Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Heo Sung-tae sheds villain image in action-comedy ‘The Informant’
Actors Heo Sung-tae, left, and Jo Bok-rae in a scene from "The Informant" / Courtesy of NS ENM
By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Heo Sung-tae, renowned for his chilling villainous roles, particularly in "Squid Game" Season 1, makes a dramatic and hilarious shift in his first leading film, "The Informant."
The action-comedy centers on Oh Nam-hyuk (Heo), a burned-out cop dreaming of retirement. He seeks to pull off a final operation by utilizing Jo Tae-bong (Jo Bok-rae), his informant within a smuggling ring. When Tae-bong betrays Nam-hyuk and steals the cash, Nam-hyuk gets kidnapped. This forces both of them to work together on a dangerous case to survive.
Heo’s performance is a major highlight of this film as he broke away from his signature heavy roles. The actor said he felt a natural connection to the character.
"I didn't prepare much for the role of Oh Nam-hyuk," Heo said after the premiere at a theater in Seoul on Thursday. "I felt many similarities to the character and just thought about what I would do."
"The Informant" successfully capitalizes on Heo’s transformation from a chilling villain to a comedic actor, proving his versatility.
“I channeled Won Bin from 'The Man from Nowhere’ during action scene and for comedy, I repeatedly told myself, ‘I am Stephen Chow,’” he humorously added.
Director Kim Seok said he wanted to hire a serious actor for the leading role so he could specifically show the audience that this actor is also funny.
"Heo Sung-tae was the perfect fit, and I put a lot of effort into casting him," Kim said.
Actors Heo Sung-tae, left, and Jo Bok-rae attend a press conference for their upcoming comedy action flick “The Informant” at a theater in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Heo initially hesitated due to the pressure of a leading role but ultimately embraced it. "I think the most important thing in a comedy is good communication and teamwork," he said.
The film’s strong ensemble also includes Jo and Seo Min-ju, who plays a detective in her first such role. Seo diligently prepared by spending a month observing the drug investigation team at a police station and undergoing over a month of action school training.
The film also opened the New York Asian Film Festival in July. Actors said they received warm reactions from U.S. audiences.
"The audience was packed, and the atmosphere was hot,” Jo recalled. “It was so intense that it reminded me of the first time I stood on a play stage. I clearly remember an elderly couple I met after the premiere who told me the film was fun.”
“After the movie, a viewer told me, 'your dancing was gorgeous,' and it was very touching,” Seo shared. “We watched the film with over 300 people who didn't speak the same language, but whether it was because the translation was good or they just laughed well, I was very moved.”
Director Kim also made his first feature film debut with "The Informant." He said he chose the comedy genre because he loves seeing people laugh.
"I thought comedy was the right genre for my debut," Kim said. "I aimed to maintain a strong, non-melodramatic comedic pace throughout."
“The Informant” will hit theaters Dec. 3.