Hyun Bin initially hesitated to take on the role of Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun in the film Harbin, but ultimately decided to accept the challenging role after multiple discussions with director Woo Min-ho. Hyun recognized the significance of portraying such an iconic figure in Korean history and saw it as an opportunity to challenge himself as an actor. The film also stars Jeon Yeo-been and Park Jeong-min, and had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Set in the early 1900s, Harbin tells the story of Korea’s struggle against Japanese colonization and the role of Ahn Jung-geun in leading a campaign of armed resistance against the Japanese. The film delves into the complexities of Ahn’s character, highlighting his successes and failures as a leader in the fight for Korean independence. Director Woo Min-ho was initially overwhelmed by the task of portraying Ahn’s journey on screen, but found inspiration in a book about Ahn that highlighted his release of Japanese war prisoners and the resulting suspicions and rifts among the independence fighters.
Harbin was filmed in various locations across Korea, Mongolia, and Latvia, with cinematography by Hong Kyeong-pyo. Both Hyun Bin and Woo Min-ho found the experience of shooting in challenging conditions to be reminiscent of the struggles that Ahn and the Korean independence fighters faced during their mission. The film draws inspiration from Alejandro G. Inarritu’s The Revenant, which portrays the battle between humans and nature. Hyun Bin prepared for his role by studying Ahn’s autobiography, visiting the Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum in Seoul, and reading Ahn’s writings and letters.
Woo Min-ho drew inspiration from the Korean epic novel Toji by Park Kyong-ni, which captures the emotions and struggles of people during tumultuous times. The director also collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra and Abbey Road Studios to create the soundtrack of Harbin. While Ahn Jung-geun is a well-known figure in Korea, Woo hopes that the film will resonate with overseas audiences as well, as it conveys a universal message of perseverance and conviction in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges of depicting such a revered historical figure, Hyun and Woo are committed to bringing Ahn Jung-geun’s story to a global audience.
