A Divisive 'Hope', But No Disagreement on Jo In-sung's Action [Kim Na-yeon's Diagonal Line]

*This content was translated by AI.

[Editor’s Note] Reporter Kim Na-yeon's personal perspective on the film.

In the divisive film "Hope," actor Jo In-sung alone demonstrated undeniable presence. His action sequences, executed with full physical commitment, transcend the film's mixed reception to become an overwhelming visual spectacle and the most powerful force keeping audiences glued to the screen until the very end.

Released on the 15th, "Hope" (directed by Na Hong-jin) begins with a story about "Beom-seok" (played by Hwang Jung-min), a branch office manager at Ho Pohang located in the Demilitarized Zone. After hearing from local youths that a tiger has appeared in the area, the entire village goes on high alert as he confronts an unbelievable reality.

Jo In-sung plays "Seong-gi," a local youth who takes on various odd jobs for profit in Ho Pohang. Early in the film, Seong-gi joins his colleagues to chase an unknown entity threatening the village toward the mountains, remaining somewhat peripheral to the narrative centered around Beom-seok.

However, the atmosphere shifts once the true nature of the extraterrestrial beings is fully revealed. Possessing exceptional survival instincts, Seong-gi takes center stage through bare-knuckle combat, chase sequences, and equestrian action. His raw, untamed physicality—running through vast forests, firing guns, and throwing his body into danger—overwhelms the screen with primal charm.

Even in extreme situations facing extraterrestrials, Jo In-sung does not rely solely on brute force. He convincingly portrays survival action blending fear and instinct, drawing audiences deeply into the story.

The high-difficulty equestrian action sequence atop a galloping horse in the latter half is undoubtedly "Hope's" highlight. Without using a stunt double, Jo In-sung delivered scenes that left even veteran martial arts teams and dressage experts in awe, delivering overwhelming immersion. Clearly, while it was the horse running, what truly trembled was the audience's heart.

Jo In-sung's action spirit shone brightly. Despite not being in full physical condition following knee surgery, he performed most of his own action sequences.

In a prior interview, Jo In-sung stated, "The doctor said light jogging is fine, but running and jumping would be detrimental to the rest of my life. Yet I am an actor; there may come a time when I must run for the sake of a project. I believed this film's quality should not suffer because of me."

Thus, Jo In-sung's action transcended mere effort to become the most powerful weapon elevating the film's overall quality. While evaluations surrounding "Hope" remain divided, his physically committed performances are difficult to dismiss.

Meanwhile, "Hope" was released on the 15th and is currently screening in theaters nationwide.

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*This content was translated by AI.