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Director Frederik Sølberg’s powerful new film, “Hana Korea,” has captivated audiences at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where it secured the audience award in the Flash Forward competition. The movie, starring “Pachinko” breakout star Kim Minha, offers a deeply nuanced look into the life of a North Korean defector adjusting to a new reality in the South.
The film’s creation is the result of a unique Danish-Korean co-production and a journey that began with an unexpected conversation fifteen years ago.
Lead actress Kim Minha, known for her role in “Pachinko.”
A Director’s Journey and an Unforgettable Phrase
The project’s origins trace back to Danish director Frederik Sølberg’s first trip to Seoul. During a chance encounter at a restaurant, he met two Korean men who, despite a language barrier, conveyed the profound pain of their nation’s division. One of them told him, “All we want is hana Korea,” meaning “one Korea.”
Director Frederik Sølberg
This powerful phrase stayed with Sølberg, sparking a fascination that led him to create a radio documentary about Hanawon, South Korea’s resettlement center for North Korean refugees. It was there that the idea for a feature film took root—not about North Korea itself, but about the profound transformation its people undergo.
In 2019, this vision solidified when Sølberg and his producers met Hyorin, a young North Korean woman whose honesty and sincerity left them “awestruck.” She challenged Sølberg to tell her story, believing his perspective as a non-Korean was essential. Hyorin has remained involved throughout the filmmaking process, sharing her personal letters and building a friendship with the director.
Bringing an Authentic Story to the Screen
To adapt Hyorin’s experiences, Sølberg collaborated with co-writer Sharon Choi, celebrated for her work as an interpreter for director Bong Joon Ho. Together, they crafted the fictional protagonist, Hyesun, basing her journey on Hyorin’s life.
For the demanding lead role, Sølberg knew he needed a special talent. “I watched the Apple TV series ‘Pachinko,’ in which Minha stars and her performance absolutely blew me away,” he recalled. “From the moment she walked through the door, it was clear that she fully understood the direction we were taking.”
For Kim Minha, the greatest challenge was authenticity, particularly in mastering the North Korean dialect from Ryanggang Province. “The very first thing they told me was to forget the dialects we usually hear in the media,” she explained. The actor dedicated immense time to perfecting the accent with coaches for every take. She also drew deep inspiration from reading the real-life letters Hyorin had written to her family, which she called the most moving part of the script.
Art reflecting the themes of defection and resettlement.
A Visual Language of Liberation
The film’s cinematography was meticulously designed to reflect Hyesun’s inner journey. Working with Director of Photography Stephanie Stål Axelgård, Sølberg established a distinct visual grammar.
“Initially, I had a guiding principle… using slow cinema tableaux, a fixed frame whenever Hyesun is limited, constrained, or under custody,” Sølberg noted. As Hyesun adapts and finds her freedom, the camera style shifts to become more “vibrant, hand-held.” This concept was extended to the lighting, color, and production design, creating a cinematic style where Hyesun not only breaks free from her situation but also “takes control of her own narrative.”
A New Model of International Collaboration
“Hana Korea” stands out for its innovative production structure. Despite the Danish Film Institute being the primary funder, the team insisted on an “equal co-production.” The Danish and Korean producers worked as full partners from research to final cut, ensuring the Korean perspective was integral. This commitment to authenticity included interviews with nearly 30 North Koreans and numerous experts.
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The Busan International Film Festival, where “Hana Korea” won an audience award.
With international sales managed by REinvent, “Hana Korea” is now poised to share its powerful and respectfully told story with the rest of the world.
