Ji Chang-wook: "Joining Yeoniverse... I've finally boarded the bus!" [Cannes★Interview] ②

*This content was translated by AI.

• Invited for Midnight Screening at the 79th Cannes Film Festival... Interview with actor Ji Chang-wook on the film 'COLONY'

Actor Ji Chang-wook shared his thoughts on joining the Yeoniverse (Yeon Sang-ho Universe).

On the 16th (local time), Ji Chang-wook held an interview for the film 'COLONY' (directed by Yeon Sang-ho) at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, in the afternoon, discussing the work. The film 'COLONY' was invited to the Midnight Screening section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival and met audiences at the Grand Lumière Theater through its official screening on the 15th.

'COLONY' is a film about isolated survivors inside a building sealed off by an unidentified infectious outbreak, fighting against infected individuals evolving in unpredictable forms. Director Yeon Sang-ho, a regular at Cannes, has been invited to the Cannes Film Festival for the fourth time, starting with his first feature-length animation 'King of Pigs' (2012, Directors' Fortnight), followed by 'Train to Busan' (2016, Midnight Screening), and 'Peninsula' (2020, Official Selection). Director Yeon Sang-ho, who has left a strong impression on the global film industry with genre films that add a Korean-style zombie twist and original variations, once again demonstrated the power of the father of Korean zombies through 'COLONY'.

In the film, Ji Chang-wook plays Choi Hyun-seok, a security team member at the Dongwuri Building, working alongside his sister Hyeon-hee (played by Kim Shin-rok) to reveal honest human psychology.

Sharing his impressions of attending the Cannes Film Festival for the first time, Ji Chang-wook said, "I watched the film for the first time at the Lumière Theater. I was very nervous and felt an indescribable emotion. I watched the film while sweating in that state. When will I get to come to Cannes again? I tried to see as many people as possible. It was so moving that so many audience members watched our film and applauded. I want to thank 'COLONY' once again."

Ji Chang-wook was surprised by the enthusiastic cheers from many fans calling his name on the 'COLONY' red carpet. He explained, "I was so grateful. We took photos together, signed autographs, and I did everything I could. I was told I could provide fan service from the car all the way to the end of the red carpet. There was plenty of time, and it was nice to be able to be together in a relaxed atmosphere."

Ji Chang-wook, who worked with director Yeon Sang-ho for the first time through 'COLONY', said, "I was so happy when I first received director Yeon Sang-ho's offer. I thought, 'I've finally boarded the (Yeon) bus.' He added, "Director Yeon's works are truly interesting. The subject matter is great, and the expressions within the work are excellent, so I was so happy. I empathized deeply with the character Hyun-seok, and it was so reassuring and empowering that Shin-rok is my sister."

Ji Chang-wook continued, "Working with director Yeon Sang-ho for the first time was not easy. Director Yeon is extremely clear on set. That clarity was unfamiliar at first. There was no room for interpretation. In fact, at first, I was a bit flustered and even scared. I even thought, 'There's no room for anything,' but the moment I understood that this is the director's style, I felt more at ease and wanted to express things well. If director Yeon Sang-ho were to propose working together again, I think it would be an even more fun project."

Meanwhile, 'COLONY', which was first unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival, will be released in Korea on the 21st.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.