Actor Ha Jung-woo is reportedly set to take on a leading role in the highly anticipated new Inside Men film trilogy, marking the return of one of South Korea’s most successful political noir franchises.
According to an exclusive report from Korean media on June 17, Ha Jung-woo has received an offer to star in the upcoming three-part adaptation and is currently reviewing the proposal.
The original Inside Men was based on the webtoon of the same name by Yoon Tae-ho. The film explored corruption, betrayal, and power struggles among politicians, media organizations, conglomerates, and prosecutors in South Korea. Directed by Woo Min-ho, the 2015 blockbuster starred Lee Byung-hun, Cho Seung-woo, and Baek Yoon-sik. Upon its release in November 2015, the film became a major box-office success, attracting more than 7 million moviegoers and cementing its status as one of Korea’s most acclaimed political thrillers.
Production company Hive Media Corp announced in March that Inside Men would be revived as a trilogy. The project was initially planned as a television series under director Mo Wan-il, with a cast reportedly including Song Kang-ho, Koo Kyo-hwan, Soo Ae, and Lee Sung-min.
However, the project underwent significant restructuring. The series format was abandoned in favor of a three-film franchise, and much of the original casting lineup was replaced as the production entered a new phase.
Unlike the 2015 movie, the new trilogy will reportedly function as a prequel. Set in the late 1980s, the films will explore events that occurred before the story depicted in Inside Men, expanding the franchise’s political universe and providing deeper insight into the origins of its key power players.
The trilogy will be co-directed by:
- Kim Min-beom, who previously served as an assistant director on 12.12: The Day.
- Kim Jin-seok, known for adapting Made in Korea.
Ha Jung-woo remains one of South Korea’s most prominent actors, consistently balancing film and television projects. In 2025, he appeared in the films Lobby and The People Upstairs, both of which he also directed or headlined. He also returned to television through the drama Mad Concrete Dreams, which concluded its run earlier this year. With negotiations reportedly underway, industry observers are already speculating about which character Ha Jung-woo could portray in the reimagined Inside Men universe.
The Inside Men trilogy has reportedly been in pre-production since last year. Current plans call for Parts 1 and 2 to be filmed simultaneously this year, while Part 3 is expected to enter production next year. Casting for major roles is still ongoing.
If finalized, Ha Jung-woo’s participation would add another heavyweight name to one of the most ambitious Korean film projects currently in development.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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