[Dispatch=Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] The ocean was Moana's from the beginning. The moment the waves in animation took on the weight of live-action, the story was finally complete. Newcomer actress Catherine Laga'aia achieved high synchronization as if she had emerged through the animation. Director Thomas Kail stood up from his seat the moment he saw her audition tape. Here, an actor who understands 'Maui' best has joined. Dwayne Johnson expressed Maui directly with his body following his voice acting. Disney unfolds the answer it has long prepared on screen. The film 'Moana' held a video press conference with domestic media on the 29th. Dwayne Johnson, Catherine Laga'aia, and director Thomas Kail were present. Catherine Laga'aia, who acted in 'Moana', greeted everyone saying, "This is a film we prepared hard for over a long time. I'm happy to finally show you a work I take great pride in." 'Moana' is a live-action adaptation of the animated film of the same name presented by Disney in 2016. It depicts Moana's journey with the legendary hero Maui to save an island cursed by a spell. Newcomer actress Catherine Laga'aia, of Samoan descent, took on the role of Moana finding her destiny. She was cast as Moana after overcoming competition from as many as 32,000 applicants. The actress has a deep connection with the character. She is of Samoan descent, and both her grandparents are from Savai'i in the South Pacific and the Samoan archipelago, which served as the background for 'Moana'. Laga'aia said, "I want to pay tribute to the 2016 'Moana'. I grew up watching that character, and I grew up watching Moana's boldness, bravery, and curiosity." Director Thomas Kail recalled why he chose Laga'aia, saying, "She sent an audition tape of the song 'How Far I'll Go' and acting, and that image is still vivid to me." He continued, "She was skilled in storytelling. I could feel that she understood Moana's emotions, her heart's desire to go beyond the reef, and was expressing it. I stood up right then and there and said I found her." Above all, power that would not be overshadowed by Dwayne Johnson's aura was necessary. The director said, "The moment Laga'aia walked into the casting room, I nodded. She was someone who could match her presence with Dwayne Johnson." Catherine Laga'aia described that power as 'empathy'. "What Moana is going through deeply resonated with me. I empathized with her determination to take on challenges and her underlying anxiety," she said. "When I left home to play 'Moana' and felt anxious, my mother instilled confidence in me. That was very similar to a scene in the movie. I tried to express those emotions," Laga'aia said. Dwayne Johnson is the actor who has been with 'Moana' the longest in its history. Following his voice acting for Maui, he now appears as the legendary hero himself. What differentiation did animation and live-action bring? Dwayne Johnson said, "Maui is a confident and superpowered charming character, but since it's being acted by a person and Maui's essence is human, I wanted to show a more human essence," he emphasized. He focused on Maui's vulnerability in his performance. "Although Maui expresses masculinity, I wanted to show that he also has vulnerabilities," he explained. "Due to Moana's influence, Maui honestly opens up about his wounds. Moana is a special character who not only looks at Maui's appearance but can empathize with his inner self. The chemistry between Moana and Maui is well revealed in the film," Dwayne Johnson said. At the same time, he is a reliable supporter. Dwayne Johnson added, "Maui supports and looks after Moana so she can pursue her dreams. I think that's when a new world opens up for Maui." Director Thomas Kail, who held the megaphone, won the 70th Tony Award for the musical 'Hamilton'. He came from Broadway and undertook his first film direction this time. He made the set a place to learn and communicate together. Thomas Kail said, "My role was simple. It was to communicate so that the actors and staff could understand what the direction and destination were, and to lead." "I thought the experience I built on stage would be of great help to film as well. I acknowledged what I didn't know and tried to learn. I told Catherine, 'This is my first time too, so if there's anything you don't know, tell me without hesitation and let's learn together,'" Thomas Kail said. The important message of this film is empathy. The director said, "It touches on emotions that anyone can empathize with—people who have left home, people who can no longer see loved ones." He continued, "When Moana leaves and her grandmother says 'I'll be with you wherever you go,' I felt my heart swell. Thanks to that, just as Moana took courage and took on new challenges, I wanted to make a film that could be a companion to everyone." Catherine Laga'aia also said, "The message we want to convey is contained in Moana's actions. When Moana makes up her mind and ventures beyond the reef. Please feel together Moana's journey of achieving the impossible." Finally, Dwayne Johnson sent a message to Korean audiences. "It will be an amazing and grand film," he said, "and there are various messages the film conveys. You will be swept up in waves of emotion," he was confident. He added, "I don't think Korean culture and Polynesian culture are different. I think those values are shared in Korea as well. Once you watch it, you'll want to watch it again." Meanwhile, 'Moana' is scheduled to open next month on the 8th.