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36 Years Later, Shin Hyun-joon Takes on Dual Role in 'The Reward,' Fears Wife's Reaction to Romance Scenes

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The South Korean-Taiwanese film 'The Reward' features veteran actor Shin Hyun-joon in a dual role and as a producer, with 70% of scenes filmed in Taichung, Taiwan.
  • Shin Hyun-joon portrays contrasting characters, a kind man named Hyun-joon and a notorious fugitive named Cheol-gu, fulfilling a long-held desire to play multiple roles.
  • The film incorporates romance, action, and comedy, aiming to be an entertaining work for audiences, and is set to premiere in Taiwan in July.

Veteran South Korean actor Shin Hyun-joon, with 36 years in the industry, is making waves with the South Korean-Taiwanese co-production 'The Reward' ('ๆ‡ธ่ณžไปค'). The film, which shot 70% of its scenes in Taichung, Taiwan, saw Shin not only take on the challenging dual role of two vastly different characters but also step into the producer's chair for the first time.

I haven't filmed a romance scene in a long time, it feels good, but I'm also a little worried if my wife will be angry when she sees it, so I don't dare to invite her to watch the movie.

โ€” Shin Hyun-joonCommenting on filming a romantic scene with a Taiwanese actress.

Shin plays both the honest and kind Hyun-joon and the infamous fugitive Cheol-gu. He described the experience as "addictive and fresh," noting that after decades of acting across various genres, playing two distinct characters was a long-cherished dream finally realized. He also shared a humorous anecdote about filming a romantic scene with rising Taiwanese starlet Le Ya-hsin, admitting he was a bit nervous about his wife's reaction, playfully stating he didn't dare invite her to watch the movie.

Recalling the filming in Taichung last summer, Shin Hyun-joon spoke of the heat and hard work but was deeply impressed by Taiwan's nocturnal scenery, which he found particularly romantic and conducive to his acting, especially for the love scenes. Director Shin Jae-ho explained that 'The Reward' was conceived as a purely entertaining piece, inspired by Jackie Chan films, blending action, comedy, and romance with an "Asian entertainment spirit."

If Shin Hyun-joon hyung asks me, I'll agree without even reading the script!

โ€” Kim Byung-manExplaining his immediate acceptance of a role in the film.

Other cast members shared their enthusiasm. Kim Byung-man, a comedian, confessed he accepted the role without even reading the script upon Shin Hyun-joon's invitation, finally realizing his dream of acting on the big screen. Female lead Bae Woo-hee shed her sweet image to portray a hot-tempered police officer, admitting the character's fiery personality initially surprised her. The film also features Taiwanese actors Le Ya-hsin, Lin Jun-yong, Huang Hsiao-jou, and Yi Li, and is slated for a July release in Taiwan.

This person's temper is really big!

โ€” Bae Woo-heeDescribing her reaction to her character's personality.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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