Lee Jae-in(21)and Ahn Jae-hong(39)have stepped forward to become the ‘Chungmuro heroes’ who will save the Korean film industry from its slump.The highly anticipated film ‘High Five’, which has been receiving favorable reviews since its preview as a ‘well-made entertainment action film’, will be released in theaters on the 30th.

In ‘High Five’, which is advertised as a ‘Korean-style hero film’, the two played the roles of Wanseo and Jisung, who gained superpowers after receiving a heart and lung transplant and gained the ability to use great strength and strong winds, respectively.Just as Wanseo and Jisung became true friends based on their common superpowers in the film, the two became ‘real friends’ through this film, overcoming their 18-year age difference.They laughed and said, “Every time we spent together was fun.”

O “I felt a lot of pressure as the first lead role, beating out my seniors”

Lee Jae-in, who plays the role of Wan-seo, a ‘taekwondo girl’ who gains supernatural strength, said, “There has never been a character with a personality so similar to mine.” She especially recalled that she sympathized with Wan-seo’s situation, having spent her lonely school days without any friends due to a long-term illness.

“When I was filming, I was 18 and a sophomore in high school, but I didn’t go to school(because of my acting career).So I didn’t have many friends compared to my peers.Just like Wanseo, who became friends with the members of ‘High Five’ who had a big age difference, I also became colleagues with many seniors on set.That’s why I was able to immerse myself especially well when acting out emotions.”

He was selected as the main character after going through three fierce audition processes and was confidently named the ‘number one lead’ among great actors such as Ra Mi-ran, Kim Hee-won, Ahn Jae-hong, and Yoo Ah-in.He said, “I felt a lot of pressure and tension, but I did well.
“ I had a greater desire to do it, “he said.

“ During the audition, the director asked me, ‘What’s your favorite superhero movie? ‘and I said,’ Deadpool ‘(rated R).I remember the director saying,’ Huh? You shouldn’t watch that.’(Laughs)During the audition, the martial arts director asked me to show a kick, and I was so desperate that I did the highest kick I’ve ever done in my life!”

O “Senior Jaehong Ahn, he was like my real uncle”

After being cast, he attended action school and gradually learned high-difficulty action scenes.In order to bring out the charm of the ‘Taekwondo Hero’, Lee Jae-in said, “I paid the most attention to Taekwondo movements.” Although the aerial action of riding wires in the middle of summer was difficult, he smiled brightly and said, “I really felt like a hero flying in the sky.”

He said that he was able to film with strength “because of the many senior actors who always took care of him first, even though it was a difficult shoot.” He then chose Ahn Jae-hong, with whom he had the most chemistry in the drama, as the senior actor who took the best care of him.

“I had the most conversations.We were like real nephews and uncles.I often played games with(the oldest)Kim Hee-won.Whenever I logged into the game, he would always log in first.When I logged in, he would ask me first, ‘Do you want to play with me?’”

He shed tears at a recent VIP screening, overwhelmed by the excitement of finally being able to present a film that began filming in 2021.He also choked up again and expressed his sincerity, saying, “A film is not made by one person.Please look at the hard work of many people.”


Reporter Seungmi smlee@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.