‘1947 Boston’ Kang Je-gyu “Draws the dreams and challenges of Seo Yun-bok, who overcame difficulties and achieved her dream”

[Edaily Starin Reporter Kim Bo-young] ‘1947 Boston’ director Kang Je-gyu conveyed the meaning of this film that he wanted to convey through the real-life character ‘Seo Yun-bok’.

At the press conference for the movie ‘1947 Boston’ held at the Lotte Cinema Konkuk University entrance branch in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 11th, director Kang Je-gyu and actors Ha Jung-woo, Im Si-wan, and Kim Sang-ho attended and talked about the work.

‘1947 Boston’, which was unveiled for the first time through a press preview on this day, is a story about the challenges and heart-warming journey of marathon runners to participate in international competitions wearing the Taegeuk symbol for the first time after liberation. It tells the true story of Son Ki-jeong (played by Ha Jung-woo), a Korean marathon legend and hero, and his student Seo Yun-bok (played by Im Si-wan). Director Kang Je-gyu, who directed the films ‘Shiri’, ‘Taegukgi’, and ‘Jangsu Store’, is raising expectations with his new work released after about 7 years.

Ha Jung-woo gave a passionate performance as Son Ki-jeong, a Korean marathon legend and hero who won the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by setting a new world record of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 19 seconds. Although Im Si-wan is not well known to the public, he played the role of Seo Yun-bok, another hero who won the Boston Marathon for the first time after liberation wearing the Taegeukgi symbol. In addition, Bae Seong-woo as Nam Seung-ryong, a bronze medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Kim Sang-ho as Baek Nam-hyeon, another Korean who helped greatly as a financial guarantor during the Boston Marathon, and Park Hyo-joo and Park Eun-bin as Licorice were all in attendance.

Director Kang Je-gyu first said, “Our film can give hope and courage to many people, and we ask for your interest so that we can convey that hope to many people.”

This film depicts in depth the struggles of the well-known athlete Son Ki-jeong and his disciple, another marathon hero named Seo Yun-bok, and his process of winning the Boston Marathon.

Regarding the process of depicting Seo Yun-bok, director Kang Je-gyu said, “When Son Ki-jeong won the gold medal in 1936, Seo Yun-bok was around the 6th grade of elementary school.” He added, “When Son Ki-jeong won the gold medal in 1936, it brought so much hope and hope to our people. It gave me courage. “Seo Yun-bok was also a boy who grew up dreaming of becoming the next Son Ki-jeong after hearing the words, ‘If you work hard and follow the marathon path, you will be able to become the next Son Ki-jeong,’” he explained.

“However, I was born as the youngest of three sons and three daughters, so I was not properly educated, and I had a life of running very hard,” he said. “It is significant that Seo Yun-bok was the first marathon runner representing our country to run under the Taegeukgi after liberation, but as a human being, “I think it is a film that stands out for the fact that a precious dream was achieved through hard work and overcoming difficulties,” he emphasized.

The process of building major real-life characters such as Son Ki-jeong, Seo Yun-bok, and Nam Seung-ryong was also explained. Director Kang Je-gyu said, “I tried to build characters based on real people. However, the character I set for Son Ki-jeong was a little more macho, a little more stubborn, and had a stronger sense of pride. I tried to draw the face of Mr. Son Ki-jeong,” he said. “From Seo Yun-bok’s perspective, it emphasized the feeling of a father who is a bit stricter and has very strong standards.” “I think so,” he explained.

He also said, “In the case of Nam Seung-ryong’s character, I portrayed him as a senior by his side, more like a mother, someone who supports Son Ki-jeong and can comfort Seo Yun-bok when a crisis arises.” “I tried to depict more dramatically the journey of three people running toward one goal without getting hit.”

Meanwhile, ‘1947 Boston’ will be released on September 27, the Chuseok holiday.

Kim Bo-young (kby5848@edaily.co.kr)