Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee's 'Intern' tops Korean presales two weeks before release
The Korean remake of Nancy Meyers' 2015 film hit #1 in domestic advance bookings on Sept 3. Meyers herself praised both leads ahead of the Sept 16 opening.
Presales, two weeks out
Intern, the Korean remake of Nancy Meyers' 2015 film, claimed the top spot in Korean film advance booking rate as of 7:11 AM on September 3. Two weeks until domestic release on September 16. It beat Assassin(s) and Bigwang to lead the Korean film chart, sitting second overall behind Odyssey.
The promotional push is working. The first and second trailers combined for over 20 million views. Choi Min-sik appeared on YouTube channel Yojeong Jaehyung—1.23 million views in four days. Han So-hee's web entertainment segment Charin Geon Jwipbuldo Eopjiman passed 6.9 million views in six days.
What the film is
Choi Min-sik plays Giho, a 37-year career silver intern. Han So-hee plays Sunwoo, a workaholic CEO. The film adapts the original's premise to Korean office culture and sensibility.
Meyers, who wrote and directed the original, has been vocal about the casting. On Choi Min-sik: "I was genuinely delighted to hear that Korea's representative master actor Choi Min-sik was cast. I am confident he will deliver a depth, dignity, and cheerfulness different from what Robert De Niro showed."
On Han So-hee: "She will attractively and perfectly portray the image of a confident, energetic modern leader. I'm already curious about the special synergy the two great actors will create on set."
Meyers also reflected on the source material itself. The story "originated from a personal wish that I had a warm supporter who quietly supported me in my youth." She called it "thrilling and meaningful as a creator" that the narrative resonates across different cultural spheres.
Asia rollout
Following the Korean domestic opening, Intern is set for a simultaneous large-scale release across nine Asian markets on October 16: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Kurt Lieder, Warner Bros. Asia-Pacific theatrical distribution director, said the project is "meaningful" as a reinterpretation of "a masterpiece IP verified in the global market" through Korea's originality and sensibility. The film "will deliver lasting impressions to fans throughout Korea and Asia."
(Meyers praising the leads before she's even seen the cut is a flex, honestly.)
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