Actors of The Battleship Island, Hwang Jung Min, Song Joong Ki and So Ji Sub and Director of the movie, Ryoo Seung Wan, were in Singapore on 8 August to promote their movie. Before the fan meeting, we got the chance to be present for the media press conference to hear more about their feelings about the movie. Read on to find out about what was shared during the press conference!
What was the motivation behind the movie?
Ryoo Seung Wan: The making of this movie began with the picture of the Battleship Island that you saw back in 2013. It was so overwhelming that when I found out the background of the island, I was really moved to bring the story of the island to the audience. There was definitely a lot of challenges along the way during the filming of the movie but when you think about the suffering and events (of the korean laborers) that took place within the island, the tragedy is definitely nothing compared to that (the challenges during the filming of the movie).
So, Jung Min, it’s not your first time working with the director, how do you feel about working with the director again?
Hwang Jung Min: First of all, directors don’t really re-cast actors in their new movies, so I’m extremely blessed and very thankful that I’m being casted in this new film. I feel honoured that I’m able to be part of telling the history to the audience.
Question for Ji Sub, did you get injured when playing the role of a gangster?
So Ji Sub: There was a lot of preparation before filming those action scenes and in fact, I took about 1 and half month preparing for every detail to every scene. There wasn’t any major injury during the filming of the movie.
Who’s the happy pill on set?
So Ji Sub: The happy pill on the set would be Kim Su An. As a child actress, she has a brighter character. She takes the role of someone more cheerful so eventually she becomes the happy virus on the filming set.
In the movie, it’s seen that you’re a master of many talents, Jung Min, how did you prepare for the filming?
Hwang Jung Min: As for playing the clarinet, I’ve been playing it for many years. For Japanese, I memorised the lines and slangs without question instead of knowing the language.
You’ve played the role of a soldier for your previous hit drama which was Descendants of the Sun. So, Joong Ki, how do you feel about playing another role of a soldier?
Song Joong Ki: In the movie, I’m playing a soldier dispatched by the korean army. If you count the number of years I’ve spent playing the role of the soldier in DOTS as well as the years I’ve spent serving the Korean army, I’ve been living the life of a soldier for 5 years. It’s something so natural to me now. I have short hair as well so I can easily immerse myself in the role.
Do you feel pressure being the youngest amongst the actors who are older than you?
Song Joong Ki: There was no pressure. I felt comfortable being on set because everyone took care of me well and gave me good advices. I felt that the chemistry amongst the actors were of a good balance which put me at ease.
HJM, would you say this movie is the toughest movie so far?
Hwang Jung Min: Yes. There was a sense of fear because the set was so real and so massive that it really portrayed the battleship island many years ago. It was very overwhelming. The story is about survival – in the movie, I play the role of a father to a young girl whom I have to protect, escape together with and ensure that she’s well taken care of.
Most memorable scene?
Song Joong Ki: For me, it will be the mass escape sequence towards the end of the movie not because of the cinematography but because it depicts the suffering that these people went through on the island.
Ryoo Seung Wan: My favourite scene is aligned to your (audience) favourite scene. Once the audience watch the movie, they will have a favourite scene so that would be my favourite scene as well.
Hwang Jung Min: My most memorable scene would be the scene where my character plays with his daughter using the long rubber brand string, as well as holding her up in the air and playing with her. It was a very touching scene for me because the island had ridiculously harsh environment and yet that scene reminded me of fathers and daughters playing back in their hometown.
So Ji Sub: My favourite scene would be the ending where it zooms into the character So Hee, because that particular face expression depicts the pain, suffering, hardships as well as hope in the past and present.
What do you think is most charming about your co-actor upon the first meeting?
Hwang Jung Min: So Ji Sub has a subtle, quiet personality which makes me want to rely on him even more. Song Joong Ki is very considerate and well-mannered.
So Ji Sub: Song Joong Ki’s looks charm both men and women. Hwang Jung Min exudes good leadership – both personally and as an actor.
Song Joong Ki: Hwang Jung Min has an immense level of concentration when he’s acting, and that’s something I really admire about as a junior actor. I see So Ji Sub as someone who has a concrete and solid character. He doesn’t talk much so instead of saying a thousand words, he puts it out into actions. So I aspire to be someone like him when I reach his age.
The Battleship Island brings to life the dark history of conscripting forced Korean laborers and subjecting them to exceptionally harsh working conditions on Hashima Island towards the end of World War 2. Hashima Island or nicknamed as the “Battleship Island”, is a place of unspeakable cruelty for 400 Koreans who suffer slave-like treatment with almost no pay. The dramatic escape narrative features an all-star cast of some of the Korean film industry’s most popular actors such, Hwang Jung Min (Veteran, Ode To My Father), So Ji Sub (Always, Sophie’s Revenge), Song Joong Ki (A Werewolf Boy, Descendants Of The Sun).
The Battleship Island is co-distributed in Singapore by Clover Films, Golden Village Pictures; in association with King Kong Media Productions & The Number 8 Yard; and the movie opens in cinemas islandwide on 17 August 2017. Be sure to catch it!