Director Jang Hang-jun benefited from BTS RM

《Kang Min-kyung’s Insert》
Like an insert scene that magnifies important points in a movie, TenAsia reporter Kang Min-kyung focuses on issues in the film industry. Let’s take a closer look at the front and back of the hot topic from a three-dimensional perspective.

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Director Jang Hang-jun made a comeback to the screen after 6 years with the movie 'Rebound'. Can Director Jang shoot a spark that will breathe life into the Korean film industry, which is in crisis?

Director Jang tends to state his goals openly and honestly. Even before the release of 'Rebound', he enjoyed great publicity by mentioning RM, a member of BTS. Director Jang, who told RM, “I want to benefit from you at least once,” got his wish.

RM made a surprise appearance at the recently held ‘Rebound’ VIP preview. RM, who accepted Director Jang's invitation, stood at the photo wall with Professor Kim Sang-wook and other cast members from the tvN entertainment show 'Useful People's Job.' RM struck a fighting and basketball shooting pose to wish for the movie's success. He also posted a photo of Director Jang greeting the stage on social media.

In fact, Director Jang said he wasn't sure whether RM would attend the VIP screening.

'Rebound', which was released on the 5th, is a miraculous story of the 8 days of the 2012 National High School Basketball Tournament, in which a new coach and 6 players of the weakest basketball team that no one paid attention to worked tirelessly. It is based on the true story of Busan Jungang High School's success in the 2012 Korea Basketball Association Long National Middle and High School Basketball Tournament.

RM made a surprise appearance at the recently held ‘Rebound’ VIP preview. Director Jang Hang-jun invited RM, but said he did not expect him to attend due to uncertainty. Director Jang Hang-jun, who saw RM appearing in the photo wall, laughed and said, "Namjoon has a trustworthy style. He is cautious in his every word, which is not befitting of his age. He seemed to have a sense of weight. I thought it would backfire if I kept pestering him, so I waited, but I was glad he came." .

RM left a photo of Director Jang Hang-jun and others greeting the stage with the message, “Going good, Coach Maltese.. #rebound.” RM's loyalty did not end here. He appeared at the after-party, said hello, and left. Director Jang Hang-jun explained, "I wanted to have a drink first, so I went to the after-party. (RM) said he would come to say hello. I came to the after-party, said hello, and left. I benefited."

Not only RM, but also the main character of the movie, Kang Yang-hyeon, the current coach of Chosun University, and his opponent Heo Hoon, who played an ace role in the final against Busan Jungang High School, also contributed to the 'rebound'. Heo Hoon watched the movie and said it was similar to reality. Director Jang Hang-jun, who benefited from RM, now meets the audience directly. In fact, 'Rebound' came to light after many twists and turns.

The start of the ‘rebound’ was 11 years ago. In fact, it was difficult to get investment, and production was canceled once in the middle, and the team was disbanded. However, as the title of the movie 'Rebound' suggests, director Jang Hang-jun was given another opportunity. Director Jang Hang-jun, who directed the film with his blood boiling, hoped that 'Rebound' would not become his 'posthumous work'.

Former national basketball team coach Cho Sang-hyeon attended the 'Rebound' audition and helped provide a sharp evaluation. With the active cooperation of the Korea Basketball League (KBL), actual referees took on the role of referees in the play, further enhancing the sense of realism. In particular, KBL actively helped promote ‘Rebound’. Currently, the KBL is in the process of spring basketball, also known as the playoffs. It is hoped that with the success of 'Rebound', interest in basketball will increase.

After many twists and turns, another opportunity came to be a 'rebound', but the controversy over Cheon Ki-beom's drunk driving was disappointing. The real-life character Cheon Ki-beom, played by Lee Shin-young, retired in disgrace from KBL due to controversy over drunk driving and making false statements. Cheon Ki-beom chose to retire in order to take moral responsibility for the drunk driving incident. Currently, he has signed a contract with the Fukushima Firebones of Japan's B.2 League and is playing on the court in Japan, not Korea.

Director Jang Hang-jun chose to tackle the Cheon Ki-beom incident head on. This is the result of deciding that the story itself is more important than the player Cheon Ki-beom himself, in a situation where it is inevitable that it will be revealed as fact. He emphasized that it is a story about a 25-year-old young man who has given up on basketball and overcomes difficulties along with six underprivileged boys who no one pays attention to.

Currently, 'Suzume's Lockdown', 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor of Thieves', and 'The First Slam Dunk' are at the top of the box office. Japanese animation and foreign films are strong. The success of Rebound is bound to have an impact on Korean movies awaiting release. Attention is being paid to whether the firework shot thrown by director Jang Hang-jun, who benefited from RM, can bring a 'rebound' to the stagnant Korean film industry.

Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr