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.
INTERVIEW Ha Jung-woo describes 'Ransomed' as buddy action comedy
Actor Ha Jung-woo / Courtesy of Showbox
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Actor Ha Jung-woo said his newest film “Ransomed” is a buddy action comedy although it deals with the serious subject of abduction and escape.
“Ransomed” revolves around a young diplomat named Min-joon (Ha), who is assigned the task of carrying ransom money to help rescue an abducted diplomat in Lebanon, and a local taxi driver named Pan-su (Ju Ji-hoon), who accidentally gets involved in the mission.
It was inspired by the true story of a Korean diplomat taken hostage in Lebanon in 1986. However, much of the drama and the characters are fictional.
“The original script was more complicated with a grittier tone, but the theatrical version of the film turned out to be more simple and watchable,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Monday.
The star recalled that “Ransomed” was a lengthy production. The filming was scheduled to begin in March 2020 but was postponed until February 2022 due to the pandemic. During that time, they changed the script about 50 times.
Although the film is set in Lebanon, the majority of the shooting took place in Morocco, a country that has similar scenery, weather and ambiance.
“We shot the film in Morocco for about four months. Since Morocco is an Islamic country, we couldn't consume alcohol or pork. Because we were there in the middle of Ramadan, restaurants weren't open. So, the environment made us focus on two things only: filming and cooking,” he said.
A scene from the film, "Ransomed" / Courtesy of Showbox
Having worked alongside director Kim Seong-hun on the 2016 survival drama film “Tunnel,” Ha explained that Kim has a strength in tackling serious subjects in a light-hearted way
“'Tunnel' is a tragedy, but Kim made it into a black comedy. 'Ransomed' is a classic film with a simple plot, but there is deep humanism, humor ― and it has compelling car chase scenes,” he said.
Ha stressed that he loves movies that give fun cinematic experiences to viewers. “I choose films that are entertaining,” he said.
On reuniting with Ju, Ha said he felt comfortable around him. The two previously worked together in director Kim Yong-hwa's 2017-18 smash hit series “Along With the Gods” in which they played grim reaper-like characters who guide the dead in the afterlife.
Ha said he is preparing to direct a comedy film, tentatively titled “Lobby,” which will begin filming in September. He previously directed “Fasten Your Seatbelt” (2013) and “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” (2015).
“We are currently in the pre-production stage, but we will finalize the casting and begin shooting in September. It's going to be a comedy movie about various kinds of people you meet on a golf course. It was partially inspired by my personal experiences,” he said.
“Ransomed” will hit local theaters on Aug. 2.