“Shin Godzilla,” the latest film in the Godzilla franchise, features the series’ largest-ever Godzilla, at 118.5 meters tall.

In the movie, which opened in cinemas last week, Godzilla launches an assault on Japan with a ferociousness that surpasses that of the past films in the series. The governments of Japan and the United States face off against each other over how to stop the gigantic creature.

Hiroki Hasegawa and Satomi Ishihara play key persons in both governments.

“Shin Godzilla” is the 29th Godzilla film produced in this country. Of the past films in the series, both Hasegawa and Ishihara said the one that had the biggest impact on them was the first “Godzilla” (1954).

“I saw the film on video when I was a child and found it really scary,” Hasegawa said. “It also taught me how interesting Japanese films are.”

The first Godzilla was born as a result of a hydrogen bomb test.

“I think it required a lot of courage to produce such a film at that time,” Ishihara said. “I also think it’s incredible that the same character has been the central feature of films for more than 60 years.”

After the first film, Godzilla became best known for its onscreen battles against Mothra, King Ghidorah and other kaiju monsters. But the new film does not follow up on the stories or the settings of the past Godzilla films.

Hideaki Anno, famed as the director of the “Neon Genesis Evangelion” anime series, led the “Shin Godzilla” production team. He also wrote the script, creating a completely new story.

“I felt the pressure of making a Godzilla movie,” Ishihara said. “But Mr. Anno’s script is fantastic. It motivated me to not get eclipsed by it during the shoot.”

Anno was particularly committed to producing Godzilla with only computer-generated imagery.

Hasegawa said he was amazed at the result.

“It’s computer-generated, so when I was acting, I could only imagine Godzilla’s size,” he said. “When I saw the finished scenes [complete with Godzilla], I was shocked to see how different my imagination and Anno’s creativity were.”

The story is set in Japan, where panic ensues in the face of Godzilla’s onslaught. Hasegawa plays Yaguchi, the deputy chief cabinet secretary, who disagrees with the government’s policy of demanding that all requests made to the government be submitted in writing. Refusing to follow precedent, Yaguchi leads the frontline personnel in the battle against Godzilla.

“Yaguchi is a classic Japanese hero,” Hasegawa said. “He shows leadership within an organisation and helps strengthen solidarity. He eventually becomes someone who symbolizes the hope of Japan’s future.”

The character Kayoco Anne Patterson, played by Ishihara, is a special envoy of the US president and becomes Yaguchi’s partner in the story.

Kayoco, whose grandmother is Japanese, is a daughter of a US senator.

“Her father has power, so she’s a very confident person,” Ishihara said. “But Yaguchi’s words make her aware of her Japanese roots. It’s also the story of how she develops as a person.”

The title “Shin Godzilla” apparently embraces various meanings. “Shin” in the title is written in katakana and can be taken to mean different things. “‘Shin’ can mean ‘new,’ ‘god’ or ‘true.’ All these elements are included [in the film],” Hasegawa said. “I guess this film can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the person who watches it.”

Ishihara said she wanted to add one more meaning, “shin” from the word “shinjiru” (to believe), to the other options.

“While playing my role, there were times when I recalled the devastation after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011,” she said. “There are issues we shouldn’t avoid looking at, such as nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. I thought I must learn what to believe, albeit with a certain degree of skepticism. Godzilla has helped me mature a great deal.”

According to K-pop group Big Bang, the past decade has been a whirlwind of training, recording, performing and creating. Now, the band members say, they’re able to see the bigger picture.

“How to develop our style in the future is one of the biggest things on my mind right now,” said G-Dragon at a press conference celebrating the group’s 10-year anniversary in northeastern Seoul Thursday.

“It’s not just about music anymore. I want to do something that can support all the people in Korea and the world who see us and are inspired to do their own thing.”

Since its 2006 debut, Big Bang has been lauded for its progressive, partially self-produced pop, experimental fashion and glitzy performances. Now arguably at the top of the K-pop boy band ladder, the members feel as if they’re able to stretch their artistic sides further.

“I think I’m finally at a place where I can do the things I dreamed about doing as a singer,” said Taeyang.

“I want to do something that has a positive impact, whatever that might be. After 10 years, it feels like I can see past the music and the stage, and see everything now.”

The group, which has released numerous singles and three studio albums — the latest album “M.A.D.E” was released in four parts throughout last year — said its breakthrough came in 2011, when it won Best Worldwide Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

“I think that was our turning point,” said Taeyang.

The members also expressed gratitude toward their fans, both domestic and global, for allowing them to be there.

“When I was young, It didn’t really hit home that we were so loved,” said T.O.P. “Only now do I look back and feel grateful that (Big Bang members) were by each other’s side every day.”

“It still feels surreal,” said Daesung.

On the popularity of Big Bang’s songs among non-Korean speakers, G-Dragon pointed to the universality of music.

“When I was young and didn’t know any English, I was drawn by the energy and power of foreign songs, and their melodies,” said G-Dragon. “I think these days, music that is entertaining and exciting attracts listeners.”

BigBang at Singapore Indoor Stadium

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YG Entertainment, Launch Entertainment, Lushington Entertainment, Nurul Atikah, Instagram, SPH Razor

Exhibition A to Z

Big Bang had earlier announced plans to showcase various events as the band marks its 10th anniversary this year. A movie of its world tour was screened in June and the band will hold a concert this month.

On Thursday, it opened an exhibition that traces the group’s past, titled “Big Bang Exhibition A to Z.”

“I became a member of Big Bang when I was in my late teens. Now I’m in my late 20s,” said Seungri. “This exhibition has 10 years of our members’ youth and passion in it.”

“We tried to come up with the best way to share our memories with fans and offer someplace where they can have a special experience,” said Taeyang on the exhibition.

“A to Z,” located in S-Factory in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, takes a look back at the past decade of the K-pop group’s practice sessions, concerts and many activities. Included are pieces of a wall from YG Entertainment’s previous building, on which fans scribbled messages of support for the boy band; video clips of Big Bang’s world tour concerts on a towering surround-screen; a pile of clothing worn by Big Bang members in past performances arranged as an installation art piece; and laser art by Chinese artist Liu Dao.