Actors Lee Hye-young and Kim Sung-cheol have met as killers.
Their ambition is to shake up the spring theater with irreplaceable energy. On the morning of the 27th, a production briefing for the movie ‘Pagua’ was held at Lotte Cinema, Konkuk University Entrance in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
Director Min Kyu-dong, who took the megaphone, and actors Lee Hye-young and Kim Sung-cheol attended the event. ‘Pagua’ depicts the intense showdown between legendary killer Jogak (Lee Hye-young), who has been active in an organization dealing with cockroach-like humans for over 40 years, and the mysterious killer Tuyu (Kim Sung-cheol), who has been chasing him all his life. The movie is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by author Ku Byeong-mo.
On this day, Director Min Kyu-dong introduced, “It is an unprecedented film where a female killer in her 60s and a mysterious pursuer collide intensely, shaking up life,” and added, “As I was thinking about how to convey the story of ‘Pagua’ — an unfamiliar word — a legendary gunman came to mind.
I thought it could become a Western film with fate and inevitability rather than a simple battle.” He continued, “The contrast between Jogak and Tuyu is an important concept of the movie.
Jogak is a person who has lived a consistent life for nearly 50 years in isolation.
Her existence itself is considered art.
She has style and a stubborn philosophy.
In contrast, Tuyu is youthful, emotional, and flamboyant.
However, the words he throws have a multifaceted meaning that is not easily understood at once,” he explained. Lee Hye-young, who plays Jogak, said, “I was very happy to take on this challenge.
‘Pagua’ achieves a unique harmony of action as a genre and something that makes you think,” she said, adding, “Jogak is a woman who has lived as a legendary killer and is still active.” She expressed gratitude by saying, “I wasn’t confident in anything, but thanks to the director, I was able to do it.” Kim Sung-cheol, who played Tuyu, defined him as “a character whose inner self is hard to grasp,” saying, “The director said it should be intense from the first appearance and suggested a long take.
We rehearsed for 2 hours.
We thought it would end in about 5 takes, but we went 17 times.
He just wouldn’t say OK,” he revealed, bringing laughter to the audience.
The chemistry between Jogak and Tuyu, the two actors, was beyond imagination.
Kim Sung-cheol said, “Every shoot with the teacher was very happy.
You kept showing something I couldn’t dare to reach.
I thought I should become an adult like that,” he expressed his respect.
In response, Lee Hye-young said, “Such words give me strength,” and added, “Kim Sung-cheol had incredible agility.
It was something I couldn’t mimic,” she responded. Kim Sung-cheol also talked about the action scenes, a highlight of ‘Pagua.’
He said, “Jogak is legendary and efficiency-focused.
So she kills people concisely in a short time.
On the other hand, Tuyu shows off and belittles the opponent.
So the action was designed to be performative rather than just an overpowering suppression,” he pointed out.
Previously, ‘Pagua’ was invited to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it received acclaim from global film fans.
Director Min shared his feelings by saying, “It was an honor,” and said, “People who watched the movie said it was ‘brutal yet lyrical,’ ‘violent yet beautiful,’ ‘an intense action movie yet containing a deep life narrative.’
I was glad they seemed to understand my intentions well,” he confessed. Lee Hye-young also said, “I was very happy to be able to see our movie in Berlin,” adding, “Director Min Kyu-dong’s movies usually make you think, but ‘Pagua’ also achieved the fun of the action genre.
It’s the most fun movie among Director Min Kyu-dong’s films.
It’s more fun than Director Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Mickey 17,’” she confidently stated. Director Min, though embarrassed by the unexpected praise, still laughed and added, “‘Pagua’ has the genre pleasure as an entertainment film.
And in the end, someone’s face, their back, will remain long.
I hope it leaves a deep impression that won’t be forgotten all day long.” Meanwhile, ‘Pagua’ is set to be released on May 1. Reporter Jang Joo-yeon jang3@edaily.co.kr