Director Kim Joo Hwan is bringing a fresh, action-packed story to the screen with Officer Black Belt, a Netflix film that dives into the unique world of martial arts officers and probation officers. On September 10th, a press conference was held at Lotte Cinema, featuring the director and stars Kim Woo Bin and Kim Sung Kyun.
Kim Woo Bin stars as Lee Jung Do, a young martial artist with black belts in taekwondo, judo, and kendo, who becomes a martial arts officer tasked with monitoring criminals on electronic anklets. Kim Sung Kyun plays Kim Sun Min, a probation officer who partners with Jung Do to ensure public safety.
During the event, director Kim Joo Hwan shared how he was inspired to make a film about this little-known profession after learning about a criminal with an electronic anklet living near his home. “I didn’t know much about this job until I started researching. It was fascinating to meet people working in this field, and I was deeply grateful for their dedication,” Kim said.
The film follows Lee Jung Do as he rescues a martial arts officer from a dangerous encounter and earns a commendation for his bravery. Recognizing his talent, Kim Sun Min offers him a position as a martial arts officer. While both actors admitted they were unfamiliar with the job, they expressed a deep appreciation for the hard work these officers do.
Kim Woo Bin, who underwent rigorous training for the role, revealed, “I trained for 3-4 hours a day, learning taekwondo, judo, and kendo all at once. I wanted to give my best to every move so that my character’s conviction would come through.” He also shared that he gained 8kg (approx. 17.6 lbs) to bulk up for the role, explaining, “I wanted to look strong and capable, like someone who could easily overpower an opponent.”
Additionally, the actor mentioned he bleached his hair to create a fresh look for the character, saying, “I wanted to show viewers a new side of me, so I even bleached my hair for the role. I also wanted to capture the gradual change in my character, from the hair color fading to even losing some weight as the story progressed.”
In addition to the physical transformation, Kim Woo Bin embraced the emotional journey of his character, saying, “It was interesting to play a guy who starts off just chasing thrills, but eventually finds a sense of purpose and duty in this job. I hope the audience feels the fun I experienced too.”
Co-star Kim Sung Kyun praised Kim Woo Bin’s action sequences, saying, “Woo Bin is tall and his movements have such impact. There’s a real weight to the way he fights, and it’s a fresh style of martial arts.” Kim Woo Bin humorously added that his co-star Kim Sung Kyun was one of the reasons he joined the project, saying, “Honestly, I took this role because of Sung Kyun,” giving a glimpse into their chemistry.
The dynamic between their characters brings a unique flavor to the film. Director Kim Joo Hwan, who considered whether to make Officer Black Belt a movie or a TV series, hinted at the potential for a sequel, saying, “If we’re lucky, there could be a second film. The first one lays the groundwork for Jung Do’s narrative and his chemistry with Sun Min.”
Meanwhile, Officer Black Belt premieres on Netflix on September 13th.
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