Director Lee Joon-ik returns with historical biopic 'Book of Fish'

Actor Byun Yo-han in a scene from "The Book of Fish" / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Lee Joon-ik, a pioneering director who tells stories about Korean society and its traditions through a historical drama format known as "sageuk," is back with another black-and-white biopic, "The Book of Fish."

In his upcoming film, actor Seol Kyung-gu plays scholar Jeong Yak-jeon, the brother of one of the leading scholars in the late Joseon era Dasan Jeong Yak-yong. His character meets a young fisherman named Chang-dae (Byun Yo-han) while living in exile on Heuksan Island in South Jeolla Province.

In contrast to Jeong, who tries to avoid his scholarly endeavors, Chang-dae seeks knowledge. The fisherman believes that Confucianism ― the state ideology of the Joseon Kingdom ― can protect the people, so he concentrates on studying rather than catching fish.

Lee has received accolades for making historical films such as "The King and the Clown" (2005), which revolves around two male traveling performers who are arrested for satirizing King Yeonsan, "The Throne" (2015), which is a tragic tale of King Yeongjo and his son Crown Prince Sado, and "Anarchist from Colony" (2017), which traces the turbulent life of anarchist Park Yeol during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea.

His 2016 black-and-white biopic "Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet" is about poet Yun Dong-ju who was imprisoned for his participation in anti-Japanese movements in 1943 and died in a Japanese prison at the age of 27.

Lee Joon-ik, front, and the cast stare at a screen after shooting a scene for "The Book of Fish." / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

Lee, who creates fictional stories around historical characters, said "The Book of Fish" was an attempt to focus on the experiences of characters in situations rather than informing the audience about the historical or political background.

"I had the desire to make a film from a microscopic perspective that sheds light on the lives of individuals. I wanted to stay away from directing ordinary historical films that center on history, politics and war," he said.

Seol, who is appearing in a historical drama film for the first time in his career, said he tried to embody Jeong Yak-jeon's character in his mind rather than mimicking his academic knowledge.

Reuniting with Seol eight years after "Hope" (2013), director Lee expressed high hopes for the actor, saying "Seol just fit the part so perfectly."

Byun, who is returning to the big screen for the first time in four years following "Sunset in My Hometown," said he put much effort into learning the Jeolla dialect, swimming and fishing. "The most important part was to truly understand the young man's heart and his changing emotions after Chang-dae befriended Jeong Yak-jeon," he said.

"The Book of Fish" will hit local theaters March 31.

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