Korean remake of 'The Intern' starring Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee to be released on September 16

The Hollywood hit 'The Intern' is being reborn through the performances of Korean actors. Set to be released on September 16, the film 'The Intern' is a remake that reinterprets the 2015 global sensation with a Korean sensibility. The original film was a major success in Korea, drawing 3.61 million viewers. This Korean version, starring Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee, depicts the unique workplace culture and generational clashes inherent in Korean society.

The mismatched first encounter between 37 years of seasoned experience and an MZ generation CEO

The film follows the story of Sun-woo (played by Han So-hee), a CEO who has grown into a dark horse in the fashion industry just three years after founding her company, and Gi-ho (played by Choi Min-sik), who re-enters society as a senior intern after a 37-year career. The 2015 original film explored themes of generation, gender, workplace power dynamics, and human solidarity as 70-year-old retiree Ben Whittaker joins a fashion startup led by young female CEO Jules Ostin as an intern. At the time, the original film earned more than five times its production budget.

The released trailer begins with Gi-ho heading to work for the first time in a long while. When Vice President Young-hwan (played by Kim Jun-han) asks about his strengths and weaknesses during an interview, Gi-ho replies, "My strength is that I have a lot of experience, and my weakness is that I am also old." It captures the moment a man who once stood at the center of an organization begins his professional life again from the very bottom.

On Gi-ho's desk, after receiving his intern ID, sit cream bread, Oranda (a traditional Korean snack), a thermos, a desk clock, a pencil case, and ink. To adapt to his new environment, Gi-ho searches for "how to work with the MZ generation" or looks up the meaning of the slang term "Gam-da-dwi." Meanwhile, Sun-woo reacts with bewilderment when her secretary Min-ah (played by Ryu Hye-young) shows her Gi-ho's resume on a tablet, saying, "Who is this intimidating person?" When Gi-ho is assigned as her direct intern, Sun-woo expresses her discomfort, saying, "You know I don't get along with any adults in this world." Gi-ho offers a polite greeting, saying, "I am the new intern, Kim Gi-ho."

Choi Min-sik's presence and Han So-hee's on-set reflections

Choi Min-sik is an actor known for his charismatic performances in films such as 'New World,' 'Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,' 'Roaring Currents,' and the series 'Casino.' In this work, he plays a character who has relinquished power and re-entered an organization at the lowest level. Following the trailer release, netizens reacted by referencing his previous works, such as parodying a line from 'Roaring Currents' by saying, "I still have twelve interns left, my Lord," or making comments reminiscent of 'Casino.'

Han So-hee portrays Sun-woo, a young CEO who is at the pinnacle of success but harbors inner anxiety and loneliness. In a 'Project Y' round interview held last January, Han So-hee spoke about her chemistry with Choi Min-sik, stating, "Senior Choi Min-sik is unpredictable. No matter how many millions of means and methods I employ, I felt he is always several steps ahead, like an insurmountable mountain." She added, "He is someone who loves acting madly. It made me realize how far I still have to go."

The film is directed by Kim Do-young, who previously presented 'If Only.' The cast includes Kim Jun-han, Ryu Hye-young, Kim Geum-soon, Park Ye-ni, Kim Yo-han, Im Seong-gyun, Yoon Sang-jung, and Han Ji-eun. The movie 'The Intern' is scheduled for release on September 16.