Director Ryu Seung-wan says his new film "HUMINT" exists in the same universe as "The Berlin File".
At a press screening and Q&A for "HUMINT" on the afternoon of the 4th, Ryu said, “'HUMINT' deals with a crime case on the Vladivostok border, and 'The Berlin File' ends with Pyo heading to Vladivostok.”
Addressing a line in the film where Hwang Chi-seong mentions Pyo, he added with a laugh, “It’s not a must-have scene, but for viewers who remember 'The Berlin File', it lets us show Hwang quickly and naturally ― as in, ‘He’s capable enough to take care of Pyo from 'The Berlin File'?’ For everyone else, it’s a light two-for-one that might make them wonder, ‘Wait, what was that?’ and go back to rewatch 'The Berlin File'.”
Released in 2013, "The Berlin File" was directed by Ryu Seung-wan and starred Ha Jung-woo, Han Suk-kyu, Ryu Seung-bum, and Jun Ji-hyun. It drew 7.12 million admissions nationwide and ended with protagonist Pyo leaving for Vladivostok.
As Ryu noted, "HUMINT" is primarily set in Vladivostok, cementing its connection to "The Berlin File". The face-off between NIS section chief Cho (Jo In-sung) and State Security Department officer Park Geon (Park Jung-min) also recalls "The Berlin File"s dynamic between NIS agent Jung Jin-soo (Han Suk-kyu) and North Korean agent Pyo (Ha Jung-woo).
"HUMINT" follows people with conflicting agendas clashing in icy Vladivostok, where secrets and truths sink to the bottom of the frozen sea. It opens on the 11th.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)