The highly anticipated Korean adaptation of the hit Hollywood film 'The Intern' has officially kicked off production with an impressive cast lineup featuring acclaimed actors Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee. Warner Bros. Korea and Anthology Studios announced that filming began on Monday, marking a significant milestone for what promises to be one of Korea's most watched remakes of the year.
The Korean version, temporarily titled 'Intern,' reimagines the beloved 2015 original that starred Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. The localized adaptation follows the story of Seon-woo, portrayed by Han So-hee, who serves as the passionate CEO of a thriving fashion company. When she decides to hire retiree Gi-ho, played by Choi Min-sik, as an intern, his extensive life experience creates an unexpected and deeply meaningful workplace relationship that bridges generational gaps.
Choi Min-sik, widely regarded as one of South Korea's most distinguished actors, takes on the role of the retiree who embarks on an internship to begin a fresh chapter in his life. This casting choice is expected to showcase the veteran actor's irreplaceable screen presence and profound acting abilities, bringing depth and authenticity to the character's journey of reinvention and discovery.
Han So-hee will portray the charismatic CEO of a rapidly expanding fashion company who, despite her tremendous passion for her work, begins experiencing burnout as unexpected crises emerge from multiple directions. The character arc explores how Gi-ho's wisdom and life experience help fill the gaps in her professional and personal challenges, ultimately leading to a friendship that transcends generational boundaries and workplace hierarchies.
The project will be directed by Kim Do-young, who earned widespread critical acclaim for her sensitive and nuanced direction in the 2019 film 'Kim Ji Young: Born 1982.' Director Kim's impressive credentials include winning Best New Director awards at both the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards and Chunsa Film Art Awards in 2020, establishing her as a filmmaker capable of combining warm, empathetic storytelling with sharp, insightful social commentary.
The supporting cast includes talented actors Kim Kum-soon, Kim Jun-han, Ryu Hye-young, and Kim Yo-han, who will round out the ensemble and bring additional depth to the workplace dynamics and relationships explored in the film. This diverse cast is expected to deliver compelling performances that will resonate with audiences across different age groups and backgrounds.
According to the production companies, particular attention is being focused on the empathetic, cross-generational narrative that Director Kim will bring to life in this adaptation. Her proven ability to handle sensitive subject matter while maintaining both warmth and analytical depth has raised considerable anticipation for how she will interpret this beloved story for Korean audiences.
The film is scheduled for release sometime next year, though specific dates have not yet been announced. Given the star power of the cast and the proven track record of the source material, industry observers expect the Korean remake to generate significant interest both domestically and internationally when it hits theaters.
