INTERVIEW 'In Our Prime' writer explores mathematical questioning, courage
“In Our Prime” screenwriter Lee Yong-jae / Courtesy of Showbox
By Kwak Yeon-soo
On the surface, “In Our Prime” is about a brilliant but troubled mathematician, but it's really about socially withdrawn people offering emotional support to each other, according to screenwriter Lee Yong-jae.
Lee, who worked as a journalist and fund manager before becoming a full-time screenwriter, took inspiration from his own experience and interest in mathematics to write the script of “In Our Prime.” He acquired important insights by reading about the history of mathematics and renowned mathematicians.
In the human drama, Choi Min-sik plays North Korean mathematician Lee Hak-sung, who has defected to South Korea 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 into the 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.
A scene from the film, "In Our Prime" / Courtesy of Showbox
As for Hak-sung's character, Lee took ideas from Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman, known for his contributions to the field of geometry, Korean mathematician Ree Rim-hak, known for his Ree group concept, and Hungarian mathematician Paul Erdos, who solved thorny problems in number theory.
“Most people, including myself, can live a life without having serious problems if they know how to add and subtract. Sure, mathematical knowledge is necessary for flying satellites or making smartphones. However, that feels like a different world to ordinary people like us,” Lee said in a written interview with The Korea Times.
“I wanted to tell a story about a person who dedicates his life to proving undiscovered mathematical theorem. Only humans attempt to do such foolish thing in search of solving mysteries and myths. A true mathematician is someone who pursues beauty regardless of any recognition of its utility.”
A mentor-mentee relationship is at the center of the story, but Lee focused on showing human interaction between different characters. The film's message, which is about a person's desire not to be bound by the circumstances of one's birth, shines to its fullest form throughout the film.
Lee expressed his respect for mathematics by saying, “What's mathematically proven is eternal. The irreversible truth feels mystic to me. It's an indescribable feeling to think of the theorem of Euclidean geometry that is more than 2,300 years old,” he said.
Asked about his opinions on the audience who may find the topic boring due to their lack of interest in mathematics, the writer said: “I would like to say that even if you are not good at math, you can feel the thrill of math. This is same as spectators enjoying football when we are not Son Heung-min.”
“In Our Prime” topped local box office for a third week since its March 9 release. According to data by Korean Film Council, the film attracted a cumulative 394,355 moviegoers as of Monday.