Top actors all out to compete on the big screen
CHARISMATIC actors Choi Min-sik, Cho Jin-woong and Sol Kyung-gu are returning to compete on the big screen.
The audience expectations are high for their upcoming films as the three are often regarded as certified checks for box office success with their captivating acting. Their competition for the top box office ranking starts with Choi in ‘The Mayor’, which is set for release next Wednesday.
‘The Mayor’ is already the talk of the town with its story that depicts a municipal election campaign. Choi plays two-term incumbent Seoul mayor Byeon Jong-gu, who is seeking a third term as he eyes a presidential race in the future.
With the 2017 presidential election coming up on May 9, ‘The Mayor’ shows how politicians strive to seize and keep power though elections.
“When you are writing a story or a scenario, it is important to know what you want to talk about,” said filmmaker Park In-je during a press meeting at CGV Apgujeong in Seoul, last month. “I wanted to talk about people’s unremitting desire for power. Politicians are at the top when it comes to desire for power and
I wanted to talk about people’s unremitting desire for power. Politicians are at the top when it comes to desire for power and an election is the most important event for them to enter the political scene. — Park In-je, filmmaker
an election is the most important event for them to enter the political scene.”
Choi compared his character to a chameleon, in the way he changes according to the environment when “an enemy” approaches.
“Byeon can change according to his needs and he is loyal to his desire. His goal is simple. He is running for the post of Seoul mayor for a third time, which he will use as a stepping stone to run for president,” said Choi.
Cho rose to stardom with his scene-stealing roles in films, such as ‘Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time’ (2012), ‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents’ (2014) and ‘The Handmaiden’ (2016). In his new movie ‘The Sheriff in Town’, Cho portrays a successful villainous businessman Koo Jongjin who goes to a peaceful Busan to build a beach town. At the same time, a former detective suspects Koo of drug smuggling.
“My character Jong-jin grew up in the town of Gijang in Busan and he became successful in Seoul, the capital city,” said Cho during a press meeting at Lotte Cinema in Konkuk University in Seoul, last month. “I guess it was his dream to return home in glory, but he does not get along with the former detective. We are like oil and water in the movie.”
‘The Merciless’ is a crime film that depicts the story of a criminal organisation and Sol’s character, Jae-ho dreams of becoming its boss. Crime films have been popular in the local market and Sol hopes to show his chemistry with rising actor Im Si-wan of Kpop group ZE:A.
Veteran actor Sol’s ‘The Merciless’ does not have a fixed release date yet but it will be some time in May.
Im appears as a fearless young gangster named Hyun-soo who meets Jae-ho in prison.
They form a friendship behind bars and promise to rise to power together once they get out. However, they find each other has hidden ambitions and their relationship begins to crack.
‘The Merciless’ has been invited to the 70th Cannes Film Festival for the midnight screening category next month.