Kwon Sang-woo, Hitman? Heartman! “I Start Every Morning With ‘Lover’”

[Financial News] Actor Kwon Sang-woo and director Choi Won-sub, the hit comedy duo behind the successful Hitman series, are kicking off the New Year at the box office with their new film Heartman.
On the 12th, according to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, Heartman rose to No. 1 in advance reservations among Korean films, overtaking Once We Were Us, which has surpassed 1 million viewers. Heartman is a romantic comedy about Seung-min, a divorced man who goes all out not to lose his first love (Moon Chae-won) after meeting her again.
Kwon Sang-woo plays Seung-min, who was the vocalist of a college band called Ambulance but now runs a musical instrument shop. The film not only depicts Seung-min in his twenties, but also reflects a slice of Kwon Sang-woo’s own youth.
At a press conference for Heartman held on the 8th at the Lotte Cinema World Tower branch in Songpa District, Seoul, Kwon shared the story behind “Lover,” the classic hit by rock band Eve that he sings in an early concert scene in the film.
He said, “Before my debut, it was the song I would sing at karaoke whenever things got exciting,” adding, “I recommended it to the director. I never imagined I would end up singing that song in a movie.” He went on, “I love and feel so excited about this film that I start my day by blasting ‘Lover’ as soon as I wake up.”
Kwon Sang-woo and Choi Won-sub previously worked together on Hitman and Hitman 2, drawing a combined audience of 5 million and proving their box-office chemistry.
Director Choi said that day, “With Heartman, it’s crucial to capture the rhythm and tone of the comedy with precision,” and added, “When I thought about an actor who could embody both the overall mood of the film and the character of Seung-min, Kwon Sang-woo was the only one who came to mind,” expressing his trust in the actor.
When Hitman 2 was released, Kwon made headlines by dropping to his knees in front of the audience during a stage greeting event to plead for their interest. Recalling that moment, he said, “It was something that came out naturally because I wanted to convey my sincerity,” and added, “If it helps the movie’s success, I could do it ten more times.”
He also hinted that he is planning another unique stage-greeting performance ahead of this release.
Heartman is a film in which Kwon Sang-woo’s signature cheerfulness, warmth, and witty emotional control blend seamlessly with the overall tone. Park Ji-hwan of The Outlaws delivers a softer, more gentle performance, and the discovery of a new child actor also stands out. It is a familiar, easygoing, and lighthearted piece of entertainment. The late music director Bang Jun-seok worked on the film, which is set to open on the 14th.
Meanwhile, Project Y, starring same-age actresses Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, will be released on the 21st. The crime action film follows a series of incidents that unfold as characters steal cash and gold bars in an attempt to escape rock-bottom reality, and is notable for reconstructing a traditionally male-centered genre around female characters.
Led by the unrestrained action performances of Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, along with a striking image transformation by musical actress Jung Young-joo as a killer, the film is driven by its female cast. However, despite the freshness of the casting, the harsh lives steeped in constant alcohol and drugs and the excessive level of violence may leave some viewers uncomfortable. The film is directed by Lee Hwan, an actor-turned-filmmaker known for Park Hwa-Young and Young Adult Matters. It drew attention after being invited to the Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) last year.


jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter