The hit filmmaker who helmed “Veteran” (2015) and “Escape From Mogadishu” (2021) returns with the star-studded female-led action film “Smugglers.”
Set in a peaceful seaside village in the 1970s, the crime action film revolves around an accident in front of "haenyeo," female divers who collect seafood from the ocean floor. Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Zo In-sung, Park Jung-min, Kim Jong-soo and Go Min-si star in the film.
Kim Hye-soo and Yum Jung-ha had to overcome their fear of the water while shooting the film. Most of the scenes were shot inside a 6-meter-deep water tank.
“I didn’t know that I panic when I see water. Maybe it was after shooting 'The Thieves' (2012) when I was locked in a submerged car in handcuffs. So it took me a while to get familiar with underwater shooting,” Kim said during a press conference at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University on Tuesday.
Prior to the underwater and seaside shooting, the actors trained for about three months.
Director Ryoo Seung-wan said although the film is led by two female characters, it’s more about a team. “From the planning stage, I had Kim Hye-soo and Yum Jung-ah in my mind. It’s something that I cannot explain in words, but for me, they were irreplaceable actors for this movie,” Ryoo told reporters, joking that Zo In-sung and Park Jungmin were cast as he was looking for actors who were not busy. “Unlike TV dramas or streaming content, there have not been many female-led films. (When I received the director’s suggestion for this project,) I was thankful that this kind of film was planned and I got the role. I also appreciate Zo and Park for adding good energy to our film,” Kim said.
“Smugglers” opens in local theaters July 26. [TheKoreaHerald]
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