Renowned Taiwanese powerhouse actors Chen Yi-wen and Wang Po-chieh are set to make their Korean film debut through the upcoming movie "Tristes Tropiques."
"Tristes Tropiques" tells the story of members belonging to the assassin syndicate "Tristes Tropiques"—raised like brothers by their "Master"—who become consumed by mutual suspicion and vow bloody revenge following the Master's death. It is the latest project from director Park Hoon-jung, the mastermind behind "New World" and "The Witch" series.
Already drawing high anticipation with its ensemble featuring Lee Shin-young, Park Yoo-rim, and Kim Myung-min, "Tristes Tropiques" has further raised expectations with the addition of Taiwan's leading actors Chen Yi-wen and Wang Po-chieh.
Crossing effortlessly between directing and acting, Chen Yi-wen is a leading figure in Taiwanese cinema who won the Special Jury Award at the 37th Golden Horse Awards for directing "The Cabbie" and earned Best Leading Actor at the 56th Golden Horse Awards for "A Sun."
He left an especially powerful impression on film fans in the movie "The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon," where he played a cult leader concealing cruel madness behind a benevolent smile. Bringing his solid acting prowess to "Tristes Tropiques," Chen takes on the role of "Old Man Peng," the syndicate's general manager and a longtime business partner who built the organization alongside the "Master" (Kim Myung-min). As the organization is thrown into turmoil following the Master's sudden absence, he is a figure who makes cold-headed decisions, completing an unapproachable aura with sharp eyes honed over decades of experience.
Kim Myung-min, who shared the screen with him, stated, "He is an actor I have long respected deeply, and I was greatly inspired by how he poured everything into every single take, drawing complete immersion from his scene partner." His comments heighten excitement for the intense acting ensemble these two veteran actors from Korea and Taiwan will deliver.
Meanwhile, Wang Po-chieh, who initially gained widespread recognition by winning Best New Talent at the 10th Taipei Film Awards for his debut feature "Winds of September," is an accomplished actor who took home Best Actor at the 25th Taipei Film Awards for his role as a doctor battling through a locked-down hospital during the SARS outbreak in the film "Eye of the Storm." In the hit Netflix series "Light the Night," he left an indelible mark with his singular charisma playing a host club manager who drives the central conflict of the show.
Boasting an extensive filmography, Wang injects taut tension into "Tristes Tropiques" as "Na Ja-liang," the new boss of Chinatown. Na Ja-liang is the son of the syndicate boss and a ruthless, ambitious man who stops at nothing to seize power, set to deliver an impact that shakes the entire story with his relentless energy and sharp-edged presence.
Showcasing the commanding talents of Taiwan's representative powerhouse actors, the film "Tristes Tropiques" will hit theaters on November 25.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)