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!