A prequel is in the works for "Inside Men," the highest-grossing R-rated film in South Korean box office history with 7.07 million admissions.

On the 20th, production company Hive Media Corp announced that actors Ha Jung-woo, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Hae-joon, and Jung Sung-il have confirmed their casting in the working-title film "Inside Men: Birth of Villains."

Set in the late 1980s, "Inside Men: Birth of Villains" will portray the origins of the "Inside Men" amid a massive cartel formed by media, capital, and power. As an official prequel completing the narrative of the movie "Inside Men," this project is expected to shed light on how the axis of immense power first came to be.

Ha Jung-woo plays Lee Kang-hee, a newspaper reporter who once dreamed of breaking corporate corruption scoops only to be relegated to a marginal post due to external pressure. With his tenacious reporting skills and sharp perspective, he becomes the pivotal figure who sets the stage for the massive power cartel that moves South Korea.

Having showcased his versatile acting across genres through films such as "Hijack 1971," "Ransomed," "Ashfall," "The Chaser," "Along with the Gods," "1987: When the Day Comes," "Assassination," and "The Terror Live," as well as the Netflix series "Narco-Saints," Ha Jung-woo became the fastest lead actor in domestic film history to surpass 100 million cumulative viewers, cementing his status as a representative actor of Chungmuro. Bringing his signature intense presence to every project, Ha is set to complete the ambitious and cold-headed character of Lee Kang-hee with his unique flair in "Inside Men: Birth of Villains."

Ahn Bo-hyun takes on the role of Ahn Sang-goo, an entertainment agency representative who rises from the bottom while chasing his own success and revenge. Having proven his flawless character digestion and solid acting spectrum across various genres in films like "Devil Moves In" and "Veteran 2," alongside dramas such as "Flex X Cop," "Spring Fever," "See You in My 19th Life," and "Yumi's Cells," Ahn will portray Ahn Sang-goo—a man harboring a fierce ambition to reach the top to protect what is precious in the ruthless entertainment industry. Through intense cooperation and confrontation with Ha Jung-woo's character, Lee Kang-hee, Ahn is expected to maximize dramatic tension. In particular, he is raising expectations by portraying the younger days of Ahn Sang-goo—originally played by Lee Byung-hun in "Inside Men"—with his unique rugged energy and detailed passionate performance, adding depth to the character's narrative.

Park Hae-joon will portray Jang Pil-woo, a freshman lawmaker who enters politics after concluding his career as a prosecutor. Having captivated audiences by flawlessly executing bold characters in every project, including "12.12: The Day," "The Opposition," "Humint," "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion," and the Netflix series "Everything Will Come True" and "Fighting Against One's Own Worthlessness," Park is expected to add a weighty presence to the film through his signature charisma as Jang Pil-woo, an ambitious man striving to climb to the core of power through dangerous dealings with the mainstream media.

Jung Sung-il takes on the role of Oh Hyun-soo, the chairman who built Mirae Group by any means necessary. Captivating viewers with deep acting skills and a mesmerizing aura in every project such as the Disney+ original series [Made in Korea], and the Netflix films "The Glory" and "Uprising," Jung is set to anchor the center of the film with his unique dignified charisma and solid presence as Oh Hyun-soo, who seeks to stand at the apex of the cartel wielding massive capital and power.

The lineup of production crew participating in "Inside Men: Birth of Villains" also draws attention. Directors Kim Min-bum, who served as an assistant director for "12.12: The Day" and "The Flu," and Kim Jin-seok, who served as an assistant director for "Harbin," "The Man Standing Next," and "Veteran" while also handling the adaptation for the Disney+ original series [Made in Korea], will helm the project as co-directors.

Having completed its casting lineup of key figures at the center of the power cartel, "Inside Men: Birth of Villains" is currently in pre-production with the goal of cranking in within 2026.

 

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(SBS Entertainment News Reporter Kim Ji-hye)