At the production briefing for the film ‘Divine Ensemble’ held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 8th, the director and actors pose for photos. From left: actors Han Jeong-wan, Moon Kyung-min, Go Hye-jin, Jung Jin-woon, Park Si-Hoo, Seo Dong-won, Choi Sun-ja, Shin Han-gyeol. Yonhap News

Actor Park Si-Hoo has returned to the big screen after 10 years. Through ‘Divine Ensemble,’ which depicts a fake praise team created under the North Korean system, it tells a warm story of humanity.

At the ‘Divine Ensemble’ production briefing held on the morning of the 8th at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, a total of 12 actors attended, including director Kim Hyung-hyeop as well as Park Si-Hoo, Jung Jin-woon, Tae Hang-ho, Jang Ji-geon, Han Jeong-wan, Moon Kyung-min, Go Hye-jin, and Choi Sun-ja.

The film ‘Divine Ensemble’ is a music film that portrays the reality of a fake praise team created in North Korea to earn foreign currency, and it has drawn attention as the first music film to use North Korea as its subject.

Regarding the project’s direction, director Kim said, “Set against North Korea, where there is no freedom of religion, I think the irony and humanity lie in a fake praise team being organized there,” adding, “With the premise of a North Korean praise team, the ultimate message is about human essence, the love in our hearts.” While it deals with the structural tragedy of reality, the point the film heads toward is not deprivation but ‘people.’

True to a film that requires an ‘ensemble’ beyond extras, great care went into the casting. The director said, “It was a film for which I pored over a 100-page actor list for more than a week, over and over, wondering who would fit each role,” and added, “As you can see, an excellent cast has been assembled.”

Actor Park Si-Hoo states his position regarding controversy over arranging an extramarital affair at the production briefing for the film ‘Divine Ensemble’ held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 8th. Yonhap News

Among all this, what draws the most attention is Park Si-Hoo’s return to the big screen. It has been 10 years. He plays State Security officer ‘Gyosun,’ a cool-headed figure who gradually changes. Park said, “The process by which ‘Gyosun’ changes as he interacts with the villains is extremely appealing.” The emotional arc crumbling beneath a hard exterior is expected to be his acting direction in this work.

Before discussing the work, Park first addressed the recent controversy over his private life. It is unusual to offer a personal explanation at a production presentation. He said, “I have mixed feelings about making a personal remark through this production briefing,” and “We are pursuing legal procedures against clearly false claims. I will leave it to the judgment of the law.” As this was a forum for the film, he seemed intent on not prolonging it or inviting further interpretation.

Actors Park Si-Hoo (right) and Jung Jin-woon pose at the production briefing for the film ‘Divine Ensemble’ held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 8th. Yonhap News

Jung Jin-woon, who forms a confrontational dynamic with Park, said tension coexisted on and off screen. He said, “Regardless of rank, I had to compete to survive in that relationship, so I tried hard to maintain a tense energy, but the environment was very tough,” and, “We had to film in conditions close to minus 40 degrees, so camaraderie developed.”

Reportedly, on the Mongolian set, icicles formed on their beards. Despite the harsh weather, their relationship was much softer once the camera stopped. Park said, “Mr. Jung Jin-woon has such a bright personality and communicates well, and his rapport with each of the other actors was good. Not because I am a senior, but I think he accommodated me a lot on a human level.” Jung responded, “He received me well, so I could be a bit spoiled. I also playfully whined and had fun.”

Actor Han Jeong-wan poses at the production briefing for the film ‘Divine Ensemble’ held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 8th. Yonhap News

As a music film, each actor’s live performance ability also determines the film’s immersion. Han Jeong-wan, who performed “Love Always Runs Away” in a North Korean dialect version, said, “I studied hard while preparing with a teacher who taught the North Korean language.” The director also explained the reason for the song choice: “It plays a decisive role in the film. It is also the song that changes Gyosun, so beyond its renown, it carries meaning. Actor Han Jeong-wan delivered it wonderfully.”

Director Kim Hyung-hyeop once again emphasized the key theme of this work. He said, “I did not intend to include political content. The humanism we can find comes from the irony we are in,” asking the audience to focus on ‘people.’

In the end, ‘Divine Ensemble’ seeks to be a film imbued with emotion beyond genre. It tells the story of people who had to sing to survive within a thunderous system. And attention is on how Park Si-Hoo’s choice to return to the screen, through their solidarity, will be received.

The film ‘Divine Ensemble’ opens on the 31st.