Herald Pop | 2017.02.22 | Translated by qoxie





Actress Ahn Sohee (24) talked about working with big sunbaes Lee Byung-Hun & Gong Hyo-Jin.

On February 22 morning, Ahn Sohee sat for a publicity interview for her film Single Rider (directed by Lee Joo-Young / produced by Perfect Storm Film) in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. In the movie, Ahn Sohee plays Ji-Na, a student who dreamed to return to Korea after a working holiday in Australia.

Ahn Sohee, who watched the complete cut at the recent preview screening, said: “It’s very hard to view objectively. I’m still getting used to it. So many unsatisfactory parts.”

She added: “We stayed in Australia for a month. It felt both short & long, filming the difficult scenes together with Lee Byung-Hun & Gong Hyo-Jin. But it was productive, so I’m content.”

Single Rider is Ahn Sohee’s comeback film after Train To Busan, which drew ten million viewers last year. Working with Lee Byung-Hun & Gong Hyo-Jin also became a talking point. For a screen newcomer like her, it was a lucky break. Ahn Sohee said: “I learned so much. I learned how to work with my big sunbaes. I learned a lot about filming overseas. I went there, & came back more thoughtful as an actor. The trip allowed me to grow as a person.”

Lee Byung-Hun had praised Ahn Sohee: “She was exceptionally enthusiastic.” Ahn Sohee saw that interview. She said: “I’m thrilled with what he said. I’m touched, & very grateful to him. I was so nervous when the filming started. Lee Byung-Hun is a big sunbae, & a perfectionist to boot. I prepared very hard. I even thought ‘Can I play this character?’”

She added appreciatively: “My sunbaes took time to look after me, so I tried to be more thorough. When they asked me something, I checked with them if there was a problem. I was able to nail down my character, thanks to my sunbaes’ help.”

Lee Byung-Hun wasn’t the only kindhearted sunbae. The ubiquitous Gong Hyo-Jin also watched over Ahn Sohee. She said: “I didn’t share any scenes with Gong Hyo-Jin, but we spent lots of time together in Australia. Ultimately, we are very likeminded girls. Gong Hyo-Jin was very considerate. She suggested we have meals together. We also went shopping together.”

Lee Byung-Hun & Gong Hyo-Jin also won Ahn Sohee’s heart. She said: “They didn’t have 'sunbae-nim” airs when they approached me. I was initially fretting about everything, so it was surprising when Lee Byung-Hun praised me. She laughed heartily: “That was so nice. It made me want to work harder & do better.”

Single Rider depicts how a fund manager, whose stable life was derailed by bad debts, discovered a shocking truth after visiting his family in Australia. It is Warner Bros Korea’s second film after The Age Of Shadows, & will be released on February 22.