A prequel is in the works for "Inside Men," the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time in South Korea, which drew 7.07 million viewers.
On August 20, production company Hive Media Corp announced that actors Ha Jung-woo, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Hae-joon, and Jung Sung-il have been confirmed to star in "Inside Men: The Birth of Villains" (working title).
"Inside Men: The Birth of Villains" (working title) will trace the beginnings of the "inside men" within a massive cartel formed through media, capital, and power in the late 1980s. As an official prequel completing the narrative of the film "Inside Men," this new project is set 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 dreamed of breaking corporate corruption scandals but was sidelined to a minor position due to external pressure. With his tenacious investigative skills and sharp perspective, he becomes a key figure in creating the massive power cartel that moves South Korea.
Having showcased wide-ranging performances across genres in 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 surpassed 100 million cumulative moviegoers for his starring roles in the shortest time, cementing his status as a leading actor in Chungmuro. Bringing his signature intense presence to "Inside Men: The Birth of Villains" (working title), Ha is set to portray Lee Kang-hee, a character possessing both ambition and cold intellect, with his own unique charm.
Ahn Bo-hyun takes on the role of Ahn Sang-goo, an entertainment agency representative who starts from the bottom and fights his way toward his own success and revenge. Having proven his flawless character digestion and solid acting spectrum across various genres in works such as the films "I, the Executioner," "Pretty Crazy," and dramas like "Flex X Cop," "Spring Fever," "See You in My 19th Life," and "Yumi's Cells," Ahn Bo-hyun will maximize dramatic tension through fierce cooperation and confrontation with Ha Jung-woo's character, driven by an intense desire to become the best in order to protect what is precious to him in the ruthless entertainment industry. In particular, expectations are high as he portrays the younger days of Ahn Sang-goo, originally played by Lee Byung-hun in "Inside Men," using his unique rugged energy and detailed passionate acting to add depth to the character's narrative.
Park Hae-joon transforms into Jang Pil-woo, a first-term lawmaker who has just entered politics after finishing his career as a prosecutor. Captivating audiences with his bold character portrayals in every project such as "12.12: The Day," "Yadang: The Snitch," "HUMINT," and the Netflix series "We Are All Trying Here" and "When Life Gives You Tangerines", Park Hae-joon is expected to add heavy presence to the work with his signature charisma as the ambitious Jang Pil-woo, who climbs to the core of power through dangerous dealings with major media outlets.
Jung Sung-il takes on the role of Oh Hyun-soo, the chairman who built Mirae Group by any means necessary. Captivating audiences with profound acting and a mesmerizing aura in every project including the Disney+ original series "Made in Korea" and the Netflix films "The Glory" and "Uprising," Jung Sung-il is set to anchor the center of the story with his sophisticated charisma and heavy presence as Oh Hyun-soo, who aims to stand at the apex of the cartel through massive capital and power.
The lineup of production crew participating in "Inside Men: The Birth of Villains" (working title) also draws attention. Directors Kim Min-beom, who served as an assistant director on "12.12: The Day" and "Flu," and Kim Jin-seok, who worked as an assistant director on "Harbin," "The Man Standing Next," and "Veteran" while also taking charge of adaptation for the Disney+ original series "Made in Korea," will co-direct the project.
Having completed its casting lineup of main characters standing at the center of the power cartel, "Inside Men: The Birth of Villains" (working title) is currently in pre-production with the goal of cranking in 2026.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)