"The director once said, 'The reason for movement comes from emotion.' While the script was great, the completed film made the melodrama's emotions feel even deeper. Although there are action scenes, the underlying emotions lingered with me for a long time."
Actress Shin Se-kyung shared her thoughts on the film 'Humint' (directed by Ryoo Seung-wan), which offers both action and melodrama. 'Humint' tells the story of people with different motives clashing in Vladivostok. Shin Se-kyung plays Chae Sun-hwa, a North Korean restaurant worker in Vladivostok who becomes an informant for a National Intelligence Service team leader (played by Jo In-sung) and finds herself in danger. This marks Shin Se-kyung's return to commercial films after 12 years since 'Tazza: The Hidden Card' in 2014.
"I didn't specifically choose between films and dramas, but I ended up doing a movie after a long time because I followed an interesting script. The script itself was good, and the character felt attractive, so I didn't hesitate much. The overall narrative was compelling. I lost track of time while reading the script."
Shin Se-kyung spent about three months in Riga, Latvia, for the filming of 'Humint.' She recalled, "Initially, I was worried about the unfamiliar environment, but honestly, it was fun."
"I enjoyed it so much that I want to visit Riga again during a good season. The cost of living is relatively low, and it's a great place to experience culture and food. I love exercising, and it was a good environment for that. I enjoy traveling, but having the film crew there made it even better. While the environment, exercise, and food were satisfying, being with the team allowed us to create intense and warm memories. Those memories made the filming experience even more beautiful."
Chae Sun-hwa's character is set as a North Korean who works and performs at a restaurant. Shin Se-kyung had to practice the North Korean dialect and singing. She laughed, "I was relieved when I heard I sounded like a Pyongyang lady."
"I practiced the song diligently with a vocal coach. In the film, Chae Sun-hwa sings in a North Korean restaurant while facing her ex-lover, and the song holds memories. I tried to act considering the various emotions Chae Sun-hwa would feel in such a situation. There was no shortcut to practicing the North Korean dialect. I received recorded files from a dialect coach and practiced speaking them in my own words. It was a significant challenge for me since I hadn't acted with a dialect before."
In the film, Chae Sun-hwa is accused of being a spy and undergoes water torture during interrogation. Shin Se-kyung shared behind-the-scenes details of the water torture scene.
"I have a fear of water. A body double filmed that scene. I'm okay with water up to chest height, but it's tough when it reaches my respiratory system. That scene was my biggest concern and worry in this project. Thanks to the body double, we were able to film safely."
While the film features action, the deep melodrama offers unexpected enjoyment. At the center of the melodrama are Shin Se-kyung and Park Jung-min. Park Jung-min plays Park Geon, Chae Sun-hwa's ex-lover, and they were once engaged. Shin Se-kyung spoke about working with Park Jung-min, saying, "It was great," and "I relied on him emotionally a lot."
"Working alongside him, you can feel his charm without even looking for it. No matter how chaotic the situation, he quietly does his work, which is admirable. I say this in every interview, and it might sound like a cliché, but it's not. There were many times when I thought, 'I should do it like that too.' I realized, 'That's how he does it, and this is the result.'"
Chae Sun-hwa is a character who receives love from Park Geon and protection from the team leader until the end. Shin Se-kyung smiled, "I felt good being a character who is loved like that." She added, "Watching the completed film, my heart raced when the two men stepped on the gas to save Sun-hwa."
Shin Se-kyung took on various challenges, including the North Korean dialect and singing, in her first film in 12 years. Regarding her goals for the year, she said, "After 'Humint,' I plan to work hard as fans wish."
"In the past, I had specific desires for the characters' professions I wanted to play, but now those specific wishes have decreased. I'm cautious and timid by nature, so through my work, I want to express my emotions without restraint. I want to try playing a character who is free-spirited."
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr