Director Ryoo Seung-wan expands spy universe with 'Humint'

Actor Zo In-sung speaks during a press conference for his movie “Humint” at a theater in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

The upcoming espionage action film "Humint" is a gripping tale set in Vladivostok, Russia, a city where lethal secrets and hidden truths sink into the cold sea, according to its director Ryoo Seung-wan.

"The core keywords for this film are fun and tension," Ryoo said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. "Even while reviewing the footage after filming, I found myself flinching, unwillingly. The suspense is so intense that I’d recommend audiences take a warm bath to relax their muscles before coming to the theater."

The film follows four individuals who gather in the border area between North Korea and Russia to learn more a mysterious incident.

The narrative unfolds around a South Korean intelligence agent (Zo In-sung), a North Korean security official (Park Jeong-min), a North Korean consul general (Park Hae-joon) and a North Korean waitress neamed Seungwha who becomes an informant (Shin Sae-kyeong).

A poster for “Humint” / Courtesy of NEW

The film continues the director’s genre work in spy thrillers, drawing on his experience with "The Berlin File" (2013). While "Humint" shares a similar atmosphere with his previous hit, Ryoo noted that the core themes of this story are rooted in salvation and sacrifice.

Zo plays agent Jo, a cool-headed agent who suffers from trauma after losing an informant under tragic circumstances.

Having previously starred in Ryoo’s "Escape from Mogadishu" (2021) and "Smugglers" (2023), the actor spoke about his deepening creative partnership with the director.

"I certainly consider myself a partner to the director, but I’m not sure if he or the production company feels the same," Zo joked.

Regarding the intense action scenes, Zo explained that the director personally demonstrated moves for the Latvian staff on set. "I tried to make the action look elegant, but it wasn't easy," he said.

From left, Zo In-sung, Shin Sae-kyeong, Ryoo Seung-wan, Park Jeong-min and Park Hae-joon stand and take questions during a press conference for their upcoming film “Humint” at a theater in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Park, who plays the North Korean security official Park Gun, said his character undergoes a significant emotional shift after meeting Shin's character in Vladivostok. He explained that Park Gun is a figure caught between his growing bond with Seon-hwa and an unexpected "bromance" with Jo.

"The action looks different depending on whether it's before or after he feels those emotional cracks," Park said. "While he has feelings for Seon-hwa, there is also a bromance with Jo. He is a character standing right at the center of all these emotions."

Shin returns to the big screen after 12 years as a North Korean restaurant worker who chooses to become an informant for survival.

"Being away from home for a long time isn't easy, but for me, that time was enjoyable," Shin said. "The feeling of staying in a city with people who are all in the same boat remains a sparkling memory."

Park Hae-joon plays the North Korean consul general, a character driven by a lust for power and greed who adds a lot of tension to the story. He joked that he fired more bullets in this film than he did during his mandatory military service.

Ryoo emphasized that "Humint" is a film specifically designed for the theatrical experience. He expressed confidence that the depth of the characters and the waves of emotion they bring to screen would be even more profound than his previous works.

"You will be able to feel the exotic mise-en-scène and the passionate acting of the actors on a large screen," Zo added.

“Humint” will hit theaters on Feb. 11.