VETERAN - PRESS KIT - A RYOO SEUNG-WAN PICTURE 1
FILM INFORMATION ENGLISH TITLE Veteran ORIGINAL TITLE Veteran DIRECTOR RYOO Seung-wan CAST HWANG Jung-min, YOO Ah-in, YOO Hae-jin, OH Dal-su GENRE Action, Crime PRESENTED BY CJ Entertainment PRODUCTION Filmmakers R&K CO-PRODUCTION Film K WORLD SALES CJ Entertainment PROD. YEAR 2014 KOREA RELEASE DATE Aug 5, 2015 NORTH AMERICA RELEASE DATE SEP 18, 2015 RUN TIME 124 min TECHNICAL INFO 2.39:1 / Color / 5.1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE WWW.CJ-ENTERTAINMENT.COM 2
FILM SYNOPSIS <Logline> Veteran Detective, Do-cheol, confronts the tyrannical heir to a mega-corporation, Tae-oh, to deliver justice and some hard, heavy blows. <Synopsis> After an international auto theft sting, major crimes detective Do-cheol is treated to a night at an exclusive club where he is introduced to Sunjin Group s third-in-line, Tae-oh. Animosity quickly arises between the two as Tae-oh s rude behavior rubs Do-cheol the wrong way. Convinced that Tae-oh is a drug addict, Do-cheol tries to investigate, but is stopped by his boss. Meanwhile, Tae-on runs into Bae, a truck driver who helped Do-cheol with his auto theft case, protesting outside the company headquarters to get his overdue wages. Tae-oh invites Bae up to his office to write him a cheque. But Bae isn t let off easily -- not before he is humiliated and beaten for Tae-oh s amusement. Bae is subsequently hospitalized but his son finds Do-cheol s card and calls for help. Do-cheol feels responsible and decides to get Tae-oh, no matter how much Tae-oh tries to sabotage the investigation. 3
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR RYOO Seung-wan Date of Birth: December 15, 1973 / Place of Birth: Asan, Chungcheongnamdo Province Chungmuro s action kid is back! Since taking the Korean film scene by storm with his ultra-low budget debut feature, DIE BAD, RYOO has been making noteworthy films in the action and thriller genre such as ARAHAN, CRYING FIST, CITY OF VIOLENCE and DACHIMAWA LEE. Nicknamed Chungmuro s Action Kid, RYOO s crime thrillers can be characterized by his hard-edged style with an emphasis on lavishing action sequences. His 2010 crime drama, THE UNJUST, which took a sharp observation into corruption in privileged classes of the modern Korean society garnered critical acclaim and commercial success with 2.76 million admissions, and went on to win Best Director at the Blue Dragon Awards. His follow-up film, THE BERLIN FILE, set a new box office record for the espionage genre with 7.16 million admissions. RYOO returns with his latest, action-packed crime drama, VETERAN, about the showdown between the top major crimes detectives and the tyrannical heir to a conglomerate who believes he is above the law. It all started off from the idea how cool it would be to have a cop like Do-cheol around. I hope this hot-blooded cop who stops at nothing to see justice done will give the audience vicarious satisfaction and cathartic relief, says the director. VETERAN is the latest must-see action flick from RYOO Seung-wan that captures the essence of his unique style. DIRECTOR S STATEMENT VETERAN is a movie about a team of elite major crimes detectives who wage a seemingly losing fight and turn it into a battle worth giving a shot. This movie takes off on this idea, how cool and reassuring it would be to have a cop like SEO Do-cheol on my side. He is like the uncle who is the black sheep of the family but you can always count on to have your back. With characters that make you want to cheer for, I hope you enjoy their action in full blast. Filmography 4
2014 GHOST (short film, director) 2013 THE BERLIN FILE (writer, director) 2010 THE UNJUST (co-producer, adaptation, director) 2008 DACHIMAWA LEE (writer, director) 2006 THE CITY OF VIOLENCE (producer, writer, director, actor) 2005 HEY MAN (director) 2005 CRYING FIST (writer, director) 2004 ARAHAN (writer, director) 2002 NO BLOOD NO TEARS (writer, director) 2000 DIE BAD (writer, director, actor) 5
ABOUT THE FILM An exhilarating blend of adrenaline-charged action and humor! The latest crime action flick from RYOO Seung-wan hits the big screen! Following his 2010 hit crime drama, THE UNJUST, which depicted corruption entangling the privileged class with a cleverly structured plot and dynamic action sequences, and the 2013 espionage thriller THE BERLIN FILE which set a new box office record for domestic spy films, RYOO Seung-wan returns with his latest action crime drama, VETERAN. VETERAN is an exhilarating blend of the director s trademark pulpy action and humor. It follows a team of elite detectives from major crimes squad going after the invincible heir apparent to a multi-billion dollar corporation. While THE UNJUST dealt with the dark underworld of corruption and collusion entangling the power class of the society, in VETERAN, RYOO added more elements of humor and wit to colorful and personable characters resulting in a gratifyingly entertaining action flick. With the feisty detective SEO Do-cheol in the center, we have a team of far-from-perfect but colorful and highly personable characters consisting the major crimes squad. The tension between the detectives and the conglomerate heir who seems to elude justice at every corner builds up to the grand showdown at end of the film. The field officers depicted in VETERAN go up against the seemingly untouchable target with persistence, pride and relentlessness. This action-packed entertainment movie promises to deliver a highly gratifying cinematic experience. HWANG Jung-min, YOO Ah-in, YOO Hae-jin and OH Dal-soo A fantastic teamwork by a cast of veteran actors! A superb cast was put together for VETERAN, packed with some of the most trusted names in the current Korean film scene along with exciting up-and-coming actors. The announcement of this superb cast sent an exciting buzz around the Korean film scene. Following his highly acclaimed performance in ODE TO MY FATHER which garnered over 10 million admissions, HWANG Jung-min landed the titular role of Detective SEO. He is expected once again to prove 6
his worth as one of the Korea s finest actors, as a tough major crimes detective with a warm heart. His convincing portrayal of Do-cheol s character is the driving force behind the story. CHO Tae-oh who goes head to head against the detective, is played by YOO Ah-in, the hottest star to emerge in the Korean film scene in the recent years. The model-turned-actor played various facets of youth in the modern Korean society, ranging from the troubled high school kid in PUNCH; a struggling young man who don t seem to be able to catch a break in TOUGH AS IRON; a genius young pianist who gets entangled in a dangerous love affair with his professor s wife 20 years older than him in the hit TV series, SECRET LOVE AFFAIR. For the first time, YOO tries his hand at playing a villain, portraying a supercilious and chillingly selfcentered heir. OH Dal-soo and YOO Hae-jin, perhaps the most well-recognized faces in Korean movies and celebrated scene stealers, play Chief OH and Tae-oh s troubleshooter, CHOI Daewoong. Also, the famous super-model, JANG Yoon-joo plays the only female detective in the squad along with other up-and-coming actors playing colorful and personable members of the squad. With their own unique colors coupled with stable performance, HWANG Jung-min, YOO Ah-in, YOO Hae-jin and the rest of the cast won t let you take your eyes off the screen. Action sequences created by the master choreographer and RYOO Seung-wan s long term work partner, JUNG Doo-hong! The adrenaline-pumping action sequences were created by the master action choreographer, JUNG Doo-hong. Arguably the industry s best action choreographer, his lavishing action sequences blend thrill, exhilaration and laughter. JUNG and RYOO s partnership tracks all the way back to RYOO s sensational feature debut, DIE BAD. JUNG has since worked closely with RYOO to create some of the most dynamic and lavishing action sequences that are signature to RYOO s action movies. JUNG also played a titular role alongside RYOO, in THE CITY OF VIOLENCE. For VETERAN, JUNG excluded overly violent moves and any sequences that look staged or have choreographed feel to it. Different action style was individually designed for each character. From the action scene at the Busan Port; the sequence in the confined space of a garage; the roof top chase scene to the large scale car chase scene in the capital s busiest district of Myeong-dong, the diverse action sequences will keep the audience at the edge of 7
their seats, sometimes bring laughter, and captures the exploding, intense emotions of the characters. The intensity of the action sequences builds up through the movie until it reaches the climax where the two main characters engage in an all-out hand-to-hand combat which will bring a thrilling buzz to the viewers. 8
CHARACTERS & CAST 1 SEO Do-cheolㅣElite detective from the major crimes squad A veteran cop from the major crimes unit with a natural instinct for detecting criminals. The hotblooded detective stops at nothing to see justice get done. While investigating a case involving a truck driver that he came across through work, he suspects the tyrannical heir to a megacorporation, CHO Tae-oh, is behind it. SEO pursues the case despite various attempts to sabotage his investigation, from inside and outside the force. HWANG Jung-min Since working with Director RYOO on THE UNJUST in 2010, HWANG added a number of important movies to his filmography. He played the hard-edged gang boss who has a strong brotherly love for his men in NEW WORLD; he transformed himself into the nation s father in last year s massive box-office hit family drama, ODE TO MY FATHER, re-establishing his status as one of the country s most representative actors. Through his vastly versatile filmography, HWANG has manifested an enormous acting talent. In VETERAN, HWANG transforms himself once again as a major crimes detective, SEO Do-cheol. SEO s unpredictable and fiery side resembles me as a person. It made it a lot of fun to play this character, said the veteran actor. Selected Filmography ODE TO MY FATHER (2014), MAN IN LOVE (2014), FISTS OF LEGEND (2013), IN MY END IS MY BEGINNING (2013), NEW WORLD (2013), DANCING QUEEN (2012), MOBY DICK (2011), THE UNJUST (2010) BLADES OF BLOOD (2010), FIVE SENSES OF EROS (2009), PRIVATE EYE (2009), THE MAN WHO WAS SUPERMAN (2008), ELEVENTH MOTHER (2007), HAPPINESS (2007), BLACK HOUSE (2007), BLOODY TIE (2006), ALL FOR LOVE (2005), YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE (2005), HEAVEN S SOLDIERS (2005), A BITTERSWEET LIFE (2005), THIS CHARMING GIRL (2004), THE WOLF RETURNS (2004), A GOOD LAWYER S WIFE (2003), YMCA BASEBALL TEAM (2002), ROAD MOVIE (2002), WAIKIKI BROTHERS (2001) 9
CHARACTERS & CAST 2 CHO Tae-ohㅣHeir to a multi-billion dollar corporation with total disregard for others Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, CHO has limitless wealth and power at his disposal. He is protected by an army of legal counsels, body guards and troubleshooters to pick up after his mess. He can t stand anything that even mildly irritates him. Animosity quickly arises between him and Detective SEO at their first meeting, when SEO expresses displeasure at CHO s rude behavior. But as always, CHO pulls away disguising his rage behind a smile. YOO Ah-in YOO has portrayed various facets of youth in the modern Korean society, ranging from the troubled high school kid to a genius pianist who gets entangled in a risky love affair with his professor s wife 20 years older than him. In VETERAN, YOO plays the villain for the first time. Working opposite the veteran actor, HWANG Jung-min, YOO successfully manifests the cold, suppressed rage under a smiling façade and once again grabs the audience s attention. Having worked with veteran actors like KIM Yoon-suk in PUNCH and KIM Hee-ae in SECRET LOVE AFFAIR, this solid actor gives a stable performance and create an incredible synergy with his co-star. I thought it might be a risk but I had the desire to perform a villain character. I wanted portray a real, cold villain who has complete disregard for others, said YOO. Selected Filmography THREAD OF LIES (2014), TOUGH AS IRON (2013), PUNCH (2011), SKY AND OCEAN (2009), ANTIQUE (2008), SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET (2007), BOYS OF TOMORROW (2006) 10
CHARACTERS & CAST 3 CHOI Dae-woong ㅣ Tae-oh s right-hand man and troubleshooter CHOI takes care of every aspect Tae-oh s life, from building corporate strategies to his personal problems. Growing up together, it has always been CHOI s responsibility to clean up after Tae-oh s mess. When Detective SEO starts digging into the case involving Tae-oh which CHOI initially believed he could cover up easily, the matter gets out of control and CHOI is forced to come up with another plan to sort out the problem. YOO Hae-jin YOO has worked prolifically across wide-ranging genres of film and played numerous quirky and comical characters. His extensive filmography manifests his versatility as an actor. His recent appearance in the popular television reality show which featured him and his colleague, CHA Seung-won, adapting to a country living in a remote island village, has given him a new personable public image. YOO returns to the silver screen with VETERAN playing the villainous young tyrant s pawn, CHOI. Another villain in the film, the character of SVP CHOI really came alive through YOO Hae-jin s superb performance and I m very pleased with it, praised the director. Selected Filmography MINORITY OPINION (2015), THE CLASSIFIED FILE (2015), TAZZA: THE HIDDEN CARD (2014), THE PIRATES (2014), OBSESSED (2014), THE FLU (2013), THE SPIES (2012), MISS CONSPIRATOR (2012), IN LOVE AND WAR (2011), THE UNJUST (2010), MOSS (2010), JEON WOO-CHI: THE TAOIST WIZARD (2009), TRUCK (2008), PUBLIC ENEMY RETURNS (2008), MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: KIDNAPPING GRANNY K (2007), SMALL TOWN RIVALS (2007), TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS (2006), OVER THE BORDER (2006), KING AND THE CLOWN (2005), BLOOD RAIN (2005), HI! DHARMA 2: SHOWDOWN IN SEOUL (2004), ICE RAIN (2004), THE COAST GUARD (2002), JAIL BREAKERS (2002), BREAK OUT (2002), PUBLIC ENEMY (2002), MUSA THE WARRIOR (2001), KICK THE MOON (2001) 11
CHARACTERS & CAST 4 Chief OH ㅣ Head of the Major Crimes at Seoul Met Police The veteran major crimes chief is the glue that holds the team of all-different, hot-tempered detectives together. With leadership stemming from 20 years experiece in the force, Chief OH successfully leads his team to be the nation s top crime busters. Just when the squad is awaiting promotion, Detective SEO starts pokes around the multi-billion dollar corporation s heir. Nevertheless, OH stands by his men as always. OH Dal-su OH starred in a number of immensely successful Korean movies that have entered the socalled 10 million admissions club, such as THE THIEVES, THE ATTORNEY, MIRACLE IN CELL NO.7 to ODE TO MY FATHER. Subsequently, he became the first Korean actor ever to have appeared in films whose accumulated total admission number surpasses 100 million mark. He played some of the most memorable and odd characters in Korean films, making him the most recognised face to the fans of Korean films domestic and aboard. In VETERAN, OH plays the brusque but warm-hearted and thoughful Chief OH who heads the major crimes squad. Following last year s biggest hit movie, ODE TO MY FATHER, OH pairs up once again with HWANG Jung-min and shows off their infallible on-screen chemistry. Like Director RYOO puts it, there is no alternative for Chief OH s character. OH Dal-su truly breathes life into this character with charms that are uniquely his. Selected Filmography DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE LOST ISLAND (2015), ODE TO MY FATHER (2014), SLOW VIDEO (2014), THE PIRATES (2014), THE ATTORNEY (2013), MY RATIMA (2013), MY PAPAROTTI (2013), MIRACLE IN CELL NO. 7 (2013), CODENAME: JACKAL (2012), THE UGLY DUCKLING (2012), TRAFFICKERS (2012), SOAR INTO THE SUN (2012), THE THIEVES (2012), HINDSIGHT (2011), HEAD (2011), LATE BLOSSOM (2011), FOXY FESTIVAL (2010), TROUBLESHOOTER (2010), THE SERVANT (2010), THIRST (2009), PRIVATE EYE (2009), THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD (2008), A TALE OF LEGENDARY LIBIDO (2008), THE SHOW MUST GO ON (2007), PROJECT MAKEOVER (2007), I M A CYBORG, BUT THAT S OK (2006), ONCE IN A SUMMER (2006), DRIVING WITH MY WIFE S LOVER (2006), THREE FELLAS (2006), A BLOODY ARIA (2006), THE HOST (2006), FORBIDDEN QUEST (2006), SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE (2005), A BITTERSWEET LIFE (2005), CRYING FIST (2005), MAPADO: ISLAND OF FORTUNES (2005), WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF MAN (2004), THE PRESIDENT S BARBER (2004), OLDBOY (2003) 12
CREDITS CJ ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS FILMMAKERS R&K PRODUCTION A RYOO SEUNG-WAN PICTURE HWANG JUNG-MIN VETERAN YOO AH-IN YOO HAE-JIN OH DAL-SU JANG YOON-JU STUNT DIRECTED BY JUNG DOO-HONG (S.A.S.) VFX SUPERVISED BY KIM JOON-HYUNG (4th Creative Party) SPECIAL EFFECTS BY KIM TAE-EUI (DEMOLITION) PRODUCTION DESIGNED BY JO HWA-SUNG COSTUME DESIGNED BY CHO SANG-KYUNG MAKE UP AND HAIR BY KIM HYUN-JUNG SOUND RECORDED BY JUNG GUN SOUND SUPERVISED BY KIM CHANG-SUB EDITED BY KIM SANG-BEOM KIM JAE-BUM MUSIC BY BANG JOON-SEOK CINEMATOGRAPHY BY CHOI YOUNG-HWAN LIGHTING BY KIM HO-SEONG EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEONG TAE-SUNG CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICHELLE KWON PRODUCER CHO SUNG-MIN CO-PRODUCED BY KIM JEONG-MIN (FILM K) PRODUCED BY KANG HYE-JUNG WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY RYOO SEUNG-WAN 13
PRODUCTION COMPANY UBU Film 3rd fl. Daeyang Bldg, Nonhyun-ro 72 Gil 21, Gangnam-gu Seoul, 135-928 Korea WORLD SALES INFORMATION CJ Entertainment 17 th Fl. CJ E&M Center, 66 Sangamsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 121-904 Korea International Sales Yoonhee CHOI SVP, Intl. Sales yoonheec@cj.net Genie LEE VP, Intl. Sales TV, New Media genie@cj.net (Worldwide) Asia (Thailand, Philippines, Mongolia, Malaysia, Singapore, India) Justin KIM Director, Intl. Sales Europe (expt. Eastern justinkim@cj.net Europe), Asia (HK, Taiwan), Oceania, Latin America Eunji KIM Intl. Sales North America, Eastern Europe, Asia (Japan, Middle East), CIS, Africa eunjikim1121@cj.net International Marketing & Festivals Hawon KIM SVP, Intl. Marketing & hawon@cj.net Festivals James SEO Intl. Marketing World Wide cosmoholic@cj.net Andini Intl. PR & Research andini7@cj.net Hanbit CHO Intl. Festivals & Promotions hb_cho@cj.net 14