Jang Dong-joo announces acting retirement, seeking investors.. Starting anew as screenwriter and film producer [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Jang Dong-joo has announced his retirement from acting and has unexpectedly signaled a transformation into a screenwriter and film producer.

On the 16th, Jang Dong-joo revealed through his personal account that he is writing the screenplay for the film "Natural Nine."

Jang Dong-joo stated, "As I wrote down memories of reality and pain I personally experienced over the past year like a diary, it became a screenplay," and added, "There are still some parts left to revise. It is a crime thriller screenplay written by adding fictional elements to the events I experienced."

He further expressed his ambition, saying, "Starting with this screenplay, I plan to engage in writing and production, and eventually challenge myself in directing." Regarding the work, he explained, "Rather than a simple crime thriller entertainment film, it is a story about a human being who is crumbling amidst endless desires and wrong choices, desperately trying to live."

Currently, Jang Dong-joo is seeking partners who can invest in the film's production costs, co-produce, or purchase the screenplay rights. Along with this, he has launched a campaign to attract investors by directly specifying the investment account number and the account holder's name.

Previously, on the 15th, Jang Dong-joo posted a message on his SNS that seemed to announce his retirement from acting. He conveyed his intention to "lay down his life as actor Jang Dong-joo as of today."

The following day, on the 16th, he announced plans to dispose of the cafe he operated. He stated, "I will sell the Calling Art Center, which I have been operating since 2020." The Calling Art Center is a cafe where Jang Dong-joo is listed as the representative, serving as a multi-cultural space where live performances and event events can also be held.

Regarding the space, Jang Dong-joo explained, "For a long time, it has injected youthful vitality into Saha-ro with diverse performances by numerous artists," and added, "It is a space that can be operated for performances, venue rentals, events, and as a 24-hour unmanned cafe, and it is currently operating normally."

Earlier, in November of last year, he disappeared from public view, leaving only a black screen and the words "I am sorry" on his SNS. At the time, a commotion ensued as his former agency, Nexus ENM, began efforts to locate him. The situation was resolved after his whereabouts were confirmed within about four hours. Subsequently, he moved his base to Management Run in December of the same year, but terminated the contract shortly thereafter.

In January, he also publicly revealed that he had been a victim of hacking and extortion by the "Hyu Daejeon" group. At the time, Jang Dong-joo confessed that he suffered losses of tens of billions of won due to the hacking and found himself buried in debt.

However, in February of this year, Jang Dong-joo signed an exclusive contract with Management W and announced his comeback. Yet, after announcing his retirement again, he is now making headlines by signaling a new transformation and launching a campaign to attract investors.

Meanwhile, Jang Dong-joo made his debut in 2012 with the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." He has since appeared in dramas such as "School 2017," "Revenge of Others," "Mr. Part-time," "I'll Be Your Night," "Trigger," and films including "Honest Candidate," "Count," and "Handsome Guys." Recently, he was active in the SBS drama "I Am Human Starting Today," which concluded last month.

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*This content was translated by AI.