Han Suk-kyu's 'Speaking Dead' set for release after 5-year hiatus

The drama 'Speaking Dead,' which saw its production halted due to political controversies surrounding its original Chinese source material, is finally meeting viewers after a five-year hiatus. Having overcome the setback of production suspension and receiving successive invitations to domestic and international film festivals, it is emerging as a highly anticipated project for the second half of this year.

Production company SLL officially announced on the 7th that 'Speaking Dead' will be released in the second half of this year. However, the specific platform and exact schedule have not yet been confirmed.

The work is a mystery thriller that begins when Jang Jae-wook (Han Suk-kyu), a forensic scientist formerly of the National Forensic Service, confesses to being a notorious terrorist suspect. As a current urban terror incident intertwines with an unsolved case from about 10 years ago, the story tracks a massive truth involving the prosecution, police, military, and the media.

Originally, this project was planned as a 16-episode drama titled 'Until the Morning Comes,' based on the mystery novel 'A Long, Hard Night Before Dawn' by Chinese author Zi Jinchen.

However, production was completely halted in 2021 as controversy spread in Korea regarding the original author Zi Jinchen's remarks, which were seen as disparaging the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests and defending the Chinese Communist Party.

As the controversy persisted, the production team decided to restructure the existing footage into an 8-episode series and change the title to 'Speaking Dead.' This marks the end of a long wait, with the release finally confirmed approximately five years later.

The work is also drawing attention for its solid cast.

Han Suk-kyu plays the forensic scientist Jang Jae-wook, who stands at the center of the case, while Jung Yumi appears as Yeo Su-jeong, a profiler tracking the reality of the incident.

Yeom Hye-ran plays investigation chief Go Kyung-hee, Lee Hee-joon portrays prosecutor Kang Young-il, and Kim Jun Han plays military legal officer Heo Kyung-pil. Ryu Hye-young joins the story as a social affairs reporter, and Kim Yu-mi appears as Heo Kyung-pil's lover.

Recently released still images capture the tense atmosphere of the key characters, including Jang Jae-wook holding a hostage while surrounded by police and moving through the crime scene.

The launch poster emphasizes a mysterious atmosphere with the five characters standing in the middle of Gwanghwamun and the phrase "The truth has been concealed."

The international poster features Jang Jae-wook holding a gun with the phrase "COLD FACT, UNFROZEN," hinting at a story where hidden truths are revealed.

The trailer also heightens tension, starting with Jang Jae-wook's line: "We are all connected. If you touch one, there is a chain reaction."

Even before its official release, the project has garnered high interest from domestic and international film festivals.

'Speaking Dead' was selected as an official invitation for 'Fantascape,' a newly established section at this year's Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN).

During the screening reservations held last month, all 170 prepared seats were sold out within just 5 minutes of opening, proving the high expectations for the work.

Furthermore, it was officially invited to the International Competition category of the 2nd Italy Global Series Festival (IGSF).

Out of approximately 160 entries from 34 countries, it was named one of the final 21 competing works, being the only Asian production to advance to the competition category.

In particular, since Han Suk-kyu won both Best Drama and Best Actor at the same festival last year for his previous work, interest is focused on whether he can win again for two consecutive years.

On the 11th, a special screening combining episodes 1 and 2 was held at CGV Sopoong, followed by a Guest Visit (GV) attended by Lee Hee-joon, Yeom Hye-ran, Kim Jun Han, and others, which received an enthusiastic response.

'Speaking Dead,' which experienced the unprecedented variable of production being halted due to political controversy, is finally approaching its release after a title change and re-editing. Attention is focused on whether this work, which has been shrouded in mystery for five years, can translate the continuous praise and high expectations from home and abroad into actual box office success.