Actor Lee Jung-jae questions of true leader in film 'Warriors of the Dawn'
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Lee Jung-jae pose during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Korea
By Kim Jae-heun
The historical film “Warriors of the Dawn,” directed by Jeong Yoon-cheol, depicts when the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) faced its greatest danger, when the Japanese invaded the Korean Peninsula in 1592. King Seonjo abandoned his people and escaped to China, leaving Prince Gwanghae, played by Yeo Jin-goo, to take his place and fight the enemy. Prince Gwanghae had never received lessons from his father and he knew nothing about leadership.
The weak army of Joseon in the capital city is wiped out by the Japanese force and the young prince is left with proxy soldiers protecting his way to General Shin Cheol’s troops in Pyongan Province.
The soldiers of the lowest class are led by warrior To-woo, played by Lee Jung-jae, who protects Prince Gwanghae in his life-threatening journey. To-woo teaches the prince what a great leader is and how he should take care of his people, particularly when the country faces great danger.
“The topic of this film questions what a true leader is and who makes that leader,” Lee Jung-jae said during an interview with The Korea Times at Slow Park in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Wednesday. “The answer is people and the nation. My role in the movie was as an adviser who helps the prince grow into a real king. This is where the story begins and the process of Gwanghae growing into a mature leader through the scenes was important in successfully carrying out my job.”
But Lee expressed some frustration with the script that excluded the story of the character’s family.
“My character To-woo became a proxy soldier to earn a living for his family,” Lee said. “But when he decided to save the country over his family in the scene, I had to question the director thinking that To-woo must have a reason for such a decision and then included a few lines explaining it. For example, when he received news that his family was killed by Manchurians, he chose to give his life to the battle.”
The film is set for release at local theaters on May 31.
Q. How did you get to participate in this film?
A. When I first read the script, it was just so well written. I could not help but question myself why I empathize so much with a story that took place 425 years ago. I just found myself attracted to this historical film.
Q. How did you study your character To-woo, a proxy soldier?
A. There was not much information about actual proxy soldiers during the Joseon Kingdom. The script was all I had. I learned that people living in the southern part of the peninsula then were forced to move to the northern part to protect the border. Manchurians often invaded the northern border and the original residents there could hardly make a living.
Q. Have your thoughts changed on Prince Gwanghae after participating in this film that sheds new light on him?
A. This film is not about shedding new light on Prince Gwanghae. What I think is important in this film is showing what a great leader is, what he exists for. It’s his people.
Q. Do you believe your character To-woo is also a great leader?
A. We can say he owns some good qualities because he leads his proxy soldier clan. Other than that, his method of communicating is somewhat different from Prince Gwanghae. In the scene where he deceives the prince into coming into the water because he has to wash off the blood so tigers will not come after him, I thought To-woo communicates by acting it out himself at first.
Q. Which line stays in your heart the most?
A. Personally, I liked the line in the last battle scene where I said, “We cannot leave ourselves behind. This goes the same for today and tomorrow. Let’s work it out!” It got edited out, unfortunately.
Q. What will you promise your fans if “Warriors of the Dawn” is successful?
A. If over 5 million people come to see the film, I will do a free-hug campaign. As I mentioned earlier, some scenes in the movie leave much to be desired for me. But this film certainly has energy and messages in it. For those who can feel that, they will enjoy it.