Belonging to the psychological - thriller genre, the Korean film "Notes from the last row" revolves around Heo Mun Oh (Choi Min Sik) - a failed writer who is also a Korean literature professor trapped in feelings of inferiority and unfinished ambitions.
Mun Oh's life changes when he discovers the special talent of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun Wook) - a mysterious student who often sits in the back row of the classroom. Lee Kang's excellent writings gradually rekindle Mun Oh's lost creative passion, while pulling both into a complex relationship between admiration, jealousy and ambition.
Sharing at the press conference to launch on June 24, Choi Min Sik said that he was attracted by the literary quality of the script.
I want to participate in a work imbued with the breath of literature. This is a story for viewers to have a moment of silence to reflect. Mun Oh's shortcomings are very close to real life and the audience can see themselves in the characters.
According to Choi Min Sik, Mun Oh is tormented by inferiority complex and extreme jealousy. Therefore, he spends a lot of time exchanging with the director and crew to build the inner world of the character.
Director Kim Gyu Tae - who is behind works like "Blues on the Blue Island" and "The Suitcase" - said he was fascinated from the first pages of the script. "I read the entire script in one go because I was too curious about what would happen next. The film combines entertainment and literary depth in a very special way.
One of the points emphasized by the crew is the collaboration between Choi Min Sik and Choi Hyun Wook. The director assessed that the young actor possesses special eyes and energy, enough to create tension with very small expressions.
For his part, Choi Hyun Wook admitted that he learned a lot from the veteran actor during the filming process.
I have been overwhelmed many times by the presence and energy of senior Choi Min Sik on set. Without his guidance, it would be difficult for me to explore the depth of the character Lee Kang.
Unlike many works that focus on visual elements, "Notes from the Last row" focuses on exploiting the psychology of characters and inner conflicts. According to the director, the film does not aim for a flashy appearance but focuses on the emotional nature and dark corners in people.
Choi Min Sik also described this as a suitable work to enjoy in quiet moments. "The film does not bring a pleasant feeling. It forces viewers to reflect on human nature and the complexities of life.
Notes from the last row" consists of 6 volumes and will be released on June 26.
