'Overseas Koreans' Director Lee Sang-il, 'National Treasure' is a story about bloodlines and humans from outside... It overlaps with my roots

Director Lee Sang-il revealed that the theme of the film 〈National Treasure〉 is connected to his identity.

The film 〈National Treasure〉 is set to be released on the 19th and held a press screening and a press conference at CGV Yongsan I-Park on the afternoon of the 13th. Director Lee Sang-il, an overseas Korean, came to Korea to attend the press conference in conjunction with the Korean release of 〈National Treasure〉.

The film 〈National Treasure〉 depicts the once-in-a-lifetime story of two men who had to surpass each other to reach the level of a national treasure, having surpassed 10 million viewers in Japan, and setting records as the second highest-grossing live-action film in Japan, as well as the first Japanese film by a Korean director to reach 10 million viewers.

On this day, Director Lee Sang-il discussed the subject matter of 〈National Treasure〉 saying, "Korean people may feel a distance from Kabuki. However, the important elements in this film are the art that is inherited through bloodlines and lineage, and the fact that an outsider without blood ties enters a place that is inherited through bloodlines, and that these two characters develop together while conflicting and refining each other." He also stated, "I am a person whose roots are in Korea and I am Korean. Therefore, the concept of bloodlines and the idea of humans from outside, the cinematic structure of 〈National Treasure〉 overlaps with me," suggesting that Korean audiences will be able to relate to 〈National Treasure〉.

Director Lee Sang-il's new film 〈National Treasure〉 will be released on November 19 (Wednesday).