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The production team of the K-movie Harbin undertook on-location shoots in three different countries to capture the journey of the independence fighters.
Harbin is a thrilling espionage drama film set in 1909, about Korean independence activists fighting against the Japanese for Korea's independence.
The production team filmed in Mongolia, Latvia, and South Korea to bring this story to life with uncompromising realism. Director Woo Min Ho explained, "While making a film about independence fighters, I didn't want to shoot their turbulent journey in front of a blue screen. I believed that filming as close to their actual routes as possible would allow us to better connect with their spirit."
The released stills showcase the vastness of the Mongolian desert, the grandeur of Latvia’s modernist architecture, and the breathtaking landscapes of South Korea. In Harbin, Mongolia serves as a stand-in for Manchuria and Latvia for Vladivostok. South Korea's locations are featured as backdrops for various battle scenes.
Cinematographer Hong Kyung Pyo commented, "Thinking about how the young independence fighters traveled to places like Manchuria and the Russian Far East in those times, I couldn't help but feel humbled. It's extraordinary that they held such strong convictions at such a young age."
Not only South Korea's top cinematography team but also XM2, an aerial cinematography company renowned for its work on Hollywood films like Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and No Time to Die, also took part in the production of the K-movie. This addition promises awe-inspiring visuals.
Harbin opens on December 25 for the domestic audience.
