By Honorary Reporter Diya Mitra from U.K.

Choi Dong-hoon is a film director and screenwriter who has enjoyed commercial success with his films "The Thieves" (2012) and "Assassination" (2015), with each selling over 12 million tickets.

I met him back in 2012, when his comedy "The Thieves" premiered as one of the opening movies of the London Korean Film Festival. He was friendly as we exchanged a few words and took a photo together.

A decade later on Nov. 3 this year, I saw him again but this time as a Korea.net Honorary Reporter after receiving media credentials. This year's festival had as its opening film his sci-fi action thriller "Alienoid." 

I reminded him of our meeting 10 years ago, and he asked me if he had changed. I paused while showing him the photo I took of us back then. He said, "Oh my god, I changed a lot!" and surprisingly pulled out his Samsung smartphone and snapped the photo.

Director Choi Dong-hoon (left) and Honorary Reporter Diya Mitra (right) on Nov. 3 pose for a photo in their second meeting 10 years their first at the 17th London Korean Film Festival in the British capital. (Diya Mitra)

His film "The Thieves" was screened on Nov. 4 followed by another Q&A with the director. I and two other journalists interviewed Choi the day before at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, and excerpts of our chat are below.

Why did you mix genres in "Alienoid?"
It started from two curiosities. The first was that when I think of science fiction, it's something that might happen in the future. But fantasy is something that never happens though I hope it does. I wanted to see what would happen if I combined those two slightly different but similar concepts together.

The second was what would happen if an alien fought a traditional Korean magician.

Where do you get inspiration for your plots?
As a teenager, I was a bad kid because I lied to my parents to go to theaters on weekends and watch several films. But the memories of what I watched as a child through movies like "Back to the Future," "The Terminator" and "Alien" live within me and are reflected in "Alienoid." 

The biggest source of inspiration for this movie was my 2009 film "Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard." This was my own creation but remains a stimulant and challenge for me.

Three journalists including me had a private interview session with director Choi at the festival. (Timothy Holm)

Why do you think your films connect with Korean audiences?
My stories are always simple and focus on meetings of people, their journeys together and their parting of ways. I try to package these with fun elements so that it doesn't seem like the only focus. I always ensure an open ending so that people are unsure of what happens next. 

How do you handle scripting and changes in the filmmaking process?
A director in Korea needs to write his or her own scripts to break into the industry. It usually takes me about a year to write a 70-page script, but that for "Alienoid" took me two. Shooting it felt a bit like jazz as it involved an element of improvisation. I might change the script in certain places or consult the cast. We hold a discussion and makes suggestions, and if something doesn't work, we can change the script. These all come together to build the story.

How do you select and work with actors?
When writing a script, I have in mind certain people I'd like to cast. There's no guarantee I can get them, but while writing the script, I meet them for coffee. We talk a lot and this helps me get to know them. After finishing the script, I present it to them and go from there.

What do you want to do in London?
I love walking around and visiting the National Gallery, Somerset House and Tate Modern, and I always visit the latter when I'm here.

This photo shows Honorary Reporter Diya Mitra and director Choi Dong-hoon in their first meeting in 2012. (Diya Mitra)

kalhong617@korea.kr 

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.