Actor Ha Seok-jin shared his experience portraying Korea's fastest man in the upcoming running drama Full Sprint (Director Lee Seung-hoon).

Racing Against Time and Self

Full Sprint tells the story of Kang Gu-young (Ha Seok-jin), a top Korean sprinter striving to shave just 0.02 seconds off his 100m record to meet the world championship standard of 10.05 seconds. The film explores his solitary struggle, moments of defeat, and relentless pursuit of personal limits, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own "full sprint" in life.

Ha Seok-jin emphasized the physical and emotional immersion required for the role. "I had never run competitively before. At 42, I trained hard to become Gu-young. Every step in practice was a step toward becoming him," he said. He practiced alongside co-stars Lee Shin-young, Yoon Se-bin, and Lee Soon-won, experiencing first-hand the growth and camaraderie of athletes.

Commitment to Authenticity

Director Lee Seung-hoon drew inspiration from real-life sprinter Kim Kuk-young, who set the Korean 100m record at 10.07 seconds in 2017. Lee noted, "Watching a top athlete struggle over a tiny 0.02-second difference reminded me of moments in my own life when I was just a step short of a goal. I wanted to show that pursuing a dream itself is beautiful, even if success isn't guaranteed."

The cast engaged in rigorous training, including non-motorized treadmill sessions, competing against each other to match real sprinting speeds. Ha Seok-jin reflected, "There were moments when I felt the same frustration and exhilaration Gu-young experiences on the track. It helped me merge physically and mentally with the character."

Inspiring Viewers

Ha Seok-jin hopes audiences find motivation in the story. "Sometimes we question why we're doing something. Watching Gu-young's journey reminds us of why we started and encourages us to give our best step today," he said. Director Lee added, "Even for those who can't easily hit 10.05 seconds, striving with all your heart is beautiful. This film supports and cheers for everyone chasing their dreams."

Full Sprint premieres in theaters on September 10.