Brief
Netflix director Han Jun-hee warns safe choices can be the biggest risk
Han Jun-hee told a BIFF audience that playing it safe can become a larger risk for creators.
By Felo News Desk · Published
At the Busan International Film Festival’s Creative Asia session, Netflix Korea creative executive Kim Kijae hosted director Han Jun-hee ahead of the Nov. 20 Netflix release of the Korea‑Japan thriller “The Blue Road.”
What happened
Han, known for “Coin Locker Girl,” “D.P.” and the hit series “Weak Hero,” spoke about his approach to storytelling. He said he aims to make stories that have never been told but will attract a wide audience. The session was part of Netflix’s effort to showcase Asian creators during the festival.
What the report adds
Variety notes that Han’s inspiration came from binge‑watching “House of Cards,” which he described as a game‑changing series. He explained that in Korea the concept of a risky creative decision is called “go or stop.” He warned that “extremely safe choices can end up becoming the bigger risk.” The article also details Han’s genre‑bending tactics: using a buddy‑movie format for the military drama “D.P.” and wrapping “Weak Hero” in action to broaden appeal.
What was said
“I think you need to make bold choices so that the story is interesting,” Han told the audience, according to Variety. He added, “There is no story that cannot be made into a film or series.” When discussing casting for “Weak Hero,” he said, “There were three young actors. I thought among the three, at least one would be a crush for someone.” He also said he helped launch director Yoo Soo‑min’s career by stepping back from directing “Weak Hero.”
How it came about
Han’s career has moved from directing to also producing and creating content for other directors. After “Weak Hero,” he created the mystery‑horror series “Dead‑End Job,” set to premiere Oct. 30, overseeing its development while writer‑director Kim Da‑min handled direction. Han’s emphasis on nurturing new talent aligns with his comments about the difficulty of landing debuts in Korea’s industry.
Key facts
- Han Jun-hee spoke at Netflix’s Creative Asia program during BIFF ahead of the Nov. 20 release of “The Blue Road.” (variety.com)
- He described safe creative choices as a larger risk, using the Korean term “go or stop.” (variety.com)
- Han helped launch director Yoo Soo‑min’s career by stepping aside from directing “Weak Hero.” (variety.com)
- He created the upcoming Netflix mystery‑horror series “Dead‑End Job,” premiering Oct. 30. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Netflix’s ‘The Blue Road’ Director Han Jun-hee on Why Playing It Safe Is the Real Risk”
