‘Seonsan’ Yeon Sang-ho “Kim Hyun-joo’s deja vu again? “A trustworthy cinematic comrade” [Interview]

“Are you also an actor Kim Hyun-joo? Actually, I didn’t expect the reaction of feeling deja vu (from the casting) at all. Isn’t this because the works are being released one after another? Rather than being a ‘muse’, I am one of the few ‘cinematic comrades’ in whom I have deep trust. Even if you have any concerns about casting, they will disappear once you see the work. “I was surprised too. (laughter)”

Director Yeon Sang-ho (44), who will open the door to the small screen in the new year of 2024, said this ahead of the release of ‘Seonsan’.

Netflix’s original series ‘Seonsan’ (written by Yeon Sang-ho, directed by Min Hong-nam), which will be released on the 19th, is a mystery thriller depicting the story of a series of sinister events that unfold as a person inherits a mountain left behind after the death of his uncle, whom he had forgotten even existed, and related secrets are revealed.. There are a total of 6 episodes, starring Kim Hyun-joo, Park Hee-soon, Park Byeong-eun, and Ryu Kyung-soo.

In particular, directors Yeon Sang-ho and Kim Hyun-joo will present three works in a row, including ‘Hell’, ‘Jeongi’, and ‘Seonsan’. Including ‘Hell 2′, which has not been released yet, this is their fourth collaboration. Director Yeon Sang-ho, whom we met at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul on the 15th, said, “It’s always new, and it’s surprising every time. “It was like that this time too,” he said, showing unwavering support and deep trust in Kim Hyun-joo. The following is a Q&A with director Yeon Sang-ho.

Q. Why did you choose the subject matter of ‘Seonsan’?

My biggest desire was to capture Korean sentiment. I felt like it would fit well with my specialties. I had the belief that I could handle it in a unique, yet Korean way. I tried to incorporate the feel of a Korean ghost story into the detective genre in an interesting way.

Q. What did you put into developing the story?

Ultimately, I wanted to emphasize the ‘theme’ through an unpredictable journey. As I was deeply concerned about what kind of story to tell, I hoped that a meaningful discourse about ‘family’ would be formed. I tried to deal with the bizarre images of ‘ghost stories’ and the symbolism and duality that come to mind when thinking of ‘family’. It deals mysteriously with the conflicting notions that are closest but hostile. It reminded me of the atmosphere of a work I loved as a child, and used surreal images and music to create a strange atmosphere. In order to lead the story into an unexpected one, various colorful elements, including shamanic elements, were added.

Q. Each character is unique (extraordinary).

From the lead to the supporting roles, they all have stories related to ‘family’. People get involved in actions that cannot be understood with just common sense. The story was set up so that it could flow in an unexpected direction following their choices, which were unable to act only rationally. These characters are the biggest driving force of the mystery.

Q. The ending is somewhat shocking.

(I can’t explain it in detail because it’s a spoiler), but I think there will be a lot of talk about this setting. Of course, likes and dislikes may differ. I chose to deal with the topic in a more extreme and in-depth manner under a series of situations that cannot be accepted conventionally. I am curious about how the audience will accept the process in which the main character accepts this, and the part where he answers ‘family’. Although it is extreme and strange, I hoped that it would be a story that would ultimately allow for countless thoughts, either acceptable or thought-provoking. I hope it remains in my heart.

Q. The ‘family’ code appears in each work.

right. That concept goes into all of my works. I think it might be a topic that I have some interests in or something I feel is necessary. I created this in the hope that it would enable people to think about family in the most profound way out of all my previous works. This is even more so because the world today has many tribal ideologies rather than large ideologies. I think that within such a society, the story of ‘family’, the first society, is always necessary. I wanted to ask a question.

Q. There may be different likes and dislikes about that message.

So I was very concerned about the tone of the main character’s last line. This is also the part where I talked the most with actor Kim Hyun-joo. The dialogue is spoken in an ambiguous tone, a result chosen after several filming sessions. I wanted an ending that would make you think, with a question rather than an answer. I hoped that this story, theme, and questions would be very vague, so that each audience member would feel different emotions. I hope that discourse will be created regardless of likes or dislikes.

Q. This is your fourth work with Kim Hyun-joo.

What I feel every time I see (Kim Hyun-joo’s face) is something new. The appearance of actor Kim Hyun-joo that I had known for a while was different from the appearance of ‘Seonsan’. I’m surprised every time. Because of the timing of the work’s release, it feels like it’s happening more in succession. Including the unreleased one (Hell 2), it is the fourth. And yet it still feels new. This time, it is a face that is both geological and hysterical, revealing desire without hesitation. Personally, I am satisfied because it is different from my acting when I was young. The casting also actively reflected the opinions of director Min Hong-nam, who held the megaphone. (Laughs)

Q. I feel a special affection for actress Kim Hyun-joo.

It’s extraordinary trust. We first worked together during ‘Hell’ and I felt a lot of things even then. First of all, I trusted him and was amazed by his sincerity and workmanship. It showed an interpretation that goes beyond the established characters. Since I had a very good feeling from the first work, my faith grew more and more as an extension of that.

Q. Some people say there is a sense of déjà vu, ‘Kim Hyun-joo again’?

This is something I didn’t expect at all. I thought ‘Parasite’ would be released first due to timing. I didn’t expect it because I was working on another piece. Since we also worked on the Kim Hyun-joo and Park Hee-soon drama just before, I think it looks even more like that. But don’t worry. Because it is a completely different color, you will feel something new when you see it.

Basically, once a member gets along well, there is a tendency to stay with that member for a long time. Director Min Hong-nam, the cinematographer, and the staff are people who have been working together for a long time. I think the camaraderie is special. If you build a sense of team solidarity (especially in movies, because it is not easy to form a team like this), a good impression, and strong teamwork, it becomes a great strength and creates synergy. Kim Hyun-joo is one of the few actors who feels like a cinematic comrade. (It’s not like I’m rejecting other actors at all. Haha!)

Q. Why do you work on video in parallel?

Since I started with a short animation and had a difficult debut as a full-length animation, I know the difficulties and hard work better than anyone else. I also have a big precious heart. When I was struggling to breathe while working on a video, I think I found a breather through cartoon work. It is a work that heals the difficult parts of video work. It’s physically tiring, but mentally you gain great strength. Because the way comics meet readers and the way movies meet audiences are quite different, the energy and learning gained from the different works are also different.

Q. With the popularity of ‘Yeonniverse’, the pressure of box office success must have increased.

There is always a lot of pressure when it comes to the box office success of a movie. I always have the fear that ‘I could automatically retire’ regardless of my will. (Laughs) However, since I cannot work properly with such thoughts in my head, I manage it through various vents.

Q. How do you work?

Don’t do it simultaneously. After one is finished, do another, sequentially. It’s not as hectic as many people expected. (Laughs) I have a private studio right in front of my house. I am a morning person. I take my eldest child (10 years old) and head to the studio. I tend to leave work around 5-6 PM. When the kids go to bed, they fall asleep before 10 p.m. There are occasional production meetings, but other than that, I am working indoors, going back and forth between my home and studio. I work diligently from time to time by diligently searching YouTube, the Internet, and accident and accident news.

Q. There were issues such as the replacement of the lead actor (Yoo Ah-in) in Season 2 of ‘Hell’.

That’s why I’m working harder. Personally, this is the work I am most looking forward to. It seemed like each actor had sharpened his or her own skills. I was surprised and excited throughout the filming. I’m in the final stages of working on it, and I’m looking forward to the response after it’s released.

Director Yeon Sang-ho continues to be busy this year. Following ‘Seonsan’, the next work is ‘Gisaengsu’, a recreation of the Japanese original of the same name. Afterwards, Season 2 of Netflix’s ‘Hell’ will be released.