'Hope' sparks debate over like/dislike... "It's not 'The Wailing,' just watch it and see" Kim Jung-nan offers her sincere review [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actress Kim Jung-nan shared her candid review of director Na Hong-jin's film 'Hope,' amidst strong divided reactions.

On the 20th afternoon, a review video titled "Did you feel it was a waste of money? The highly polarizing film 'Hope'—What is Kim Jung-nan's reaction?" was posted on her YouTube channel 'Kim Jung-nan.'

In the video, Kim Jung-nan said about 'Hope,' "Actually, before watching this movie, I had been working in Gangnam since the previous day and was extremely tired. I thought, 'I have to review it, what if I fall asleep while watching?' But all that sleepiness vanished. I couldn't even tell how two and a half hours passed. It felt like riding a roller coaster for about two hours straight and then getting off." She gave the film a thumbs-up.

She continued, "Of course, opinions may be divided. For those with weak stomachs or prone to motion sickness, this might be difficult to watch. But for fans like me who enjoy such films, it was fantastic. To me, it was like a gift basket of movies. Every single scene held my attention completely. Why did I call it a gift basket? Because it includes many of the films I love: 'Alien,' 'Predator,' 'Prometheus,' 'Attack on Titan,' 'Demon Slayer,' and more. The monsters and aliens we've imagined over the years were portrayed exceptionally well. These creatures should have been set in places like the U.S., but instead, they landed in a rural Korean village. Even so, there is that unique eerie yet indescribably terrifying atmosphere characteristic of director Na Hong-jin. It permeates throughout the film—sticky, slimy, slippery, and carrying a foul odor." She highly praised Na Hong-jin's distinctive worldview.

Kim Jung-nan added, "Because of that, while it might seem disgusting at times, Korean-style comedy elements appear constantly without pause, which I really enjoyed. 'Hope' truly stimulates all five senses. Despite the relentless pace leaving one breathless, your body instinctively leans forward. There was an immersive quality that made you feel as if you were being sucked into the screen. With so much to see, it's a huge thank-you." She expressed her high satisfaction.

Furthermore, Kim Jung-nan stated, "Director Na Hong-jin has pioneered a new genre of science fiction comedy. The joy that films can offer lies in bringing human imagination to life on screen. I wondered how hard everyone worked and how much time they invested to realize this. Just thinking about all those minds coming together, I felt, 'Wow, this is truly a film with immense effort.' It gave me the sense that we should applaud it. While criticism is possible, this is clearly a movie filled with sincere dedication. Whether actors, directors, or staff, you can feel that deep commitment. Perhaps because I am an actor myself, I sensed it even more strongly. The hardship was palpable." She offered her applause.

At the same time, Kim Jung-nan asked the YouTube production team, "Did you feel the ticket price was a waste?" and received the answer, "No, it wasn't."

In response, Kim Jung-nan said, "Then it's a success. If the investment of money and time didn't feel wasted, then the film is successful. I could even watch it multiple times." She predicted 'Hope' would achieve box office success.

The production team responded, "It seems the right way to enjoy 'Hope' is just like Kim Jung-nan did—by thinking, 'Well, that's how it is.'"

Kim Jung-nan then remarked, "We shouldn't try so hard to interpret things so complicatedly," addressing some of the excessive analyses and indiscriminate harsh reviews about 'Hope' flooding online.

The production team added, "People are trying to interpret it like 'The Wailing,' which seems to be causing director Na Hong-jin a lot of stress."

Kim Jung-nan replied, "Didn't Hwang Jeong-min say at the end, 'Ma'am, I don't really know either. Just stop talking'? That's exactly it. Also, 'Where did the gun come from?'—that line doesn't seem directed at other characters but rather at the audience. It doesn't matter where the gun came from; it's not a major plot point in the movie. Aliens are invading now—what does that matter? It's completely unimportant, isn't that what they're saying?" She cheerfully quoted the famous line from director Na's previous film 'The Wailing': "What's so important about it?"

'Hope' was released on the 15th and, despite mixed reactions, has surpassed a cumulative audience count of 2.72 million viewers.

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*This content was translated by AI.