The 2014 film, "The Pirates," was sold to 15 countries (USA, Japan, Germany, and more) at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Starring Korean superstars Son Ye Jin and Kim Nam Gil, the movie sailed as a box office hit that year.
"The Pirates" tells the story of the Ming Emperor's Seal of State that was swallowed by a giant whale. Whoever brings the seal back will get an enormous reward. Jang Sa Jung (Kim Nam Gil) and his people of bandits from the mountains set their sails to hunt the whale, and while sailing, they clash with a group of pirates headed by a female captain, named Yeo-Wol, played by Yon Se Jin.
While its sequel has been in talks for the two to three years, finally this 2020, the cast for the second installment has been completed, and they will start filming this July!
As per the confirmation of the movie's distributor, Lotte Entertainment, headlining the sequel are industry's big names: Han Hyo Joo, Lee Kwang Soo, Kwon Sang Woo, Chae Soo Bin, Kim Sung Oh, Park Ji Hwan, EXO's Sehun, and this year's Baeksang Arts Awards' Best Actor Kang Ha Neul.
The sequel will be titled "The Pirates: Goblin Flag" and will also sail on the sea. A group of people will embark on a journey to find the royal family of Goryeo's final treasure that disappeared mysteriously and without leaving a trace when the previous kingdom was taken over by the Joseon Dynasty.
Kang Ha Neul will play the righteous and honorable leader of the army, name Woo Moo Chi. He claims that he is the best swordsman in all of Goryeos. Meanwhile, the captain will be played by Han Hyo Joo, named Hae Rang.
A little trivia: the actor did all the scenes by himself with a body double. Kim Sung Oh will play as Kang Seob, and he is the leader's right hand.
Mak Yi will be played by Lee Kwang Soo, a pirate who likes to work alone and doesn't seek help from others. On the other hand, Kwon Sang Woo played Boo Heung Soo, who will be fighting the pirates in search of the hidden treasure.
A bold young woman, So Nyeo (Chae Soo Bin), will be boarding the pirate ship to join the search. Another pirate named Han Goongm, whose specialty is archery, will be played by EXO's Sehun. Watch out for his transformation!
So much so, Park Ji Hwan will play as Ah Gwi, the sub-captain of the pirate who follows the army's captain, Hae Rang.
Most probably, the sequel would not disappoint viewers since it will be a different plot and a different set of cast members. Though a different director will helm the film, Kim Jung Hoon, set your hopes high and be thrilled of the exhilarating action scenes and beautiful cinematography!
The screenplay will be headed by director and screenwriter Chun Sung Il, who was also the prequel's screenwriter.
"The Pirates" was viewed by 8.6 million moviegoers and generated USS 64 million. The sequel is expected to be another box office. But if you haven't seen the prequel, check out the trailer below!
