Hwang Seok-jeong and Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' Filming Secrets: "They Told Me to Do It My Way, So I Improvised"[Day & Night][Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actors Im Hyun-sik and Hwang Seok-jeong revealed behind-the-scenes stories from the filming of director Na Hong-jin's movie 'Hope'.

According to ratings survey company Nielsen Korea on the 30th, the the 29th broadcast of MBN's 'Kim Ju-ha's Day & Night' Episode 40, featuring Im Hyun-sik and Hwang Seok-jeong as guests, recorded a national peak viewership rating of 2.2%.

That day, Im Hyun-sik and Hwang Seok-jeong shared how they were cast in the movie 'Hope' (HOPE) after receiving director Na Hong-jin's personal invitation. Im Hyun-sik explained that the production team of 'Hope' came to him directly with a script, saying, "It was an honor to be approached by one of Korea's top two directors." He added, "I immediately agreed without hesitation," revealing how he came to play the role of Hae-sool.

He continued, "We filmed at a UNESCO World Heritage site in Romania, famous worldwide," and then recreated a key scene from 'Hope' where Hae-sool stands alone in a forest on the spot, drawing cheers from everyone present.

Hwang Seok-jeong had previously worked with director Na Hong-jin on 'The Yellow Sea' and 'The Wailing'. Upon receiving Na's call inviting him to join 'Hope', he said, "I'll take any role. I didn't even read the script properly before saying 'yes'," expressing his deep trust in the director. Playing the head of a health center in 'Hope', Hwang recalled how he was initially flustered when Na told him, "Just do it your way," but after some thought, he delivered an improvised performance that turned out perfectly, moving himself with the memory.

Im Hyun-sik, selected as the first batch of MBC public talent, reflected on his legendary roles that have become part of Korea's living room drama history. Known for winning numerous awards as "Sundori's dad" in 'One Roof Three Families', Im also shared behind-the-scenes details about 'Hae Jun', where he gained explosive popularity as "Hong Chun-i". Although the character of herbalist Im Oh-geun, whom Im portrayed, was only meant to appear briefly at the beginning and then exit, it unexpectedly became so popular that the role continued. Im humorously explained, "By the end, I even held Hae Jun's funeral," drawing laughter from the audience.

Hwang Seok-jeong also shared his bittersweet experience of being mistaken for a local due to his natural Yanbian dialect performance in 'The Yellow Sea'. He said, "I auditioned for over a month for a small role, yet people thought I was actually a Yanbian ethnic Korean. It was unfair that the actor's hard work wasn't recognized."

Later, Hwang Seok-jeong perfectly delivered the Yanbian dialect lines from 'The Yellow Sea' in various emotional tones as part of the viral "Emotional Acting Challenge" meme. When he performed a particularly sad line, host Kim Ju-ha exclaimed, "I suddenly felt tears welling up," and became visibly moved.

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*This content was translated by AI.