FLU

- Press Kit -

【 W A R N I N G 】

This area is infected with H5N1 avian influenza.

As per KCDC's protocol, this area is restricted and access is forbidden.

Please follow the infection prevention steps below. If you exhibit or have seen anyone with

symptoms such as coughing, high fever, skin rash or other common cold symptoms, please

report to the nearest emergency response facility.

INFECTION PREVENTION STEPS

Step 1: Put on a mask

Step 2: Refrain from contact with the outside world

Step 3: Transfer immediately to a nearby quarantine facility

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title FLU

Genre Action, Thriller

Language Korean with English subtitles

Running Time 122 minutes

Rating NR

Production I Love Cinema, iFilm Corp.

Presented by CJ Entertainment

Distributed by CJ Entertainment

Director KIM Sung-soo

Cast JANG Hyuk, SU Ae,

PARK Min-ha, YOO Hae-jin,

MA Dong-suk, LEE Hui-joon

Exclusive Engagement August 16th, 2013 (CGV Cinemas, Los Angeles)

General Release August 30th, 2013

Original Release August 15th, 2013

SYNOPSIS

Airborne virus, 3.4 infections per second, 100% fatality. The most dangerous virus in world

will overtake the Korean peninsula!

A human trafficker is infected with an unknown virus and dies in a Bundang hospital,

covered in red rashes and coughing up blood. In less than 24 hours since the death of the

first patient, similar cases of disease-related deaths are reported all over Bundang. The

medics despair over the super virus that has no known cure, but they soon find hope when

they hear of a sole survivor who may have developed antibodies against this ruthless viral

mutation. As medical professionals rush to find the sole individual with the potential key for

a cure, fatalities rise and soon the government has no choice but to quarantine the city.

Amidst the ensuing panic, wild desperation, and violence, the struggle for life between the

infected and non-infected begins to spiral out of control.

ABOUT THE STORY

The people depicted in FLU are civilians who are faced with a deadly situation they have no

control over and consequently fall prey to a deadly virus. To make matters worse, their

government quarantines them into a massive segregation camp, ignoring the risk of

potentially infecting even more people by gathering them in a tightly occupied space. As the

people realize their doomed fate, they slowly reveal their true nature: some selfless but

many more selfish.

FLU is a delicate balance of two stories – in different scales but derived from the same

scenario – told through the heroine In-hye. On an individual level, In-hye is a single mother

fighting the virus to protect the life of her only child. On a larger scale, she is also a virologist

and part of the national effort to contain the virus within the boundaries of Bundang, where

her daughter is in risk of infection, until a cure is found.

While FLU shares a similar viral disaster circumstance as Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 film

CONTAGION, it is vastly focused on the personal stories of the victims. FLU not only stays

true to its genre of a medical thriller disaster film but also delves into the personal struggles

of every character, from In-hye’s fight for her daughter’s life to an unnamed soldier’s

sacrifice for his mother.

While FLU stays true to its genre of a medical thriller disaster film CONTAGION drives the

storyline by focusing on the search for a cure and investigating the origins of a deadly virus.

Both traditional subjects are dealt in FLU, but they are merely supporting plot points for the

personal struggles of every character, from In-hye’s fight for her daughter’s life to an

unnamed soldier’s sacrifice for his mother.

FLU is a web of personal stories of desperation, hope, violence, love, vengeance, and

camaraderie. Scenes of thrilling violence and gore are juxtaposed with moments that lift the

spirit and faith in the goodness of humankind. This summer, FLU delivers all the thrills of a

disaster film and portrays our capacity for compassion and love even in times of escalating

terror.

MAJOR INFLUENZA IN HISTORY

1918 Spanish Flu: 500 million infections, 50-100 million deaths (3-5% of world population)

1957 Asian Flu: 1-4 million deaths

1968 Hong Kong Flu: 1 million deaths

1977 Russian Flu: 1 million deaths

2003 SARS: 8,000 infections, 775 deaths

2009 Swine Flu: 284,000 deaths

February 2013: the avian influenza H9N7 is found in China

Variations and mutations of the common cold virus still haunt humankind to this day. What

will happen when a new type of virus, which takes the form of a common cold, renders

humans completely defenseless against it? This terrifying idea was the genesis of FLU.

The devastating force of nature in FLU is the avian influenza H5N1, an already existing virus

virologists have marked as a potential threat to the human race that requires special

attention and constant monitoring. What if this virus could be transferred from human to

human? FLU plays out this what-if scenario with characters reacting to the pandemic.

WHAT IS THE AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS?

Known informally as avian flu or bird flu, it refers to an "influenza caused by viruses adapted

to birds." "Bird flu" is a phrase similar to "swine flu” in that it refers to an illness caused by

any of many different strains of influenza viruses that have adapted to a specific host. Its

most highly pathogenic strain (H5N1) has been spreading throughout Asia since 2003,

eventually reached Europe in 2005, and infiltrated the Middle East as well as Africa the

following year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the outbreak of the

avian flu in 2009 as the 21st century’s first pandemic.

CHARACTERS & CAST

BUNDANG ERT // JIGU

As a Bundang Emergency Response Team member, Jigu is extremely empathic and has the

innate desire to do good for others. One day on the job, he rescues In-hye from a

construction site accident and becomes immediately smitten with the attractive but sharp-

tongued woman. Following that chance encounter, Jigu meets In-hye’s daughter Mirre, and

when a deadly virus takes the city by storm, he becomes the girl's protector. Despite the

obvious perils, Jigu stays true to his job and nature, refusing to stand idly and let innocent

civilians die.

JANG Hyuk

As one of the most talented Korean actors on television and film, JANG Hyuk first garnered

national popularity with his role as a charismatic rebel in the TV drama SCHOOL (1999). He

has jumped between television and film since then. In 2010’s CHUNO and 2011’s TREE WITH

DEEP ROOTS, he won many accolades and his works received some of the highest ratings in

those years. He continued to display his solid acting skills in various films such as VOLCANO

HIGH, WINDSTRUCK, and THE CLIENT. In FLU, he plays a selfless emergency response staff

who stops at nothing to save people in danger.

FILMOGRAPHY

IRIS 2 (TV, 2013), THE CLIENT (2011), TREE WITH DEEP ROOTS (TV, 2011), MIDAS (TV, 2011),

CHUNO (TV, 2010), MAYBE (2009), FIVE SENSES OF EROS (2009), SEARCHING FOR THE

ELEPHANT (2009), TAZZA (TV, 2008), ROBBER (TV, 2008), DANCE OF THE DRAGON (2007),

THANK YOU (TV, 2007), S DIARY (2004), WINDSTRUCK (2004), PLEASE TEACH ME ENGLISH

(2003), PUBLIC TOILET (2002), JUNGLE JUICE (2002), GREAT AMBITION (TV, 2002),

SUCCESSFUL STORY OF A BRIGHT GIRL (TV, 2002), VOLCANO HIGH (2001), INTO THE

SUNLIGHT (TV, 1999), SCHOOL (TV, 1999), ZZANG (1998), MODEL (TV, 1997)

SELECTED AWARDS

2011 SBS Drama Awards - Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Production (TREE WITH

DEEP ROOTS)

2011 SBS Drama Awards - Top 10 Stars (MIDAS)

2010 KBS Drama Awards - Grand Prize (THE SLAVE HUNTERS)

2010 Seoul International Drama Awards - Best Actor, Outstanding Korean Drama Prize

Category (THE SLAVE HUNTERS)

2008 SBS Drama Awards - Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Production (TAZZA)

2008 West Hollywood International Film Festival - Best Actor (DANCE OF THE DRAGON)

2007 MBC Drama Awards - Golden Acting Award, Actor in a Miniseries (THANK YOU)

2002 SBS Drama Awards - Top Excellence Award, actor (GREAT AMBITION, SUCCESSFUL

STORY OF A BRIGHT GIRL)

CHARACTERS & CAST

BUNDANG HOSPITAL VIROLOGIST // IN-HYE

In-hye is a single mother and a virologist living in Bundang. She is rescued by Jigu from an

accident and afterwards their paths continue to cross through Mirre. When In-hye’s hospital

reports the first local case of the avian influenza H5N1 virus, the city turns upside down in

panic, fear, and desperation. As the citizens attempt to migrate out of the city, In-hye

realizes that her daughter is in danger just by being in the city and requests Jigu's help. Can

she obtain an antibody in time to save her daughter and put the end to this dangerous

madness spiraling out of control?

SU Ae

In 2002, SU Ae made her debut as a veiled mysterious beauty in a small but significant role

in the TV drama THE GLORY ERA OF THE MAENG'S. She then landed main roles in the film A

FAMILY and the TV drama EMPEROR OF THE SEA, sweeping Best Actress awards that year at

various award ceremonies. She again won many awards for her titular role in 2008’s SUNNY,

as well as the hearts of many of her fans. Unlike SU Ae’s other frail and soft-spoken roles in

the past, the character In-hye is a tough virologist and a loving mother, who is determined

to find the cure for the virus that threatens to wipe out humanity.

FILMOGRAPHY

YAWANG (TV, 2012), A THOUSAND DAYS' PROMISE (TV, 2011), MIDNIGHT F.M. (2010),

ATHENA: GODDESS OF WAR (TV, 2010), THE SWORD WITH NO NAME (2009), SUNNY (2008),

BOTTOM OF THE 9TH 2 OUTS (TV, 2007), ONCE IN A SUMMER (2006), MY WEDDING

CAMPAIGN (2005), A FAMILY (2004), EMPEROR OF THE SEA (TV, 2004), APRIL KISS (TV,

2004), MERRY GO ROUND (TV, 2003), LOVE LETTER (TV, 2003), THE GLORY ERA OF THE

MAENG'S (TV, 2002), SCHOOL 2 (TV, 1999)

SELECTED AWARDS

2011 SBS Drama Awards - Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Special Production (A

THOUSAND DAYS' PROMISE)

2010 Blue Dragon Film Awards - Best Actress (MIDNIGHT F.M.)

2009 Grand Bell Awards - Best Actress (SUNNY)

2008 Golden Cinematography Awards - Popularity Award (SUNNY)

2008 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards - Best Actress (SUNNY)

2005 KBS Drama Awards - Excellence Award, Actress (EMPEROR OF THE SEA)

2005 Baeksang Arts Awards - Best New Actress (A FAMILY)

2004 Korean Film Awards - Best New Actress (A FAMILY)

2004 Blue Dragon Film Awards - Best New Actress (A FAMILY)

CHARACTERS & CAST

JIGU’S FAITHFUL COLLEAGUE // KYUNG-UP

Fun-loving and playful Kyung-up decides to risk his own life and help his friend Jigu. Whilst

enduring all the maltreatment at the hands of the authority in the quarantine zone during

the outbreak, he does not lose his sense of humor and is the prime source of comic relief in

the film.

YOO Hae-jin

After collaborating with director KIM Sung-soo in MUSA-THE WARRIOR, YOO had to have a

place in KIM's comeback film. He has continuously been casted in high profile box office hits

such as KING AND THE CLOWN, TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS, MOSS, and THE UNJUST over the

years. His face became known as a seal of quality comedy and he will no doubt steal the

scenes from his co-stars.

CHARACTERS & CAST

FORMER HIGH-RANKING OFFICER // GUK-HWAN

Previously a high ranking officer in the military, Guk-hwan assumes a position of leadership

when the viral outbreak takes hold of Bundang. When he is forced into the quarantine zone,

he uses every ounce of authority and connections he once had in order to amass power and

take advantage of others. He's a violent and ruthlessly vicious character who abuses his

position to survive.

MA Dong-suk

MA's career has reached a high point in recent years, playing many important roles in THE

NEIGHBORS, NAMELESS GANGSTER, LOVE 911, THE UNJUST and as a baseball newscaster in

MR. GO. He is an ominous presence in FLU, as a selfish former military officer who possess a

deadly agenda to ensure his survival.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

WRITER AND DIRECTOR KIM Sung-soo

After 10 long years of absence, KIM is now back with Korean cinema’s first ever viral

outbreak film FLU.

During the late 90s golden age of Korean film industry, KIM’s hit movie BEAT (1997)

catapulted JUNG Woo-sung and KO So-young into stardom, and a year later, CITY OF THE

RISING SUN (1998) became KIM’s consecutive hit and confirmed the mega star status of

JUNG Woo-sung and LEE Jung-jae. His film MUSA-THE WARRIOR (2001) was highly regarded

for its tight-knit story, massive scale, and stylish visuals.

In the early '90s, director KIM started his apprenticeship in the film industry by working on

films such as BLUE IN YOU, BERLIN REPORT, THEY WERE LIKE US as a writer, prop master,

and assistant director. The first movie he directed SCREAM CITY (1993) was highly praised

and won the Critic's Award at the 20th Seoul Independent Film Festival.

With FLU, director KIM conveys the intense and unnerving social reactions to a pandemic by

exploring how individual characters bend existing rules for both selfish and selfless reasons.

FILMOGRAPHY

PLEASE TEACH ME ENGLISH (2003), MUSA-THE WARRIOR (2001), CITY OF THE RISING SUN

(1998), BEAT (1997), RUN AWAY (1995), SCREAM CITY (1993)

AWARD

1994 Seoul Independent Film Festival – Critic’s Special Award (SCREAM CITY)

CREDIT BLOCK (INTERNATIONAL)

CJ ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

AN iLOVECINEMA/iFILM PRODUCTION A KIM SUNG-SOO FILM

JANG HYUK SU AE “FLU”

MUSIC BY KIM TAE-SUNG VFX SUPERVISOR RYU JAE-HWAN (4TH CREATIVE PARTY)

SPECIAL MAKE UP HWANG HYO-KYUN KWAK TAE-YONG (CELL)

SPECIAL EFFECTS DEMOLITION PRODUCTION SOUND MIXED BY LEE BYUNG-HA (LIVE)

SOUND BY CHOI TAE-YOUNG (LIVETONE)

COSTUME DESIGNED BY KIM KYEONG-MI MAKE UP LEE KYUNG-JA

PRODUCTION DESIGNED BY PARK IL-HYEON (NEWIMAGE) EDITED BY NAM NA-YOUNG

LIGHTING LEE SUNG-HWAN CINEMATOGRAPHER LEE MO-GAE

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEONG TAE-SUNG ASSOCIATE PRODUCER BANG OK-KYUNG

PRODUCEDY BY TEDDY JUNG PRODUCER KIM SEONG-JIN

ORIGINAL STORY BY JUNG JAE-HO

SCREENPLAY WRITTEN BY LEE YEONG-JONG KIM SUNG-SOO

DIRECTED BY KIM SUNG-SOO

ⓒ 2013 CJ E&M CORPORATION, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

LOGOS: CJ ENTERTAINMENT, iLOVECINEMA, iFILM