Hyun Bin is getting used to the North Korean accent, especially Pyongyang.
Studio Dragon/Culture Depot/tvNHyun Bin is getting used to the North Korean accent, especially Pyongyang.
Hyun Bin's recent hit projects, such as the action comedy Confidential Assignment (2017) and the TV romantic comedy "Crash Landing On You" (2019) have one thing in common in that he plays a character who hails from North Korea.
In Confidential Assignment, Hyun Bin plays Chol-ryong, an elite North Korean agent who is sent to Seoul to join inter-Korean cooperation in catching a criminal. The film drew a total of 7.81 million receipts in 2017, becoming the third most-watched film of the year.
Another North Korean soldier, Jung-hyuk's role in “Crash Landing On You” made the actor a global heartthrob as the rom-com (romantic comedy) gained more popularity than expected at home and abroad via Netflix. In the upcoming Confidential Assignment 2: International, Hyun Bin will reprise his role as a well-trained and handsome North Korean agent, raising hopes for another box office success.
"I've done three North Korean languages, and I'm used to North Korean accents, especially Pyongyang accents," Hyun said in an online interview with Korean media reported by Yonhap News, Friday (2/9/2022).
In fact, Hyun Bin said during a meeting with a North Korean teacher during the filming process, he spoke North Korean automatically. However, he never intended to take on the role of North Korea for three projects in a row, nor was he aware that such a character had played a lucrative role.
"It is not my intention. I guess people just said it was because of the previous two hits. I got an offer for Confidential Assignment 2 after the TV series, and the storyline and cast are satisfying. I just want to do it," he said.
In the sequel to the 2017 film, which features a special trilateral investigative project from the two Koreas and the United States to catch criminals, the 39-year-old actor says he doesn't want to just reprise the role. He says North Korea is breaking away from its tragic past, and is becoming brighter and more relaxed in carrying out its second multinational mission with Korean detective Jin-tae (Yoo Hae-jin) and FBI agent Jack (Daniel Henney) in Seoul. Chol-ryong even reacts to the teasing of Min-young (Lim Yoon-a), Jin-tae's sister-in-law.
“He now has a relaxed and cool demeanor. He even made some jokes with Jin-tae's family. Also, she felt jealous of Jack when Min-young had a crush on Jack," said Hyun Bin explaining his character development.
Confidential Assignment 2 is Hyun Bin's first official project after he married his co-star Son Ye-jin in March 2022. He will soon become a father and will turn 40 at the end of this month.
“Since Chol-ryong changed quite a bit between the two series, I think I also had some points that could change my life. I am married and will have children. I think I was given fresh momentum to work more enthusiastically as the head of the family,” he said.
Confidential Assignment 2: International will premiere on Korean screens next week.