Director, actors behind Netflix Korea's 'Seoul Vibe' talk about the wild ride

Movies

Published: 23 Aug. 2022, 15:24 Updated: 23 Aug. 2022, 16:44

Director, actors behind Netflix Korea's 'Seoul Vibe' talk about the wild ride

The cast and crew of Netflix Korea's "Seoul Vibe" at Grand InterContinential Seoul Parnas, in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. From left, actors Lee Kyoo-hyung, Lee Ju-hyun, Moon So-ri, Ko Kyung-pyo, Ong Seong-wu, Yoo Ah-in and director Moon Hyeon-hyeong. [NEWS1]

Netflix Korea’s upcoming high-speed adventure film “Seoul Vibe” is gearing up to take its audiences on a thrill ride, ahead of its premiere on Friday.

“It’s an exhilarating, fun movie,” said the film's director Moon Hyeon-seong at Tuesday’s press conference. “It moves full-speed until the very end.”

“Seoul Vibe” is set in 1988, a year that holds cultural significance to Korea as it held its first Olympics that summer. According to Netflix, a team of young, ragtag drivers and mechanics set off on an undercover mission in the days leading up to the 1988 Seoul Olympics to dismantle a massive money-laundering ring in hopes of achieving the American Dream.

“The year 1988 was a year filled with both harmony and conflict for Korea,” said Moon. “With this background, our film relays young dreams and passion."

Actor Yoo Ah-in, who plays the leader of the gang, pointed out the certain American influences that young Koreans were receiving at this time, saying that his character Dong-wook holds some fantasies and idolization of the West.

“With these ideals, Dong-wook chases after his dreams with a fiery, youthful energy,” Yoo said.

The star-studded cast of “Seoul Vibe” is just as hip and thrilling as the plot.

Yoo’s character is the leader of the gang called Sanggye-dong Supreme Team, and he is also a racer.

“I actually didn’t know too much about cars before shooting the film,” he said. “I spent a lot of time on the racing circuit and inside racing cars to become more familiar with my role.”

Actor Ko Kyung-pyo also showed his affection for his role as a club DJ named Woo-sam in the new film, saying that he even bought a DJ set to practice at home.

“It’s fun actually, even though I don’t get to use it too much these days because I am busy,” he said.

Other members of Dong-wook’s crew are the genius mechanic and youngest member of the gang Joon-gi by singer-actor Ong Seong-wu; eldest member Bok-nam by actor Lee Kyoo-hyung; and motorbike rider Yoon-hee by actor Park Ju-hyun.

"We had a great time shooting the movie," said director Moon. "I hope that energy can be shared with the film's audience."

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]