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| ▲ This image of Korean filmmaker Ryu Seung-wan, director of crime action film "I, the Executioner (Veteran 2)," is provided by CJ ENM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- "I wanted to question whether the way we confront evil is truly just, rather than simply offering a thrilling resolution where the villain is defeated," said director Ryoo Seung-wan during an interview on the 11th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
Ryoo was speaking about his new film, "I, the Executioner (hereafter 'Veteran 2')," which is set to be released on September 13, just in time for the Chuseok holiday. The movie is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2015 hit Veteran, which surpassed 10 million viewers.
In Veteran 2, actor Hwang Jung-min reprises his role as the passionate detective Seo Do-cheol. However, the tone of the story is notably different from the first film. While the original provided a cathartic thrill as Seo relentlessly pursued a corrupt chaebol, the sequel asks whether the sense of justice in seeking to punish wrongdoers is always correct.
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| ▲ This still photo of film "I, the Executioner (Veteran 2)," provided by CJ ENM, shows its lead actor Hwang Jung-min. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Reflecting on the first movie, Ryoo explained, "Several incidents that made me angry served as the motivation behind Veteran. I wanted to experience the satisfaction of revenge, at least through film." He went on to say, "In the aftermath, I encountered cases where my initial anger toward someone later proved to be misplaced. Sometimes, the roles of victim and perpetrator were even reversed."
This experience led Ryoo to reexamine the concept of justice. "What I thought was the right form of justice may not have been so. Scratching that itch may feel good, but it might also be the wrong remedy," he said. "If you keep drinking soda for an upset stomach, it could harm you in the long run."
The increasingly complex nature of society, with its ambiguous villains and unclear moral lines, also influenced Ryoo's direction for Veteran 2. He mentioned a recent incident—the July traffic accident near Seoul City Hall that claimed nine lives—as an example. "From the victim's perspective, these incidents are like being struck by lightning. We tend to label whatever threatens us as evil, but can we truly define the essence of evil in a single word? That idea scares me," he confessed.
The nine-year gap between Veteran and its sequel can be attributed to Ryoo’s deepening philosophical questions about morality and justice. When Ryoo initially shared his vision for Veteran 2 with Hwang Jung-min, the actor reportedly asked, "Why take the harder route?"
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| ▲ Actor Jung Hae-in (L), filmmaker Ryu Seung-wan (C) and actor Hwang Jung-min pose for photos at the media conference for their latest action flick "I, the Executioner (Veteran 2)," held in Seoul on Aug. 20, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
As one of Korea's leading action filmmakers, Ryoo has an impressive filmography, including Smugglers (2023), Escape from Mogadishu (2021), The Battleship Island (2017), The Berlin File (2013), The Unjust (2010), and Crying Fist (2005). Despite his success, Veteran 2 is his first sequel. When asked why he chose Veteran for a sequel over his other films, Ryoo revealed, "The chemistry on set between the actors and staff in Veteran felt natural. It was the synergy of everyone involved that made me want to return to it." He added, "Many franchises succeed because of the strength of their protagonists. Veteran wouldn't have been possible without Seo Do-cheol, and I have a deep affection for that character."
Ryoo's dislike for repetition also influenced the new film's shift in tone. "Repeating the same thing is a dangerous choice," he said. "There is no such thing as an easy movie to make. Since it's difficult anyway, I wanted to at least try something different."
The action sequences in Veteran 2 are just as intense as those in the first film, with some viewers even commenting that the physicality of the scenes makes them feel the pain. Ryoo remarked, "If the audience can feel the pain behind the action rather than just enjoying the thrill, they'll better understand the characters' inner conflicts."
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| ▲ This still photo of film "I, the Executioner (Veteran 2)," provided by CJ ENM, shows its lead actor Jung Hae-in. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
A key addition to Veteran 2 is actor Jung Hae-in, who plays rookie detective Park Sun-woo, bringing a sense of tension to the film. To help alleviate Jung's nerves, Hwang Jung-min suggested a retreat in Gyeonggi Province, where actor Jo In-sung, who starred in Escape from Mogadishu, also joined them. Ryoo shared a story from that trip, expressing gratitude for how the group stayed up late, drinking and helping Jung feel more at ease.
When asked about the possibility of Veteran 3, Ryoo replied cautiously, "We need this film to do well before we can talk about that," but hinted that he has ideas for Seo Do-cheol's story to continue.
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| ▲ This still photo of film "I, the Executioner (Veteran 2)," provided by CJ ENM, shows its lead actors Hwang Jung-min (L) and Jung Hae-in. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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