Czarina Faith Abuso

The Intern remake gets a Korean twist starring Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>A beloved Hollywood workplace comedy is getting a Korean makeover as <em>The Intern </em>remake heads to South Korean cinemas this September with a new cast, setting, and cultural perspective. </p><p>Originally released in 2015, <em>The Intern</em> 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. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788007562986Capture.JPG" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Description: Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker and Anne Hathaway as Jules Ostin in the 2015 comedy film “The Intern”  <strong></strong><strong></strong></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Taking on the role of Gi-ho is Choi Min-sik, the acclaimed actor known internationally for his performance in <em>Oldboy</em>. Meanwhile, Han So-hee, who rose to global popularity through <em>The World of the Married</em>, stars as Sun-woo. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:660px;display:block" width="660"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788007580593The Intern.JPG" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="660"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>“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.” </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:660px;display:block" width="660"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788007627805The Intern-1.JPG" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="660"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>So-hee, meanwhile, chose not to closely imitate Anne&#x27;s interpretation of Jules. Instead, she approached Sun-woo as a character she could make her own. </p><p>“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.” </p><p>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. </p><p>“Since many of my friends are office workers or startup employees, I drew inspiration from them to portray the fragile balance between a CEO&#x27;s responsibilities and personal ambitions,” she added. </p><p>Even Sun-woo&#x27;s wardrobe became part of her preparation for the role. The actress paid attention to creating a look that would communicate her character&#x27;s authority while still feeling realistic for someone working in a fast-paced startup environment. </p><p>“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.” </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:660px;display:block" width="660"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788007723467The Intern-2.JPG" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="660"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram</em></span></span></span> For director Do-young, remaking a film that had already resonated with audiences around the world came with its own set of challenges. </div><p>“Because the original was so widely loved, remaking it was not easy,” she said. </p><p>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.” </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:660px;display:block" width="660"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788007799347The Intern-3.JPG" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="660"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo Credit to @warnerbros.korea on Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Produced by Anthology Studio and Warner Bros. Korea, <em>The Intern </em>remake will open in South Korean theaters on September 16.</p>

<p>‘The Intern’ remake gets a Korean twist as acclaimed stars Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee lead the remake of the hit comedy film. </p>

‘The Intern’ remake gets a Korean twist as acclaimed stars Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee lead the remake of the hit comedy film.

‘The Intern’ remake gets a Korean twist starring Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee

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‘The Intern’ remake gets a Korean twist starring Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee

Alyana De Guzman,

Push Team

Published August 29, 2026 08:53 PM PHT

Read More:

Choi Min-sik

Han So-hee

Anne Hathaway

Robert De Niro

The Intern

movie

remake

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