'Hope' Hwang Jung-min: "Jeong Ho-yeon is truly a fearless friend" [Cannes ★ Interview] ③

*This content was translated by AI.

• Invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival... Interview with Hwang Jung-min on the film 'Hope'

Actor Hwang Jung-min praised Jeong Ho-yeon, with whom he first worked alongside director Na Hong-jin in 'Hope'.

On the 18th (local time), Hwang Jung-min held an interview for the film 'Hope' (directed by Na Hong-jin) at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes, France, where the 79th Cannes International Film Festival is being held, and shared stories related to the work. 'Hope' is a story that begins when 'Beom-seok', the head of the Pohang outpost located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news from local youths that a tiger has appeared, causing the entire village to go on high alert as he encounters an unbelievable reality.

The film 'Hope', directed by Na Hong-jin and released 10 years after 'The Wailing', had its world premiere at the Grand Lumière Theater on the 17th, followed by approximately seven minutes of standing ovation. 'Hope' is a thriller that also features aliens, captivating audiences worldwide as a science fiction film.

Hwang Jung-min, working with director Na Hong-jin for the second time after 'The Wailing' in 'Hope', plays the role of 'Beom-seok', the head of the Pohang outpost. Portraying 'Beom-seok', who struggles between the sense of responsibility to protect the village and the fear of an unknown presence, Hwang Jung-min leads the film with delicate and humanistic acting.

Hwang Jung-min expressed his affection for actor Jeong Ho-yeon, with whom he continues to work together in this film. Hwang Jung-min said, "Jeong Ho-yeon was truly a fearless friend. Since Ho-yeon was not used to driving during the car chase action scenes, he practiced a lot, including drifting. Anyway, I had to sit right next to him, so I acted while saying, 'Ho-yeon, take it slow, gently.' I told him that even going slowly would be enough to show the scene. Thanks to Ho-yeon, all those moments came out well. He was truly fearless." He added, "What I am grateful to Jeong Ho-yeon for is that when you have a partner next to you who fully delivers 100% of their role, it becomes energy for your own acting. I am truly grateful for that part."

Hwang Jung-min also said, "And Ho-yeon mentioned that this is his first time in the film genre. So even though it must have been scary and difficult, I am truly grateful that he gave 110% of himself."

In the film, Hwang Jung-min runs non-stop at a fast pace until the middle of the movie. Hwang Jung-min stated, "We even shot scenes where I ran from morning until the end. But I run quite well. I also enjoy running, and I have never said, 'It's too hard, I can't run anymore,' so I think I am managing well." He explained, "It was just difficult because I wore Western boots and had to run with my toes curled. So when my feet were visible, I wore boots, and when they weren't, I wore sneakers and ran. Later, as the boots stretched and fit my feet better, I found it too troublesome to change shoes, so I just ran in the boots."

Meanwhile, the Cannes International Film Festival will announce the winners among this year's competition entries at the closing ceremony on the 23rd. It is expected to see whether director Na Hong-jin's new science fiction film 'Hope' will be honored with an award at the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival.

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*This content was translated by AI.