CHIEFS OF NAMSAN: Politically Charged 70s Thriller From ‘Inside Man’ Director Now Filming
A recent report from KoBiz notes the current production of political thriller, Chiefs Of Namsan, reuniting respective Inside Man star and director Lee Byung-hun and Woo Min-ho. Chiefs Of Namsan is based on the true story centered on the activity of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), and the period leading up to President Park Chung-hee’ assassination in the 1970s.
Several factors were altered for the film including character names; Lee is portraying Kim Kyu-pyung – derived from that of ex-KCIA chief Kim Jae-gyu who would later be known as President Park’s assassin. The Witness star Lee Sung-min will play President Park, and with Steel Rain actor Kwak Do-won joins in as Park Yong-gak – derived from that of ex-KCIA head Kim Hyung-wook.
Rounding out the cast are actor Lee Hee-jun and actress Kim So-jin, both who appear with Sung-min in Woo’s upcoming crime drama, The Drug King, starring Song Kang-ho and Bae Doo-na. Filming is expected to continue through the new year while Woo, in parallel, plots his PR involvement with The Drug King which releases on December 19.
Byung-hun also happens to be best known, among a plethora of roles in hit films he’s become known for, as white ninja Storm Shadow – relative archnemesis to protagonist Snake Eyes in Paramount’s G.I. Joe film franchise. I think it’s worth pointing out following Robert Schwentke’s attachment to direct the Snake Eyes spin-off on the count that maybe Lee would reprise his character if so chooses.
Thoughts? What say you? Comment below!
Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.
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