[INTERVIEW] Song Kang-ho hopes to offer cinematic originality with 'Cobweb’

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Tue, September 26, 2023 | 05:38

Films

INTERVIEWSong Kang-ho hopes to offer cinematic originality with 'Cobweb'

Posted : 2023-09-19 10:17

Updated : 2023-09-20 09:51

Actor Song Kang-ho plays the role of a film director in the new comedy film “Cobweb.” Courtesy of Barunson E&A

By Lee Gyu-lee

Versatile actor Song Kang-ho’s passion and love for cinema is evident from his prolific filmography across genres, taking on roles from a ruthless drug dealer in “The Drug King” (2018) to a pitiful patriarch in “Parasite” (2019).

Actor Song Kang-ho / Courtesy of Barunson E&A

This time, Song hopes to share with the audience his passion and perspective on the cinema with an experimental comedy “Cobweb.”

The upcoming film, set to hit the theaters on Sept. 27, follows the life of Kim Yeol, a struggling film director from the 1970s who has failed to make any further success after launching his career with a hit debut film. While working on his latest film, he dreams about a new ending and decides to re-shoot the final part of the film.

Convinced that he can make a masterpiece with the new ending, he sets out on misadventure and juggles through the actors’ complaints, government censorship reviews, and pressure from the production company to complete the film.

"Cobweb," which premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, is led by real-life director Kim Jee-woon, whose previous work includes the 2008 action film, “The Good, the Bad, the Weird,”

“This is the type of film that you have not seen before. I’m curious to see how audiences, who are used to the familiar pattern of movies, will react to such an unfamiliar and somewhat unconventional film,” the actor said during an interview with The Korea Times, at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, Monday.

“In our opinion, we feel this film holds the true essence and color of cinema. And, nowadays, it’s rare to have such an experience. As people can access various content from streaming services or different channels without going to a physical theater, I feel that there will be people who will appreciate this originality and energy that only movies can offer.”

A scene from the film “Cobweb" / Courtesy of Barunson E&A

The film switches back and forth between the film’s “reality,” the chaotic process of filming the movie, and the black-and-white film inside the film, following the story of a vengeful woman.

The actor said although the experimental sequence and development of the film might not appeal to the audience at first glance, he felt it was meaningful to take part in such a progressive film.

“When I choose a project, I look for the director’s vision and how closely (the work) can communicate with the audience. The biggest thing is to find an aspect of this film that makes it take one step forward, rather than stagnating,” he said.

“The energy, expression, and satisfaction that only film can have are very precious and valuable. When I work on a film, I always think I should give it a try even though it might fail to see a success at the box office. There has been a series of making films inside the box (these days) and we tried to avoid that. And ‘Cobweb’ is the result of that.”

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr