'Coin Locker Girl' Screenwriter And Director Han Jun Hee Weighs In On His Breakout Work [Exclusive Interview]

"Coin Locker Girl" is a thrilling, film noir which examines the ruthlessness of humanity, with a particular focus on women who defy stereotypes to emerge as cold-hearted killers. The movie, which screened in International Critic's Week at the 2015 Cannes International Film Festival, was written and directed by Han Jun Hee.

Actress Kim Hye Joo (The Thieves, Face Reader) departs from her sex-symbol image with her portrayal of Mom, an emotionally detached crime boss who leads a ring of loan sharks into the dark realm of identity and organ theft. Critically-acclaimed method actress Kim Go Eun (A Muse, Monster) is Il Young, a girl who was abandoned at birth in a subway coin locker. Park Bo Gum of "Tomorrow's Cantabile" portrays Park Suk Hyun, the innocent son of a loan shark victim. KDramaStars spoke with Han Jun Hee about his experiences as the screenwriter and director of "Coin Locker Girl," during his appearance at the New York Asian Film Festival. 

KDramaStars: As the writer and director of “Coin Locker Girl,” what inspired the script and your decision to create the film?

Han Jun Hee:  I was inspired by the early years of my life and the environment that I grew up in. These events helped me write the story. I believe that writers and directors are influenced by the environments that they spend their lives in.

KDramaStars: The female characters are the some of the strongest in the film. Why did you decide to approach them from this angle?  

Han Jun Hee: I think women are stronger than men, even when it comes to making sexual decisions. My mother influenced me to view women, in this manner.

KDramaStars: Kim Hye Soo and Kim Go Eun are brilliant in their roles. Can you please describe the casting process of the movie?  

Han Jun Hee: The casting process with Kim Go Eun was fairly easy. I gave her the first draft [of the script] and she immediately said that she wanted to come on board. For Kim Hye Soo, it was different. As you may well know, she is very well known in Korea.

She has starred in very iconic roles. This role was challenging her to take on a different side, for the very first time. She spent a lot of time thinking before she joined the film. In Korea, she has this image as an attractive and sexy woman. She was initially apprehensive to break that image.

On my part, I approached her about three times and continued to ask if she would accept the role. I even sent her a handwritten letter to asking her to star in the role, after that she acquiesced and decided to take on the part.

KDramaStars: “Mom” and the family are a terrifying crew. What served as their inspiration for the characters?  

Han Jun Hee: Besides the fact that they are a very evil family, they go follow the traditional boundaries of a Korean family. There is always the mother, who is taking care of everyone. There is always the son, who is quiet but is willing to do what needs to be done. There is often a sick brother, who needs to be taken care of. The daughter is looked up to by all of the other children.

Then, there is often someone who is the second daughter or brother, who strays away from a good upbringing, to get what he or she wants. The uncle is so submerged in debt and gambling, that he cannot figure things out for himself. I feel like they may be a scary family but they have aspects that we can see in everyday life.

KDramaStars: What were some of the most difficult scenes to film, particularly those with may have challenged Kim Hye Soo?  

Han Jun Hee: I think that all of the scenes were hard to film. But if I had to pick out a specific one, I choose the scene where Il Young and Mom are in the underground parking lot. It is a turning point of the film, where Mom is faced with the decision of whether or not to kill Il Young. We had to film this scene in 12 hours. It was difficult because we were under a bit of time crunch.

Considering the part of the question that focused on Kim Hye Soo, the role required her to withhold her emotions and conceal them. Yet, something was always happening to her character. It was a tightrope between concealing and revealing. I think that part was a bit difficult for her.

KDramaStars: What are your thoughts on the feedback the film received at Cannes? 

Han Jun Hee: It was really nice to be invited to the film festival, however, I derive more joy from being on-set at 4 a.m. when no one is up. So, it was an honor to have the film appear at Cannes, but I think I am more comfortable when I am filming.

KDramaStars: Can you please discuss your next project?  

Han Jun Hee: I am in the process of writing a screenplay. It’s not yet finalized, so it is hard to elaborate. In that sense, it is a story about guilt, humility and embarrassment. I feel like it is going to be even darker and more hardcore than “Coin Locker Girl.”