Netflix movie 'Logiwan (Director Kim Heejin)' continues to gain momentum as it claims the top spot in the Netflix Global Top 10 Films (Non-English) category for the second consecutive week. 'Logiwan' tells the story of Kiwan, a North Korean defector who arrives in Belgium carrying the last hope of his life, and Marie, a woman who has lost her reason for living, as they are drawn to each other.
According to the Netflix Top 10 website on the 13th, 'Logiwan' has secured the top spot in the Netflix Global Top 10 Films (Non-English) category, captivating viewers worldwide. It has also proven its global popularity by making it to the Top 10 lists in 31 countries, including South Korea, Portugal, Peru, Venezuela, Malaysia, and Turkey.
The film, which delicately and sincerely portrays the comfort offered to strangers at the end of life, along with the stellar performances of the actors, has been receiving praise from viewers both domestically and internationally.
Viewers have been commenting, "I was really immersed in it," "The warm feeling after it ended will be remembered for a long time," "I wish there were more movies like this," "It teaches us what it truly means to embrace someone," "The movie lingers in your mind even after the credits roll," "Love's power to transcend barriers and illuminate life's darkest corners," "Song Joongki's performance is outstanding. This magical movie perfectly depicts the hardships and barriers refugees face," and "Praise to all the actors! Song Joong-ki disappears within minutes, leaving only Logiwan behind."
In an interview with Sisaweek, actor Song Joongki discussed his return to the Netflix movie 'Logiwan' directed by Kim Hee-jin. Initially, Song Joong-ki rejected the proposal seven years ago due to some parts he couldn't relate to. However, upon reevaluation, he found himself drawn to the character's journey of finding love amidst survival, realizing the significance of relationships in life. He admitted that his perspective had shifted over time, allowing him to appreciate the film differently upon revisiting it.
Regarding his preparation for the role of Kiwan, a North Korean defector, Song Joong-ki mentioned his interactions with individuals who had similar experiences as depicted in the novel 'Logiwan Met' by Kim Heejin. He particularly emphasized the influence of a North Korean language teacher who shared personal stories, shaping his portrayal of Kiwan. Additionally, Song Joong-ki expressed his involvement in the production process, feeling a heightened sense of responsibility due to his collaborative role. He appreciated Director Kim Hee-jin's openness to different opinions and their mutual respect during the production, contributing to a fulfilling collaborative experience.
Overall, Song Joongki highlighted his evolving perspective on the film, his preparation for the role, and his collaborative efforts in the production process, emphasizing the importance of relationships and shared responsibilities in creating meaningful work.
The responses to the romance between Kiwan and Mari were contrasting. Song Joongki discussed how he anticipated a connection between the characters due to their shared experience of discussing their mothers but found the emotional resonance in different scenes, particularly during a casual meal scene. Kiwan's internal struggle about whether he deserves happiness in front of his loved one, Mari, resonated deeply with him. Regarding his collaboration with Choi Sung-eun, Song Joong-ki praised her energy and dedication to the role, admiring her refusal to compromise and relentless pursuit of excellence. He noted that working with her taught him the importance of not settling and continuously pushing boundaries. Reflecting on his recent film choices from "Arthdal Chronicles" to "Logiwan," Song Joong-ki explained his preference for balancing between dramas and movies, particularly gravitating towards films for their ability to delve deeper into nuanced emotions and explore characters' resolutions more profoundly.
Choi Sungeun described "Logiwan" as a learning experience, breaking through the barriers that confined him by courageously immersing himself with senior actors abroad. Equipping himself with flexibility and composure, he grew as an actor. Meeting with <The Fact> at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Choi Sung-eun shared various insights related to the film. "Logiwan" achieved a global TOP 10 ranking in the non-English category within just three days of its release, gaining recognition in 12 countries including Indonesia and Japan. Despite acknowledging the mixed reactions the film has received, Choi Sung-eun remained composed, expressing that while some may enjoy it, others may feel differently, emphasizing the power of the story and the relatable characters with multiple layers as aspects that resonated deeply with him.
Based on the novel "Meeting Logiwan" by Jo Hae-jin, "Logiwan" tells the story of Ki-wan, a North Korean defector who arrives in Belgium with the last hope of life, and Mari, a woman who has lost the reason to live. After their fateful encounter, Mari unexpectedly falls in love with Ki-wan. Choi Sung-eun, who played Mari, joined the film after an audition, viewing Mari as "a character with a small soul that builds walls and shows claws out of fear." He prepared for the role by reading the original novel, discussing with director Kim, and understanding the character's emotions.
Choi Sungeun also prepared for the role by mastering shooting and French, enhancing the immersion of the film. He focused on shooting forms and fluent French, although he expressed some regret for not delving deeper into the basic information and knowledge of the language, hoping to have done so for a more natural portrayal of the character's dialogue.
In a recent interview with <The Fact>, Song Joong-ki praised Choi Sung-eun, saying, "Choi Sung-eun has a persistence that I don't have." Choi Sungeun, on the other hand, mentioned that he learned a lot from Song Joong-ki and other senior actors while working on the film. He particularly highlighted the experience of working with staff members on locations like Hungary, where he gained strength from various aspects.
Choi Sungeun admitted that he used to worry when he didn't understand the emotional lines of his character in the script but didn't explore other options. However, Song Joong-ki's approach of not missing out on the character of Logiwan even while considering the whole picture was a learning point. Choi Sung-eun realized the importance of presenting better ideas and finding a middle ground when differing with the director's vision. He acknowledged that he needed to put in more effort in the future.
Before "Logiwan," Choi Sungeun had hesitated to approach staff members first, thinking he shouldn't use his energy for shooting. However, during the overseas shoot, he decided to break that barrier and found himself becoming more attached to people due to sharing accommodations and spaces. He felt grateful for the support he received from others.
Regarding his use of the term "오빠" (oppa, older brother) only for Song Joongki while addressing other senior actors as "선배" (seonbae, senior), Choi Sung-eun explained that he found it difficult to use the term "oppa" and let go of formalities. However, Song Joong-ki encouraged him to speak comfortably, especially considering the need for a strong melodramatic rapport in their scenes together. Choi Sung-eun believed that being more approachable was better in such circumstances.
Debuting with the 2019 film "Exit," Choi Sungeun swiftly rose to prominence as a lead actor, solidifying his presence in the public eye through consistent work in projects like Netflix's "My Country: The New Age" and the film "The Gentlemen," leading up to "Logiwan." A notable aspect of his filmography is the portrayal of characters with backstories or darker aspects, often acting alongside senior actors like Ji Chang-wook, Ju Ji-hoon, and Song Joong-ki.
Aware of this trend, Choi Sungeun approached his roles with the mindset of always striving to do his best, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn from the diverse strengths of his senior colleagues. However, he also expressed a desire to explore genres and characters he hasn't tried before, including roles opposite actors of his own age, anticipating a fresh and enjoyable experience. Additionally, he expressed an interest in portraying brighter characters, acknowledging a newfound desire to experiment with different roles and bring positive energy to his performances.
Reflecting on his growth both as an actor and as a person, Choi Sungeun viewed "Logiwan" as a pivotal project that he hopes will remain a standout in his filmography, emphasizing his commitment to continue quietly advancing in his career. While not one to dwell on the past, he finds joy and fulfillment in the collaborative process of creating art with others and looks forward to embracing each new project with enthusiasm and happiness.