Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Choi Min-sik says his new film 'In Our Prime' parallels 'Good Will Hunting'
Actors Choi Min-sik, right and Kim Dong-hwi in a scene from the film "In Our Prime" / Courtesy of Showbox
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Actor Choi Min-sik, who is returning to the big screen three years after “Forbidden Dream,” described his upcoming film “In Our Prime” as poignant, heartfelt and much like “Good Will Hunting.”
Choi plays genius mathematician Lee Hak-sung, who defected from North Korea to the South and chooses to work as a janitor at a high school. There, he meets Han Ji-woo (Kim Dong-hwi), a student who has trouble fitting in due to social hierarchy.
When Hak-sung's talents are discovered, Ji-woo asks him to be his mentor. Through math lessons, the two social outcasts form a close bond. The events of the film unfold as Hak-sung becomes more and more involved with Ji-woo.
Director Park Dong-hoon explained that his first impression of the script was that it was an intriguing observation on human interaction.
“When I first went through the script, a scene came up to my mind where there's an adult who tries to console a child who failed to achieve his goal. The characters remain hopeful in the face of life's harsh realities,” he said during a press conference for the film, Tuesday.
Choi praised the film's key message, which is about a person's desire not to be bound by the circumstances of one's birth.
“As soon as I read the script, I thought of its parallels with 'Good Will Hunting.' Every time I watched that film, I wished we could also have a movie that shows not only what education means but what life means. Then I came across this inspirational script,” Choi said.
From left, actors Park Hae-joon, Choi Min-sik, Jo Yoon-seo, Kim Dong-hwi and Park Byung-eun pose during a press conference for the film “In Our Prime” in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Showbox
Director Park revealed that he is a long-time fan of Choi.
“I've been a fan of Choi since the 1990s. I still remember his brief appearance and lines in the 1999 film 'Happy End.' As I read the script, I imagined Choi wearing a janitor attire and solving advanced math problems. I was thrilled when he accepted my offer,” he said.
Choi has starred in numerous hit films, including Park Chan-wook's “Oldboy,” Kim Jee-woon's “I Saw the Devil” and Kim Han-min's “The Admiral: Roaring Currents.”
Rookie actor Kim talked about playing Ji-woo, a student who has given up on math and is discontent with life.
“I was very thankful to be part of it and get the part. The audition was a difficult and nerve-wracking process because I had to perform in front of Choi, whom I look up to,” he said.
The other cast members include Jo Yoon-seo of “Mine,” Park Byung-eun of “Kingdom” and Pak Hae-joon of “The World of the Married.”
“The title (original Korean title is 'Mathematician from Wonderland') provoked my interest. I wondered what it is about. What I loved about this film is that it uses math as a means to explore themes of love, loss and adventure,” Park Byung-eun said.
Choi reassured moviegoers that the film is not simply about math or education. “It's a heartwarming story of two people who connect through math. It conveys something warm and kind to those going through difficult times in life.”
“In Our Prime” will hit local theaters, March 9.