poured exceptional affection into the project from its inception to completion.

Choi Min-sik revealed that this film marked his first-ever workplace experience. He joked, "I never had to wear a tie or work in an office before Navy Headquarters, so I finally got to experience real office life," drawing laughter from the audience.

He also openly shared his concerns about remaking the Hollywood film of the same name. Choi said, "It would be a lie to say I felt no pressure. The original is an excellent film, and the actors in it delivered truly outstanding performances."

He continued, "I even thought, 'Why should I do this when I could enjoy wealth and luxury?' But I don't think we need to view remakes so negatively. Any work with an original can be reinterpreted through a new perspective."

In particular, he felt drawn to the idea of reimagining the story with Korean sensibilities. Choi explained, "By setting this film in Korea and expressing Koreans' joys and sorrows, harmony, and intergenerational conflict, I thought it would offer a different flavor from the original, which is why I decided to take on the role."

Director Kim Do-young said, "We focused on highlighting the actors' charms. Since this is a remake of a 10-year-old film, our perspective differs from that time. Because the story begins with an older adult entering the workplace as the youngest member, we aimed to express the process of resolving and overcoming conflicts in a distinctly Korean way."

Han So-hee, who shared the screen with Choi Min-sik, conveyed his extraordinary passion on set. Han said, "When Senior Choi says we need to gather at 6 a.m., he arrives around 4 a.m. and always looks for the PD."

In response, Choi teased, "I'm not trying to set an example; I just come early because I'm curious about the food truck menu," turning the scene into laughter.

Choi also expressed his satisfaction with their first acting chemistry together. He recalled, "When someone asked who was cast as Seon-woo, and I heard Han So-hee's name, I said, 'That Han So-hee?' I thought, 'How often do I get the privilege of sharing a frame with actress Han So-hee? I had to stay sharp.'"

He added, "Throughout my career, I've mostly worked with male actors. Meeting a beautiful female co-star made me want to work even harder."

He also praised Han So-hee's acting style during their first collaboration. Choi said, "It was our first time working together, and she exceeded expectations. Not only her attitude and passion toward the project, but the final result were extremely satisfying. I was surprised and proud."

Han So-hee takes on the role of workaholic CEO Seon-woo, showcasing another new charm.

Regarding her decision to join the project, Han said, "I am always grateful to be chosen. When I heard that Senior Choi Min-sik would play Ki-ho, I became very eager to participate."

She continued, "Through multiple meetings with the director, I gained confidence that the character Seon-woo, whom I would build and realize, could be portrayed in diverse ways."

Director Kim Do-young also expressed strong trust in Han So-hee. He said, "From the moment I first met actress So-hee, I thought I wanted to work with any actor who genuinely wants to do a project. That's how you get something extra from the film. When she clearly expressed her desire to appear in this project, I was very happy."

In particular, Han So-hee attached special significance to working alongside Choi Min-sik. She said, "I felt this might be an opportunity that may never come again in my life," and laughed, adding, "At first, I thought, 'Is it the Choi Min-sik I know?'"

She then stated, "I approached this project with the mindset of diving in without hesitation," revealing her anticipation and passion for their first acting chemistry together.

Director Kim Do-young identified Choi Min-sik as a mood-maker. He said, "Senior Choi is truly cheerful. We had a very enjoyable time filming on set." He added, "What surprised me most was that even though the shooting schedule was tight, Senior Choi often fell asleep while smiling and then woke up."

He continued, "Even when the set was difficult, thanks to Senior Choi, everything flowed comfortably overall," noting that Choi added positive energy to the filming atmosphere.

In response, Choi teased, "It's partly because I'm naturally a joker," while also giving credit to his fellow actors.

He said, "All the other actors are young and professional. We didn't gather just to have fun; we came together to create a great work called 'The Intern' and to express each character as well as possible."

He added, "I didn't so much lead the atmosphere of this film; rather, whenever I threw something out, the other actors caught it well and responded. We all worked together professionally and harmoniously."

He then said, "I just needed to slip in subtly," expressing his affection by adding, "Thanks to my wonderful junior colleagues, I filmed with great joy and happiness."

Finally, Choi Min-sik said, "It's good to make comparisons. I think that's up to the audience. If you enjoyed the original, you might watch this one thinking, 'What will the Korean version of The Intern be like?' or 'Let's see how well they did it.'"

He continued with a smile, "I've even seen comments saying, 'If you ruin my favorite movie, I won't let you go.' If we fall short, please criticize us and offer your feedback."

However, he emphasized that they were not bound by the need to differentiate themselves from the original. Director Kim Do-young explained, "We gave our all and did our best. We never felt compelled to make it different from the original just for the sake of differentiation. We simply created it with the intention of showing you our own version of 'The Intern.'"

He concluded by saying, "I hope you spend a warm autumn together with 'The Intern,'" conveying his wishes to prospective audiences.

Meanwhile, "The Intern" will hit theaters during the Chuseok holiday on September 16.

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*This content was translated by AI.