[비즈한국] In December 2023, when the drama 'Gyeongseong Creature' was released in Japan, Japanese viewers began to stir. They had tuned in to watch lead actor Park Seo-jun, but were taken aback by the unexpected plot. Some even expressed doubts about why Park Seo-jun, who had risen to become a hot star across the Japanese archipelago through the drama 'Itaewon Class,' would choose to appear in such a production.
'Gyeongseong Creature' is set during the Japanese colonial period and centers on a story where a monstrous creature was behind the disappearances of women in Gyeongseong, and that this creature was created by the Japanese military. However, Japanese viewers found the idea that the Japanese military could have created such a creature unthinkable. Furthermore, they were shocked by the implication that the Japanese military had conducted human experiments.
While the creation of a monster might be fiction, the human experiments were not. A simple internet search easily reveals the reality of Unit 731. The younger generation in Japan, who were largely unaware of the atrocities committed by Unit 731—which are all too familiar to us—learned about them for the first time through this drama. Thanks to Park Seo-jun's participation, many young Japanese people naturally became aware of the fact that Japanese imperialism committed atrocities across East Asia through human experimentation.
'Gyeongseong Creature Season 2' was released in July 2024. This installment emphasized that imperialist conspiracies continued not only during the colonial period but also into the 21st century. In short, although 'Gyeongseong Creature' entered the Japanese market through American capital and distribution networks, it achieved a level of success in informing viewers about the truth of the colonial era that neither education nor politics had managed to accomplish.
This phenomenon continues with the movie 'Harbin.' 'Harbin' has been exported to 117 countries, including Japan. It is a remarkable feat that a film depicting the patriotic act of Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Ito Hirobumi—a figure revered in Japan—is being released there. The presence of Hallyu star Hyun Bin played a significant role in making this possible.
Hyun Bin solidified his position as a Hallyu star after the drama 'Crash Landing on You' gained massive popularity in Japan, and fans had been eagerly awaiting the release of 'Harbin' to see him. Japanese cinema operators could not ignore a film featuring a Hallyu star like him. If Japanese viewers watch this film, they will surely be able to recognize that the patriot Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Ito Hirobumi, is not the "terrorist" portrayed by Japanese imperialists or far-right groups.
Hyun Bin gained massive popularity and acclaim for his passionate performance as North Korean officer Ri Jeong-hyeok in 'Crash Landing on You.' At a time when North Korea’s image in Japan was not particularly positive, his performance had a significant effect on improving that image. In light of this, it appears that the movie 'Harbin' will also play a sufficient role in informing audiences about the truth regarding the patriot Ahn Jung-geun.
When asked if he felt any burden playing the role of Ahn Jung-geun as a Hallyu star, Hyun Bin replied firmly, "I didn't have even 1% of that kind of pressure." He added, "The reason I deliberated (on the role) was because of the stature of General Ahn Jung-geun. People around me seemed to worry about the connection to Japan more than I did. The movie itself covers a painful memory for our country, but it is a record that should not be forgotten. I think it is an honor to act as a figure who helped establish our country."
Despite this resolve and determination, there is a risk that it could negatively affect Hyun Bin's activities in Japan. Park Seo-jun also chose to appear in a creature feature based on historical facts rather than a romance, which would have been more popular in Japan. I hope we can offer more support and encouragement to actors who make such choices, risking potential losses or disadvantages. They should not be judged solely by audience numbers, viewership ratings, or global rankings.
Would Hallyu stars of the past have been able to willingly appear in a film like 'Harbin'? It is not an issue of the individual actors, but rather that the sentiments of the times and the media content landscape have changed. Now, dramas and films are released simultaneously in many countries through global streaming platforms. The media environment has diversified, creating conditions where business and historical truth-telling can be pursued simultaneously. As the cultural media content industry goes beyond historical facts to address the truth and integrate universal values of human coexistence, we need to provide our support and encouragement to the creators.
The author, Kim Heon-sik, has been exploring and navigating the forest of popular culture phenomena since his 20s, driven by the expectation that there is a way to make the world a better place through culture. He continues on the same path with the same belief even in the 21st century, where artificial intelligence and quantum computers are active.