South Korean actress Han So‑hee and veteran screen legend Choi Min‑sik have been formally announced as the lead cast for an upcoming Korean adaptation of the beloved 2015 Hollywood film The Intern.
The Korean Film Council has officially confirmed that both actors appear in its production database, and Han So‑hee's agency, 9ato Entertainment, issued a statement confirming her participation. According to multiple outlets, the film is in pre‑production, with shooting slated to begin in September 2025.
Casting & Creative Team
- Han So‑hee will portray the Korean equivalent of Jules Ostin, the ambitious CEO originally played by Anne Hathaway. In this version, Han plays a driven founder of a rapidly‑growing online fashion startup, embodying youthful leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Choi Min‑sik takes on the role of Ben Whittaker, the wise, highly experienced senior intern who transforms the workplace with empathy and life lessons—a role originally brought to life by Robert De Niro. The character is in his 70s and acts as a mentor figure to the CEO.
The project is helmed by director Kim Do‑young, celebrated for directing Kim Ji‑young, Born 1982, which brings experience with emotionally rich storytelling and social consciousness.
Why This Remake Matters
The original The Intern, directed by Nancy Meyers, was both a box‑office and cultural success, grossing approximately $190 million globally and attracting 3.6 million viewers in South Korea alone on its initial run in 2015. This enduring popularity paves the way for a Korean version that preserves the core themes of intergenerational friendship, mentorship, and work‑life balance, but with local nuance and cultural context.
Korean audiences have historically embraced workplace comedies and heartfelt mentor‑mentee stories. Adapting a Western story through a Korean lens opens opportunities to infuse local values, possibly including filial piety, family dynamics, and societal expectations, while retaining the charm and emotion that made The Intern resonate worldwide.
