'Hope' Jung Ho-yeon revealed how she met director Na Hong-jin and joined the film.
On the morning of the 8th, at a cafe on Samcheong-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul, an interview was held with Jung Ho-yeon, the lead actress of the film 'Hope'.
'Hope' (director and screenwriter Na Hong-jin, produced by Forged Films, co-produced by Plus M Entertainment·WestWorld Co., distributed by Plus M Entertainment) tells the story that begins when Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min), the Branch Office chief at Hopohang located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears from local youths that a tiger has appeared, and as the whole village is put on alert, they face an unbelievable reality.
Na Hong-jin, who rose to prominence with films such as 'The Chaser,' 'The Yellow Sea' and 'The Wailing,' returned with a new work after 10 years that was officially invited to compete in the competition section at the 79th Cannes Film Festival and received much praise. It is an SF genre featuring creatures and is said to have the largest production budget in Korean film history. Reports say it cost at least 70 billion won and, when late-stage marketing and promotion expenses are added, could reach as high as 100 billion won.
Hwang Jung-min delivered a powerful performance as Beom-seok, the arrogant but highly responsible Branch Office chief of Hopohang; Zo In-sung played Seong-gi, a village youth who passes time by hunting and fishing; and Jung Ho-yeon played Seong-ae, a Hopohang police officer who does her duty in any situation. In addition, the film generated buzz before release with its glamorous casting including Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton.
Model-turned-actress Jung Ho-yeon began acting with the Netflix series 'Squid Game Season' (2021) and rose to global stardom after a single work. She later worked with director Alfonso Cuarón on Apple TV+'s 'Disclaimer' (2024), sharing the screen with Cate Blanchett, and 'Hope' is her first screen debut.
Jung Ho-yeon said, (When I first received a love call from director Na Hong-jin) I felt like I was flying. I was considering my next project, and the director said it wasn't about his next work but that he 'wanted to meet once' and requested a meeting. Still, I went with the mindset of going to an audition. She said, I imagined a lot on the way there and thought, 'What will the director be like?' and really wanted to make a good impression. I hoped he would look favorably on me, and I definitely had that kind of ambition. she honestly said.
She said the director's gaze was intense, "I wondered if he didn't blink. (laughs) He sat to my right, and the moment I looked at his eyes I felt, 'I shouldn't pretend. No matter what I do, the director will see through it.' I resolved to show him as much of my true self as possible. From my perspective it was like an audition," and added, "It was just really fun; we mostly talked about everyday things. The director said, 'Now that actress Jung is entering Chungmuro, shouldn't I buy her a bowl of jajangmyeon?' (laughs) So he bought me the best jajangmyeon in that neighborhood for dinner," which drew laughter.
She continued, "The meeting ended enjoyably, and the director told the head of the production company, 'Please give actress Ho-yeon the script.' I went in with the mindset of an audition, but I didn't expect to actually receive a script or for there to be a next step, so I was so happy when the director gave me the script right away," adding, "The paper script in my hands felt more precious than any treasure in the world. I held it to my chest all the way home, didn't put it in my bag, and never let it go from my arms. As soon as I got home I wrote my name under the title 'Hope.' I wanted it to be mine, and I wanted it that badly, so I wanted to try it," recalling the moment.
Earlier it was said that Hwang Jung-min suggested to director Na Hong-jin, 'You should meet Jung Ho-yeon once,' which led to the meeting. Regarding this, Jung Ho-yeon said, "I didn't know that when I went to the meeting. I heard it was during or after filming."
He said, "I also asked senior Hwang Jung-min the reason, and he said he hoped the actor playing Seong-ae would be fresh. Senior Hwang Jung-min and the director talked and said that the character Seong-ae has to perform long firearm action scenes, and they hoped it wouldn't look awkward," adding, "The two of them had the same thought, and senior Hwang Jung-min remembered watching 'Squid Game Season' and casually suggested, 'How about Ho-yeon?' and the director said he would meet her. It was a light start," he explained.
Meanwhile, 'Hope' opens on the 15th.<
[Photo] Provided by Plus M Entertainment
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