[HanCinema's News] Miike Takashi Talks About "Connect"

On December 5th the Disney+ series "Connect" held a press conference at the CGV in the Yongsan district of Seoul. Director Miike Takashi was in attendance, as well as lead actors Jung Hae-in, Go Kyung-pyo, and Kim Hye-jun. "Connect" deals in a speculative future where bodies don't die. Jung Hae-in plays a man who's kidnapped by a criminal organization and has an eye stolen, which connects him to a serial killer that is able to track him.

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"Connect" is based on the South Korean webtoon of the same title. Miike Takashi claimed that the chief enemy during the filming process was just cold weather, and had positive statements regarding working with a Korean staff and production company. Miike Takashi praised Jung Hae-in in particular for showing a leadership role. Miike Takashi claimed that Jung Hae-in usually grasped what Miike Takashi's instructions were even when he was struggling with the language barrier.

Miike Takashi also said that Jung Hae-in was excellent in the leading role as an isolated loner who needs time away from people, defying Miike Takashi's concerns about whether he could achieve such a task given his reputation as a big star. Miike Takashi thanked Jung Hae-in for his powerful expression. Miike Takashi stated that he had more confidence in Go Kyung-pyo as the serial killer prior to filming, due to his wide variety of past roles.

The reasoning given by Miike Takashi was that this is also a skill needed by psychopaths. And indeed, Go Kyung-po even managed to show up half an hour late to their first meeting, yet wearing a huge smile. Kim Hye-jun, by contrast, had an innocent face, but could also convey an effective sense of mystery. Miike Takashi also promised that her role in the final three episodes of "Connect" required far more unimaginable acting than the first three which screened that day.

"Connect" began airing worldwide via Disney+ on December 7th, albeit not in all regions. It's the first project for Jung Hae-in since "Snowdrop" from about a year ago. Kim Hye-jun's last leading role was in "Inspector Koo" which also aired about a year ago. Go Kyung-po is making a much more recent return, his having finished "Love in Contract" in October. Miike Takashi has one other Korean project to his credit- the film "Three, Monster" from 2004 which he made with Park Chan-wook.

Written by William Schwartz

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"Connect" is directed by Miike Takashi, written by Heo Dam, Masaru Nakamura, and features Jung Hae-in, Go Kyung-pyo, Kim Hye-jun, Jang Gwang, Kim Roe-ha, Yang Dong-geun. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/12/07, on Disney Plus.