“Oldboy 4K” The miraculous encounter between Park Chan-wook and legendary manga author Mari Karina Interview with original manga editor Masayuki Hirata

A man who was imprisoned for 15 years without knowing why. One day he is suddenly released. Who on earth imprisoned the man, and for what purpose, and then released him...? `` Oldboy '', produced in 2003, was a symbolic work that foretold the great breakthrough that would follow in Korean cinema. Director Park Chan-wook's unique visual expression and storytelling style were received with great shock, and the film was awarded the Korean film industry's first Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

This work is based on the manga `` Loose Oldboy '' (written by Garon Tsuchiya (Mare Karina) / illustrated by Nobuaki Minegishi), which was serialized in Manga Action from 1996 to 1998. How did Park Chan-wook come across the manga, which was not a hit in Japan at the time?

To commemorate the release of "Oldboy 4K," we interviewed Masayuki Hirata, who was the editor in charge of the original work. I was able to hear a lot about not only the movie, but also the original author, Marei Karibune. Mr. Karinade is also the original author of ` `A Homance '' (1986), `` Steam Sniper '' (2009 TV), and ` `Hard Core '' (18), and is an important figure when discussing Japanese movies and dramas. . Unfortunately, Mr. Karinade passed away in 2018, but this was a valuable interview that sheds light on his work as a legendary original author.

*This article touches on the core of the story, so we recommend reading it after watching the movie.

Index

• Why a manga that didn't sell became a Korean movie
• Boldly reorganized last part
• Mari Karina, the original author who is particular about visualization.
• Things to know as an editor learned from the legendary original author

Why a manga that didn't sell became a Korean movie

Q: I read “ Loose Oldboy ” serialized in Manga Action when I was a student. I was very surprised that it was suddenly made into a movie in Korea in 2003, after the series ended. What did you think of " Oldboy " now in 4K?

Hirata: It brought back memories from 18 years ago. I felt that watching it on a big screen with beautiful images gave me a completely different impression than watching it on DVD at home.

Q: How did you receive the offer to make a movie from director Park Chan-wook at the time?

Hirata: I received a call from Futabasha's copyright management department saying, ``We have received an offer from South Korea to make it into a movie.'' At that time, `` Oldboy '' wasn't selling at all, so I was like, ``Whatever you want, go ahead.'' The original author, Mari Karina, and the illustrator, Nobuaki Minegishi, also felt the same way. My perception of Korean movies was completely different than it is now, and my only impression was that they were making movies in Korea as well. Although we gave permission to make it into a movie, there was no contact from the Korean side after that, and everyone forgot about it.

Q: Did you not check the script?

Hirata: I didn't do anything. Then, after a while, I found out on the internet news that the movie had been completed, and I was surprised. I also learned from the news that the film has begun screening in South Korea and is said to be the highest-grossing movie of all time. I contacted the Korean side and said, ``Please send me the video right away,'' but they didn't send it to me, so I was like, ``What's going on?'' (laughs) It was decided that it would be distributed in Japan, but even the people at the distribution company hadn't seen it at that point (lol). The day before the preview screening, I finally received the VHS tape without subtitles and delivered it to Mr. Karinade. I said, ``I don't think you need to see it because there's a preview screening tomorrow,'' but Mr. Karinade called me right after seeing it. "I don't know what the lines are saying, but it might be a great movie!"

"Oldboy 4K" © 2003 EGG FILMS Co., Ltd. all rights reserved.

Q: Isn't it amazing that the original author is not checked before the movie is made?

Hirata: It was a rough time (lol). That would be impossible now.

Q: Afterwards, you saw Mr. Karinade and Mr. Minegishi again at the preview screening, what was their reaction?

Hirata: I was just like, "Wow!" Immediately after watching the preview, Mr. Karinade got up from his seat and raised his fist in a fist pump.

Q: I heard that Mr. Karinade bought movie soundtracks and always played them at work.

Hirata: I think I had about 10 CDs with the same soundtrack. I bought several for my home, work, car, and even to give to people. That's how much I liked it.

Q: I heard that director Park Chan-wook first became interested in “ Oldboy ” after director Bong Joon-ho recommended it to him.

Hirata: About once every three months, they had a drinking party where they talked about Japanese manga, and director Bong Joon-ho suggested, ``Director Park seems to like this, so why not make it into a movie?'' . I'm glad I got the offer because I had published a Korean version.

Boldly reorganized last part