SEOUL: For South Korean actor Hyun Bin, Harbin is a film that holds great significance. The day after the traditional ceremony to bless the project was held in 2022, his first child was born.
Hyun Bin said that his wife, Son Ye-jin, and their son are now the top priorities in his life.
In a recent interview, the actor talked about his family life and Harbin, which opened in South Korea on December 24 and will be released in select Asian markets before beginning showing in North America on January 3.
Set in 1909 and based on real events, the period drama centres on a group of Korean independence fighters led by Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910) as they plan and carry out the assassination of Ito Hirobumi, Japan’s first prime minister and resident-general of Korea, at China’s Harbin Station.
The event unfolds just before Japan’s annexation of Korea.
“Getting married and having a child has changed so much,” Hyun Bin said as he reflected on how his life has transformed since becoming a father.
“My thoughts and responsibilities have shifted. I used to live with myself at the centre, but now, my child and my wife have become the centre of my life ... My son and Son Ye-jin are my top priorities, and I’m second.”
Asked about his Japanese fans, who greatly admire him because of the hit drama Crash Landing on You, and the concerns they might have regarding his role in Harbin, he said, “There were many worries about whether this was the right choice.” Yet he felt the project carried deep meaning.
“Not just with Harbin, but historical stories like this, when made into films, remind us of things we may have forgotten and make us feel gratitude again.”
He added that director Woo Min-ho wanted to capture the journey leading to Ahn’s historic mission.
“The movie starts with the question: what might the hidden side of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun have been like? It explores the groundwork rather than ending with a climactic resolution.
“It portrays the journey and efforts of independence fighters while encouraging the audience to take their own steps forwards.”
He described his portrayal of Ahn as “a man who faced repeated failures before his mission”. The film focuses deeply on Ahn’s unwavering resolve as he perseveres through despair towards a single goal.
The actor brings the character to life with striking contrasts – sometimes with long hair and a scruffy beard, other times as a lone figure shrouded in despair as he hides in a room sobbing. Yet through it all, he embodies Ahn’s relentless determination to accomplish his mission.
He reflected on a scene set on a vast frozen lake, where he experienced unsettling sounds echoing beneath his feet.
“When you’re actually there, standing on the ice, it makes these eerie noises. Walking across it alone, the sound creates a sense of fear,” he said.
“I imagine their journey to an unknown destination must have been incredibly lonely, desolate and cold.”
Portraying such a significant historical figure came with immense pressure.
“I couldn’t fully overcome the pressure, even after filming ended,” Hyun Bin said. “The weight of Ahn Jung-geun’s presence and importance is enormous, and I still feel some of that pressure. It was even heavier during filming.
“When we wrapped up, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.” - Article from Korea Times via South China Morning Post
