Aliens have appeared..Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon in 'Hope' Beyond Imagination [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Aliens have appeared. Director Na Hong-jin returns with his fourth film, 'Hope,' ten years after 'The Wailing' (2016), to captivate audiences. The film promises unparalleled entertainment that keeps viewers glued to the screen from start to finish, along with a powerful lingering impression that stays with them long after the credits roll.

On the 6th, a press screening for the film 'Hope' (directed by Na Hong-jin) was held at MegaBox COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Director Na Hong-jin and actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon attended the event.

'Hope' begins with a story set in Pohang, where 'Beom-seok,' the head of a remote outpost located in the Demilitarized Zone, learns from local youths that a tiger has appeared, triggering an alert across the entire town as he confronts an unbelievable reality.

Director Na Hong-jin, who has repeatedly challenged himself with new stories that transcend genre boundaries, presents 'Hope' as a unique narrative exploring the stark differences and misunderstandings between humans and aliens, delivered through original storytelling and compelling visuals.

Na Hong-jin stated, "We completed the storyboard and storyboards a year before filming began, then spent a long time discussing with the staff how to bring them to life on set. I wanted to shoot without compromise, strictly following the script and storyboards. The preparation process to achieve this goal was lengthy."

He continued, "Once the film ends, what comes next is easy to imagine. While each audience member may have different visions, it felt like no matter what we showed, it would become a scene in their imagination. I thought it would be best for the film to conclude here."

The director emphasized, "Personally, I considered ending it at night, but I decided against it. Adding more might make it redundant. Even if this story isn't perfect, I believe it definitely has completeness."

To express the contrast and unfamiliarity between humans and aliens in 'Hope,' Na Hong-jin aimed to cast Korean actors for the people of Pohang and foreign actors for the alien characters.

Na Hong-jin said, "About seven or eight years ago, after 'The Wailing,' I cast senior actor Hwang Jung-min in another project, but that project never materialized. At the time, we were preparing a dark film that would clearly receive an age-restricted rating for viewers under 15, but during the scriptwriting process, we shifted direction to what is now 'Hope.'"

He added, "Senior Hwang didn't rush me; instead, one day he called to ask if I could work on another project. I apologized at that time. Then, five or six years later, when the script was finally completed, I contacted him again, and thankfully, he readily agreed."

He further stressed, "The character 'Beom-seok' was developed with senior Hwang Jung-min in mind from the very beginning of the scriptwriting stage. It was an inevitable and natural casting choice."

Na Hong-jin also revealed the background behind Jo In-sung's casting. The director said, "Whenever actors around me talked about their experiences working with senior Jo In-sung, they all spoke highly of him. It was almost unbelievable. Director Ryu Seung-wan also praised him greatly, and while watching his work, I felt there must be something special."

He continued, "I gained confidence that we could do well together. When we actually worked together, his focus, attitude on set, and various qualities as an actor were truly admirable. I was deeply grateful, and we remain close friends to this day."

Jung Ho-yeon's casting began with a recommendation from Hwang Jung-min. Na Hong-jin recalled, "Senior Hwang Jung-min strongly suggested that I meet and talk with actor Jung Ho-yeon. I didn't know why at the time, but after meeting him directly and talking for about two hours, it was incredibly enjoyable."

He added, "He naturally embodied the image I had envisioned for the character. Although he is an extremely busy actor, we actively persuaded him to join us."

Hwang Jung-min plays 'Beom-seok,' the head of a remote outpost in Pohang, marking his second collaboration with director Na Hong-jin following 'The Wailing.'

He admitted that acting based solely on imagination was a first for him. "It wasn't a familiar approach even for actors," he said, adding, "I spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to maximize imagination in acting."

He further explained, "While there were specific requests regarding the height of the character in front of me and where to direct my gaze, in reality, there was nothing there at all. It required particularly calculated acting."

He added, "Since I couldn't adjust my performance based on co-actors' reactions, it seems even more rigorous calculation was required."

Jo In-sung dominates the screen with raw, wild charm and intense action sequences that show no restraint through his character 'Seong-gi,' who possesses an extraordinary survival instinct.

He said, "The final action sequence was the most difficult scene. It seems even senior Hwang (Jung-min) and (Jung) Ho-yeon, who drove alongside me, found it challenging to synchronize. I saw it with my own eyes, and considering how hard we worked on it, I feel it turned out to be a magnificent scene—a moment of great pride and well-deserved effort."

He also spoke about the action scenes involving horseback riding. Jo In-sung revealed that he dedicated himself to equestrian training for approximately three months in preparation for filming.

He said, "I practiced two or three times a week for three months. I tried to get used to it by riding hills within the permitted area and synchronizing my breathing with the horses, but it wasn't easy."

He added, "Unlike cars or motorcycles, horses are living animals. If their condition doesn't match mine, they can suddenly brake at any moment, going against my intentions. I realized anew how difficult it is to synchronize with a horse."

He concluded, "Acting is always a process of learning, and this work provided a great opportunity for me to learn horseback riding as well."

Jung Ho-yeon portrays 'Seong-ae,' a police officer in Pohang who faithfully carries out his duties under any circumstances. He personally handles thrilling car chases, drifts, and firearm action sequences including grenade launchers, adding powerful energy to the film.

Jung Ho-yeon, who is meeting domestic audiences through 'Hope,' expressed gratitude: "It was a tremendous challenge for me. Rather than communicating verbally with the other actors, our dialogue happened through eye contact, so keeping up with that pace was difficult. However, by the end, I felt as though we had become one body—a wonderful synergy."

Finally, Hwang Jung-min confessed his ambition regarding 'Hope's' box office performance. He emphasized, "The film will be released in North America in September. I hope our Korean movie also performs well worldwide, bringing happiness and smiles to everyone."

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*This content was translated by AI.