In the upcoming crime drama “Heart Blackened,” veteran actor Choi Min-sik plays the wealthy, elderly fiance of a young celebrity singer, played by Lee Ha-nee.

Choi, who most recently starred in “The Mayor,” plays the unfathomable conglomerate owner Im Tae-san who at once values wealth above all and is deeply infatuated with the singer.

“(That character) truly believes in the value of money, that it is everything. That is how the world actually works, and he is a character who has succeeded in that world,” Choi said after a press screening Tuesday at CGV Yongsan.

Choi Min-sik (left) and Lee Ha-nee star in “Heart Blackened.” (CJ Entertainment)

Choi was vocal in his praise of actress Lee. “To be honest, I was worried at first. But I was very surprised. I felt that she understands pain. I fell in love with her during the filming, with the depth and breadth of her heart,” he said.

Actress Lee plays Yu-na, a jazz singer with an uncomfortable past. There is friction between her and her fiance’s daughter Mi-ra, played by Lee Soo-kyung, and Yu-na is found dead in front of her apartment building.

“The film is a mature story about mature adults,” said Lee. “I saw in (actor Choi) a man I could love.”

Ryu Jun-yeol plays Kim Dong-myung, a fervent fan of Yu-na who collects CCTV footage of the singer.

“At times it is extreme and morally wrong, but (the character) only thought of that person and his choices were driven by love,” said Ryu.

Park Shin-hye plays Kim Hee-jung, a lawyer hired to defend the rebellious daughter.

Park expressed joy at acting alongside Choi. “It was something I had only dreamed of. I didn’t know what to do,” she said.

From left: Director Jung Ji-woo, Jo Han-cheol, Lee Soo-kyung, Park Hae-joon, Lee Ha-nee, Ryu Jun-yeol and Choi Min-sik attend a press conference for “Heart Blackened” Tuesday at Yongsan CGV. (Yonhap)

The film is the latest work by director Jung Ji-woo, who, in 2012 helmed the controversial “A Muse” about a romance between a 70-year-old poet and high school student.

Jung also directed the 2015 drama “4th Place,” which won an award at the Busan Film Critics Awards.

“Heart Blackened” is a remake of the 2013 Chinese film “Silent Witness,” written and directed by Fei Xing.

The film, a Yong Film production and distributed by CJ Entertainment, hits local theaters on Nov. 2.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)