Dozens of movie enthusiasts lined up for hours outside the Toronto premiere of Harbin on Sunday, eagerly anticipating the chance to see Lee Dong-Wook and Hyun Bin, the Korean stars making their first on-screen collaboration in this historical drama. Their perseverance paid off with appearances on the red carpet by both actors, who are credited with the global rise in popularity of Korean culture.
"This is my first time here, and I am incredibly grateful and delighted to see my fans," Lee remarked. This marks the first TIFF screening for a film featuring the actor, who is perhaps most recognized for his breakthrough drama hit My Girl. Harbin tells the story of a small yet valiant resistance army that fought to liberate Korea from Japanese rule in the early 20th century. The struggle leads the freedom fighters to Harbin, a city in China's frigid northeast, where they execute a plan to assassinate Japan's first prime minister.
Directed by Woo Min-ho, whose credits include The Man Standing Next, South Korea’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2021 Academy Awards, Harbin is a testament to the director's skill. Outside the Toronto screening, a 26-year-old fan named Angelah expressed her excitement, having grown up watching K-dramas and being influenced by Korean films, K-pop, and Korean culture. For her, witnessing the actors at TIFF highlighted the far-reaching impact of these cultural influences.
"Seeing them transition from the screen to an in-person event here in Toronto is particularly exhilarating for me. Art truly knows no bounds, breaking down barriers and fostering connections between people, regardless of their origins," she said.
