[Dispatch=Reporter Lee Ajin] "It's a film where you can feel warmth in a corner of your heart." (Choi Min-sik)

The Hollywood film 'The Intern' has moved its stage to a 2026 Korean office. The warm sentiment of the original was preserved. On top of that, the reality of office workers living today was added.

The concerns of young people holding their ground in their respective positions were captured realistically. Through moments of anxiety, conflict, and relationships encountered within fierce company life, natural empathy is drawn out.

Alongside them is the advice of a silver intern who has lived life first. Though from different generations, they bond within the framework of the company. In the process, they convey warm comfort and resonance.

Director Kim Doyoung said, "I wanted to create characters more grounded than the original," and explained, "The central story is the same as the original, but the details are different. I focused on the process of MZ employees and older generations building friendship with each other."

The 'Intern' side held a press screening and press conference on the 4th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Kim, Choi Min-sik, Han Sohee, Jun Han, and Ryu Hyeyoung attended.

'The Intern' is an office comedy. It depicts the story that unfolds when silver intern Kim Ki-ho (Choi Min-sik) joins the company of female CEO Lee Sunoo (Han Sohee), who has emerged as a dark horse in the fashion industry.

Choi Min-sik plays Kim Ki-ho. A veteran with 37 years of work experience. After joining a company full of young employees, he is not readily recognized at first. However, through know-how accumulated from long experience, he gradually earns the trust of his colleagues.

A unique Korean version setting was added. He shares trendy expressions with MZ employees and even offers relationship counseling to young staff members. Choi Min-sik said, "Rather than thinking I should surpass the original, I approached it with the heart of bringing out our own style well."

Kim Ki-ho is also a character who leads the film's warm message. Choi Min-sik said, "I kept wondering what kind of good adult this generation wants," and added, "I thought it might be about becoming a good person through continuous regret and reflection."

Han Sohee plays Lee Sunoo. She is the representative of the fashion company 'Woo22,' which surpassed 10 billion won in sales three years after launch. With great passion and sense of responsibility toward work, she also has a sensitive and perfectionist side.

She was given a more complex backstory than the original. With a vice president trying to surpass her and a shaky marital relationship, she faces multiple crises from inside and out. Outwardly a successful CEO, she harbors deep anxiety inside.

Han Sohee said, "Since the original was so popular, I started with some burden at first," but added, "While filming, that worry disappeared. I trusted and followed the colors of the characters we unfolded in our own way."

She particularly focused on relationships between characters. She said, "Ultimately, it's a film about what happens between people," and explained, "I endlessly researched and pondered how Sunoo relates with each individual character."

Jun Han plays Vice President Gu Young-hwan of Woo22. He leads the company from Sunoo's closest position, but internally harbors ambition to exit the company.

He is a character not in the original. As such, the actor's interpretation was important. Jun Han said, "I focused most on the fact that he is Sunoo's closest colleague and plays a role in helping her growth."

He also expressed the character's duality finely. He said, "I pondered how he could remain a good memory for Sunoo while simultaneously becoming something from the past that should be abandoned. Ultimately, I tried to express him as a character who helps Sunoo grow in whatever way."

Ryu Hyeyoung plays Choi Min-ah. She is the head of the management support team at Woo22. While supporting Sunoo, she also serves as the mentor for new intern Ki-ho. She constantly uses AI and represents the young office worker generation in the film.

She said, "I acted while reviving the emotions I experienced during my 20s as a new graduate in society," and added, "To immerse myself in the character, I even purchased a paid version of AI to have more in-depth conversations."

The actors also introduced memorable scenes each picked. Choi Min-sik mentioned Han Sohee's emotional acting. He said, "In the latter half, there's a scene where Sunoo opens up her worries to Ki-ho. Despite having a lot of dialogue, her emotional line doesn't waver," he praised.

Han Sohee picked the scene where Ki-ho looks at Woo22 at the end. She said, "It was the part with the greatest resonance," and added, "I felt that part was a picture unique to our film that couldn't be seen in the original."

She also picked a scene where Woo22 employees enjoy DJing together at the flagship store. At the moment the company falls into crisis, employees launch a secret operation under the guise of a DJing party. Han Sohee recalled, "It was a moment showing the best teamwork, and it was thrilling even while filming."

Finally, Han Sohee said, "Since it's an office film, it seems like the kind that could suddenly come to mind on the commute," and wished, "I hope it becomes a warm source of motivation for everyone's commute."

Ryu Hyeyoung exclaimed, "We made a film where old-and-cool senior Choi Min-sik and young-and-cool us can laugh together," and added, "I hope you'll enjoy it with your families during Chuseok."

<Photo by Reporter Song Hyojin>