Choi Yebin, Kim Youngjae, Kwon Heesong, Lee Joongok, 'Hurdle' Press Screening Successfully Completed!

The film 〈Hurdle〉 is set to be released on December 3rd, and the press/distribution screening and press conference were successfully held with the participation of director Han Sangwook, who wrote and directed the film, and lead actors Choi Yebin, Kim Youngjae, Kwon Heesong, and Lee Joongok. The film 〈Hurdle〉 tells the story of high school hurdle athlete 'Seoyeon' (Choi Yebin), who dreams of joining the Hurdle professional team, as she faces the harsh reality of becoming the only guardian of her father (Kim Youngjae), who suddenly collapses due to a stroke. The press/distribution screening of 〈Hurdle〉 took place on November 18th (Tuesday) at 2 PM at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall. 〈Hurdle〉 is the winner of the Korean Film Council's screenplay competition and is the feature debut of director Han Sangwook, who has gained experience in various commercial film settings.

After the press/distribution screening, director Han Sangwook expressed his deep affection for the work, stating, "I worked in the production part of commercial films for about 10 years, and at some point, I wanted to make a film about the story I wanted to tell. That story is exactly what this 〈Hurdle〉 is about."

Regarding the reason for addressing the reality of 'family caregiving youth' in his debut work, he shared, "When I first learned about 'family caregiving youth' in 2022, I was shocked. I was surprised that there are many teenagers and young adults around us who care for family or acquaintances, and that there was no term to express them at that time. I wanted to raise awareness about this reality." He continued, "As I researched, I found that not only the difficulties of caregiving but also issues of livelihood, physical pain, and mental suffering were significant, along with many obstacles such as uncertainty about friendships and the future. I thought it would be good to intuitively show that reality through the hurdles on the track, which is also the title and main theme of the film, 'Hurdle.'"

Actress Choi Yebin, who gained public love through the drama series [Penthouse], plays the role of 'Seoyeon,' a girl who becomes the guardian of her guardian. She showcased delicate emotional acting and performed hurdle scenes without a stunt double, proving her status as a super rookie in the Korean film industry. Choi Yebin stated, "When I first read the script, I thought it was too harsh because usually, there is a place to breathe, but this film has none of that. However, upon reflection, I thought this might be reality. While preparing for the work and researching the reality of 'family caregiving youth,' I resonated with the film's message and wanted to be a part of a film with such a good message." She shared her experience of playing the promising hurdle athlete and overcoming hurdles without a stunt double, saying, "Hurdles are a technical event in athletics, making it difficult to master in a short time, but I had fun training with my coach and Heesong (Kwon Heesong, who plays 'Minjeong')." She also reflected on her role as the protagonist 'Seoyeon,' stating, "Since she is a character with a very deep emotional range, I put a lot of thought into it before filming and made efforts during the shoot."

Actor Kim Youngjae, who played the role of 'Moonseok,' a father who can only rely on his daughter, has delivered impressive performances in dramas such as [Stranger 2] and [The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate]. Kim Youngjae shared, "When I first received the script, I felt a burden. It was painful to read the script because there were so many things I couldn't do for my daughter 'Seoyeon.' I was also afraid of whether I could pull it off. However, ultimately, this film is a story about family and a story about a father and daughter. Since I am also a father in a family, I thought it could be a story about me and my surroundings, and I wanted to capture that story, which is why I decided to participate."

Newcomer Kwon Heesong, who made her screen debut through 〈Hurdle〉, plays 'Minjeong,' Seoyeon's best friend and rival, delivering a brilliant performance that belies her debut. Kwon Heesong stated, "When I received the script, I thought the reason for 'Minjeong's' existence in the work was very clear. Watching the situations that 'Seoyeon' faces due to 'Minjeong's' choices and the choices that 'Seoyeon' makes as a result, I felt that the characters were vividly alive and present in the film. I hope that the story in the film feels close to the audience, not distant."

Scene-stealer Lee Joongok, with his unique presence, added depth to the film as 'Director Park,' the coach of the track team that 'Seoyeon' and 'Minjeong' belong to. Lee Joongok shared, "Before choosing this film, I thought a lot about the positive role of an actor. I wanted to be an actor who could capture the dark sides of society through acting, and thinking about the message of this film, I just wanted to do it." He conveyed a message to the audience, saying, "I hope this film becomes a reminder not to forget the realities we know or do not know, which may be things we have experienced directly or indirectly." The film 〈Hurdle〉, which successfully completed its press/distribution screening, will be available in theaters nationwide on December 3rd.