'Kingdom' writer's next project is zero-to-hero sports film 'Rebound'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sat, September 30, 2023 | 11:00

Films

'Kingdom' writer's next project is zero-to-hero sports film 'Rebound'

Posted : 2022-07-31 17:09

Updated : 2022-08-02 13:45

Director Jang Hang-jun, center in the second row, and the cast of "Rebound" pose after they wrap up filming on July 13. Courtesy of BA Entertainment

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Star writer Kim Eun-hee, the creative mind behind Netflix's zombie horror series, "Kingdom," and tvN's crime drama, "Signal," has set her next project, an inspiring basketball movie helmed by her husband, director Jang Hang-jun. Jang previously helmed the works, "Break Out," (2002) "Spring Breeze" (2004) and "Forgotten" (2017).

She has teamed up with award-winning screenwriter Kwon Sung-hui, who penned the 2018 espionage drama film, "Spy Gone North," to write a script for "Rebound."

The film, loosely based on the true story of the JungAng High School basketball team in Busan, follows enthusiastic basketball coach Kang Yang-hyun as he tries to rally a struggling team.

As undersized and under-skilled players come together for a common purpose under Kang's guidance, they defy the odds and the naysayers to rise to the finals of the national high school basketball league.

Jang said he wanted to direct a basketball movie because people love underdog stories and there hasn't been a movie about basketball players in Korea.

"The sports movies that succeeded here were mainly about athletes who overcome obstacles and exhibit sportsmanship to achieve success. The fact that the Jung Ang High School basketball team, which seemed unlikely to pass the first round of the national league, made it to the finals, aroused my curiosity," he said.

Jang explained that Kim made the plot much more compelling. This is her second time working on a script for a film following 2006 romance, "Once in a Summer."

"When I told her about my plans about this project, Kim said she was interested in rewriting the script," he said. "Basketball is a fading sport in Korea, but I hope that the film will spark renewed interest in it."

Actor Ahn Jae-hong, known for his appearance in the 2019 JTBC series, "Be Melodramatic," will play the role of Kang in the upcoming film. "'Rebound' is a delightful mix of sport, comedy and drama. We all worked in a really collaborative atmosphere where the actors were all just trying bring joy and dimension to their roles," he said.

Ahn will appear in the upcoming action fantasy film, "High Five," alongside Yoo Ah-in, Ra Mi-ran and Oh Jung-se. He will also take part in the Netflix series, "Mask Girl," with Go Hyun-jung.

Singer-actor Jeong Jin-woon, who stars as basketball player Bae Gyu-hyuk, said, "We practiced like real players and slammed into one another to create fierce game scenes."

"We started training in the winter and the filming ended in the summer. It feels like I've taken a long-distance trip with the cast and crew. Thanks to their seamless efforts, I think we have a film that viewers can look forward to," director Jang said.

"Rebound" is about to go into post-production and will announce its release date in the near future.

yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr