Antiquities thieves captured in comedy film 'Collectors'

From left, actors Lee Je-hoon, Jo Woo-jin, Shin Hae-sun and Lim Won-hee pose during a press event for the film “Collectors” in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Crime comedy “Collectors,” fronted by actors Lee Je-hoon and Shin Hae-sun, revolves around a team of excavators who set out on a mission to retrieve an ancient king's treasure that is buried in a royal tomb located in Seoul.

The so-called “collectors” with diverse skills team up to uncover relics hidden underground.

Lee, who plays genius thief Kang Dong-goo, said the script was fun and he was able to bring out different sides of himself in the film.

“What I loved about the script, when I read it, was that I couldn't stop laughing. It was as though the characters were alive and I had a feeling that the audience would love to see an ensemble of four enthralling characters,” Lee said during a press event held online, Tuesday.

Jo Woo-jin, who appears as ancient tomb mural expert Dr. Jones, described “Collectors” as a fun, fast-paced comedy.

“It usually takes about three to four hours to finish reading a script, but Collectors took me about one-and-a-half hours,” Jo said. “Like the plot itself, Dr. Jones' character is ridiculously funny. He's lighter and more comedic in tone than Indiana Jones.”

Shin, who stars as a curator of ancient art, picked spectacular filming locations as the film's charm.

“Luckily, I didn't engage in manual labor in the film. However, Lee, Jo and Lim worked really hard performing underground and digging down to uncover ancient relics,” she said.

“They dig down to retrieve a gilt-bronze Buddha statue, see the murals of the Goguryeo tombs and even the Seolleung Royal Tomb in Seoul, and the audience will be intrigued by the beauty of such cultural assets.”

Lim Won-hee, who stars as a legendary “shoveling master,” said he was drawn to his character.

“Even if I had to choose between the lead role and the shoveling master, I'd still choose the latter. I'm so fond of my character and I tried to look as sexy and handsome as Antonio Banderas,” Lim said.

Director Park Jung-bae, who is making his debut feature after working as an assistant director on “Miss Granny” and “Silenced,” said he paid a lot of attention to the art, props and set to add a level of realism to the film.

“Because it centers on people digging for artifacts, we put a lot of thought into the art, props and set. The underground tunnel, drainage, sewer and Seolleung Royal Tomb were built on a set,” Park said.

“Collectors” will hit local theaters in November.