Korean remake of 'The Intern': Choi Min-sik adds local flavor to Hollywood's hit

Actors Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee recently convened for a press conference at the CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul to discuss their upcoming film, The Intern, which is set to debut on September 16. The movie is a remake of the Hollywood hit featuring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, but with a distinctly Korean touch.

Choi Min-sik, who plays the senior intern Gi-ho, emphasized that while they maintained the core structure of the original story, the film's emotional tone would feel familiar and relatable to Korean audiences. He stated, "We retained the basic framework of the original, but it's going to be different. We aimed to create a story that resonates with everyone, encapsulating emotions and sentiments that are not foreign to us."

During the event, Choi expressed that the high caliber of the original film and its cast initially caused him some apprehension. "I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, considering how excellent the original film is and how talented the actors are," he shared. However, he was eager to reinterpret the story within a Korean context, reflecting the collective sufferings, harmonies, and intergenerational conflicts of Korean life.

In this adaptation, the narrative follows the character Seo-won, a passionate CEO leading a fashion company, who brings on Gi-ho as an intern. Director Kim Do-young noted, "Seo-won and Gi-ho are significantly more relatable characters than in the original. They possess vulnerabilities, loneliness, and inner anxieties that audiences can easily identify with."

Han So-hee, who plays Seo-won, shared her experience adapting the character. "I really tried to forget the original to focus on how I can reinterpret Seo-won based on my personality. During this process, I discovered many aspects that resonated with me." She also mentioned that her friends and peers in their thirties working in startups greatly influenced her portrayal.

The film delves into the precarious balance between a CEO's responsibilities and personal desires, which Han aimed to express in her performance. She noted, "I put a lot of thought into how to present a charismatic wardrobe fitting for a fashion CEO and tried to incorporate various styles that wouldn't follow fleeting trends."

Choi and Han’s unique pairing, one being a young CEO and the other a seasoned intern, creates an interesting dynamic that’s fresh and appealing. When he learned that Han had been cast as his co-star, Choi was surprised yet excited: "I thought, 'The Han So-hee?' This was an opportunity I had to be prepared for." He praised her dedication and passion, noting, "Her attitude toward the role and her enthusiasm for the project were impressive."

Han reminisced about her excitement upon learning Choi would be playing Gi-ho: "From the moment I heard that he would play my counterpart, I felt an overwhelming desire to join this project. It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something I might not encounter again."

With its release around the corner, The Intern promises to deliver an emotionally rich story that reflects the nuances of Korean identity while retaining the spirit of the beloved original.