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| The film "Confidential Assignment 2: International," the sequel to the 2017 action film "Confidential Assignment," is set to hit local theaters on Sept. 7. Courtesy of CJ ENM |
Sequel picks up on team-up between agents from two Koreas, US
By Lee Gyu-lee
About five years after the comedy action film "Confidential Assignment," about a cooperative operation between a South and a North Korean agent, was a hit, a more action-packed, nail-biting sequel is scheduled to be released on Sept. 7.
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| Yoo Hae-jin plays the role of South Korean detective Kang Jin-tae in the film "Confidential Assignment 2: International." Courtesy of CJ ENM |
Jang Myung-joon (Jin Sun-kyu), a North Korean crime lord who was caught by the FBI, escapes after a shootout on his way to be transferred to Pyongyang from New York. In order to catch the notorious criminal, the two Koreas' agents and FBI agent Jack (Daniel Henney) work together, while hiding their own motives.
The sequel is led by new director Lee Seok-hoon, who is known for leading the 2014 comedy action film "The Pirates" and the 2015 drama film "The Himalayas."
Yoo noted that he was rather reluctant to the idea of following up the 2017 hit film, which garnered about 7.8 million ticket sales at the time.
"There were some things that I was concerned about … because the second film always seems to be short of the original. The audiences liked the action and the comedy of 'Confidential Assignment' and I was worried if we might not meet that with the second one," the actor told The Korea Times, Thursday.
"But one of the upsides was that I was working with director Lee again since 'The Pirates,' which I was looking forward to. My faith in the director played a huge part (in reprising the role) … and with Daniel Henney joining, the story became more dynamic and turned out well," he said.
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| Hyun Bin plays the role of North Korean agent Lim Cheol-ryung in the film "Confidential Assignment 2: International." Courtesy of VAST Entertainment |
Yoo and Hyun expressed that their reunion made filming more enjoyable, creating better chemistry between the two characters.
"Since the first film, Hyun and I would meet up once in a while and would work out together," Yoo said, adding that his relationship with Hyun has gotten more comfortable over time. "Hyun actually became funnier. We've grown comfortable with each other and Hyun also has changed. It feels he has become more easygoing as he's gotten older, and there's wit that comes from it."
Hyun added that their chemistry contributed to bringing out the comedy part of the blockbuster.
"There's humor in the scenes where Cheol-ryung is with Jin-tae's family. I think that comes from the two characters' relationship that we have grown comfortable with each other," he said. "I'm satisfied that we were able to show more comedy with the second series."
The actor said he has grown to see the bigger picture while working on this new film. "Personally, I still do, but had been more goal-oriented and had a narrower view. But through this film, I feel like I came to think more about what's happening around me. And I think Yoo noticed that change and said that I've become more relaxed," he said.
Hyun, who is expecting his first child with actress Son Ye-jin, expressed his excitement as a soon-to-be father.
"I am still not quite grasping (that I'm going to be a father). But when I ask, people around me say, 'You will feel it when you see the child.' It's such a huge blessing so I'm joyfully looking forward to it," he said.
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