The lineup is solid and the story intriguing for Age of Innocence, a new movie project in the works set in the Joseon era that headlines Shin Ha-kyun (All About My Romance, Brain) and Kang Haneul (Heirs, Monstar) in a father-son match-up.
The central premise is of a gisaeng who initially sets out to get close to the hero intending revenge, but ends up gradually falling for him instead. It’s hardly a novel conflict but the setting adds interest; the film is set in the late 14th century, in the nascent years of the Joseon dynasty after overthrowing Goryeo. Shin Ha-kyun was cast first and plays a warrior who wielded his sword at the command of his nation; Kang Haneul plays his son.
Jang Hyuk is another name who is potentially attached, though I wonder if he’d really take a role as the hero’s right-hand man, unless that role is a lot more important than it sounds. The movie promises to tell a story of love, betrayal, loyalty, and revenge—all the trademarks of an epic sageuk blockbuster. I could get onboard that.
Directing is Ahn Sang-hoon of the thriller Blind, and already Age of Innocence is drawing comparisons as a Korean version of Lust, Caution. It has yet to begin production, so I’m going to suppose that’s mostly an aspirational claim. Age of Innocence plans to begin filming in April.
