K-Content News

Spy film 'Harbin' to premiere at Toronto Int'l festival

  SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- The Korean spy movie "Harbin," starring Hyun Bin, is set to premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival in September, the movie's distributor said Wednesday.

The espionage thriller has been officially invited to the festival, slated for Sept. 5-15, as part of the Gala Presentations, for its deep, beautiful portrayal of a historic Korean event, CJ ENM said.

The category honors high-profile feature films, often featuring international movie stars.

Set in 1909, the movie depicts the suspenseful pursuit between those heading to Harbin in northern China for a mission. Among them is renowned Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910), who shot and killed Ito Hirobumi, Japan's first prime minister and resident-general of Korea, at Harbin Station. Korea was under brutal Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.

Hyun Bin stars as Ahn Jung-geun, alongside Park Jung-min, Jeon Yeo-been, Jo Woo-jin, Yoo Jae-myung, Park Hoon and Lee Dong-wook.

It marks the latest feature by director Woo Min-ho, known for his sharp insight into historical and political themes in his previous work, like "The Man Standing Next" (2020) and "Inside Man" (2015).

Renowned cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, best known for his work on Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" (2019) and "Snowpiercer" (2013), has teamed up with the director on the project.

"Harbin" was shot in diverse locations across three countries: South Korea, Latvia and Mongolia.

The film is expected to hit local theaters in the second half, the distributor said.