Actress Han So Hee openly discussed her perspective on the pressure of adapting the original story of The Intern.
On Tuesday, Han So Hee, the lead actress of the film The Intern (directed by Kim Do-young), sat down for an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
The Intern follows the story of Seon-woo (played by Han So Hee), a rising star in the fashion industry who has transformed her company into a dark horse in just three years. The plot unfolds as she hires Gi-ho (played by Choi Min Sik), a silver intern with 37 years of experience, leading to an office dynamic that transcends age and rank. This latest project comes from director Kim Do-young, known for Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019) and What If (2025).
The film is a remake of the 2015 Hollywood hit starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. In this Korean adaptation, Han So-hee portrays Seon-woo, a driven and workaholic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who has rapidly grown her company, UtuTu, into an industry powerhouse in just three years. As Seon-woo grapples with the demands of her professional and personal life, she gradually rediscovers balance with the help of Gi-ho, a retired publishing veteran with 37 years of experience who becomes her intern.
During the interview, Han So Hee playfully countered Choi Min Sik’s previous statement about avoiding remakes, quipping that she’d actually like to do more. She elaborated that people often bring up the pressure when discussing remakes. For her, being part of a remake of such an acclaimed original is truly an honor. The actress admitted to feeling both pressure and excitement about bringing this beloved story to Korean audiences. While Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway’s performances were iconic, she knew that Choi Min Sik and her would bring something unique to these roles. That made the filming process really enjoyable, she shared.
Reflecting on stepping into Anne Hathaway’s shoes, Han So Hee revealed that when they were filming The Intern, The Devil Wears Prada 2 was about to release, which made her a bit nervous. However, she intentionally avoided rewatching the original to prevent unconscious imitation. She agreed with a senior actor who compared referencing the original to having an answer sheet during a test, she explained. They wanted to honor the original while interpreting it through the own lens, rather than simply replicating it.
Addressing Choi Min Sik’s comment about her dedication to the role, Han So Hee said that she believes everyone on set was giving their all, not just her. They collaborated on ideas and put a lot of thought into portraying the bond between the characters, despite their relatively short three-year relationship in the story.
Han So Hee also discussed her connection to Seon-woo, noting that she think they share a similar perfectionist streak rooted in insecurity. There are moments when the pressure to succeed pushes us to the limits. She added that while she appreciates working with highly efficient people, she also deeply values the personal connections she forms with those around her, much like Seon-woo.
The Intern is set to premiere in theaters on September 16.
