"A Feeling of Flying," Jung Ho-yeon Chosen by Director Na Hong-jin for 'Hope' [Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

For actor Jung Ho-yeon, the film "Hope" was not merely his next project. He revealed that upon receiving the initial script, he wrote his name on it to express his deep longing for the work.

On the 8th, we met with actor Jung Ho-yeon at a café on Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss various topics regarding the film "Hope" (directed by Na Hong-jin).

"Hope" begins with the story of Panseok, the head of the Pohang outpost located in the Demilitarized Zone, who learns from local youth that a tiger has appeared. As the entire town goes into high alert, he encounters an unbelievable reality. In the film, Jung Ho-yeon plays Sung Ae, a police officer at Pohang, a character with clear moral standards who always fulfills his duties regardless of the situation.

Ahead of the release, Jung Ho-yeon stated, "I feel very excited. Since I've waited so long for this work, I can't wait to hear audience feedback. I checked many reviews after screenings and was grateful that everyone enjoyed it. It might be too early to feel relieved, but I think excitement is my biggest emotion."

Having leaped to global stardom through the Netflix series "Squid Game," Jung Ho-yeon showcased action and emotional depth in "Hope" that differed from his previous roles, significantly expanding his range as an actor.

Jung Ho-yeon described receiving the offer for "Hope" as "a feeling of flying."

He said, "I was contemplating my next project when Director Na Hong-jin requested a meeting to meet me. However, I approached it with the mindset of attending an audition. On my way there, I imagined many scenarios. To be honest, I think I wanted to make a good impression."

He continued, "When I met the director, his first impression was his intense gaze. I thought I shouldn't pretend anything because he seemed like someone who could see right through me. During our meeting, we mostly talked about daily life. The director said, 'Actor Jung is now entering Chungmu-ro; shouldn't we treat him to a bowl of jjajangmyeon?' and then treated us to delicious jjajangmyeon."

He added, "After that meeting ended, Je Jak-sa (CEO) told me, 'Please deliver the script to Actor Jung,' which surprised me. I hadn't expected to receive the script or hear about anything further at that moment. Receiving the script made me extremely happy," he smiled.

He further remarked, "The script in my hands felt more valuable than any gold or jewels, so I held it close and went home. The first thing I did was write my name under 'Hope.' That shows how deeply I wanted this."

Regarding his work with director Na Hong-jin, Jung Ho-yeon stated, "I heard that he never compromises. I learned that he wouldn't yield and would do anything for a perfect result; even during fittings, I could sense his persistence. Actor Hwang Jeong-min is also a perfectionist, and both of them, as senior figures on set, approached this work with such dedication that I naturally had no choice but to follow their lead."

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*This content was translated by AI.