A beloved Hollywood workplace comedy is getting a Korean makeover as The Intern remake heads to South Korean cinemas this September with a new cast, setting, and cultural perspective.
Originally released in 2015, The Intern starred Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who returns to the workforce as a senior intern at a fashion startup company. There, he forms an unexpected friendship with Jules Ostin, the young CEO played by Anne Hathaway.
Description: Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker and Anne Hathaway as Jules Ostin in the 2015 comedy film “The Intern”
More than a decade after the original became a global favorite, South Korean director Kim Do-young is putting her own spin on the story, this time grounding it in Korean workplace culture.
The remake centers on workplace veteran with 37 years of work experience, Gi-ho, who joins a startup company owned by young CEO, Sun-woo, as he attempts to begin a second career.
Taking on the role of Gi-ho is Choi Min-sik, the acclaimed actor known internationally for his performance in Oldboy. Meanwhile, Han So-hee, who rose to global popularity through The World of the Married, stars as Sun-woo.
Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram
During a press conference on August 24, the cast and filmmakers opened about bringing the familiar story to Korean audiences while giving the characters and workplace setting a distinctly local identity.
For Min-sik, stepping into a role associated with such a successful original came with its own pressure. However, he said the opportunity to explore the story through a Korean perspective ultimately attracted him to the project.
“It would be a lie to say there was no pressure because the original film and its actors were so outstanding,” he said, as translated by The Korea Times. “However, I felt that translating the story through a Korean lens, incorporating our local struggles, intergenerational conflicts and reconciliation, would bring a fresh flavor.”
Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram
So-hee, meanwhile, chose not to closely imitate Anne's interpretation of Jules. Instead, she approached Sun-woo as a character she could make her own.
“I tried hard to forget the original film,” she said. “As I focused on interpreting Sun-woo through my own lens, my actual personality naturally blended into the character.”
The actress also looked toward people around her for inspiration, particularly friends working in offices and startups, as she explored the pressures that come with being a young CEO.
“Since many of my friends are office workers or startup employees, I drew inspiration from them to portray the fragile balance between a CEO's responsibilities and personal ambitions,” she added.
Even Sun-woo's wardrobe became part of her preparation for the role. The actress paid attention to creating a look that would communicate her character's authority while still feeling realistic for someone working in a fast-paced startup environment.
“I spent a lot of time thinking about outfits that could project charisma while remaining practical for a young CEO,” So-hee said. “Rather than following quick fashion trends, I picked timeless outfits that reflect her professional image.”
Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram For director Do-young, remaking a film that had already resonated with audiences around the world came with its own set of challenges.
“Because the original was so widely loved, remaking it was not easy,” she said.
She continued: “Since the original came out over a decade ago, times and perspectives have changed. I tried to reflect Korean cultural nuances, such as modern workplace slang, while capturing a relatable office life story for audiences across all generations.”
Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram
The remake also aims to explore the relationship between Gi-ho and Sun-woo through a more grounded Korean workplace setting, with the story touching on the anxieties, pressures, and isolation that can come with modern professional life.
While the premise may be familiar to fans of the original, the Korean adaptation hopes to give the story a new identity through its characters, cultural details, and the chemistry between its veteran and young leads.
Produced by Anthology Studio and Warner Bros. Korea, The Intern remake will open in South Korean theaters on September 16.