Actor Zo In-sung gave an honest answer about the possibility of a season 2 of "Hope".
On the morning of the 9th at a cafe on Samcheong-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul, an interview was held with lead actor Zo In-sung of the film "Hope".
"Hope" (director and writer Na Hong-jin, produced by Forged Films, co-produced by Plus M Entertainment·West World Co., distributed by Plus M Entertainment) depicts Beom-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the Branch Office chief at Hopohang located in the demilitarized zone, who, after hearing from local youths that a tiger has appeared, faces the entire village being put on alert and encounters an unbelievable reality that sets the story in motion.
Director Na Hong-jin, who rose to the ranks of master filmmakers with films such as "The Chaser," "The Yellow Sea" and "The Wailing," released this new work after 10 years, and it was officially invited to compete in the main competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, receiving much acclaim. As a genre film featuring creatures, it is known to have the largest production budget in Korean film history. Reports say the minimum was 70 billion won and, when adding later marketing and publicity expenses, it could be as much as the 100 billion won range. In addition to Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, the film drew attention before its release with a dazzling cast including Hollywood actors Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.
Zo In-sung gave a passionate performance as Seong-gi, a village youth who keeps busy with hunting and fishing. From flashy shotgun action to riding scenes practiced for three months, his later contributions stand out. He has been busy this year with "Humint" in the first half, the summer theatrical release "Hope," the upcoming Netflix film "Possible Love," and the new Disney+ series "Moving 2."
Regarding finally seeing a work he labored on come into the world, Zo In-sung said, "What does my reaction matter? Satisfaction comes from viewers liking it. From my activities I feel that my personal satisfaction is entirely unnecessary. (laughs) The relationships and journalists who see it first, and the audience, are the most important." He added, "I give my body to act in order to give them the sense of 'I've seen many films, but this is somewhat new.' That is satisfying to me. Recently at a press conference I said it was 'great,' and within that I meant 'peculiar, strange' as well. I used it in a somewhat ambiguous way with that feeling. I wondered if I sounded too self-indulgent. I thought I might get hit again. (laughs) I was speaking with various implied meanings," and laughed.
Looking at the ending of "Hope," a season 2 naturally comes to mind. It seems like a conclusion that contemplates a sequel.
Asked, "Have you heard talk of season 2?" he replied, "Of course, doesn't it look that way when you watch it? If it's not a sequel, can it be explained otherwise? I have to say that. But season 2 might be in the director's head. As you know, there are the production costs and such for this film, and there can be very practical considerations. I can't definitively say 'there is something.' There are certainly environmental factors," he confessed.
Because expectations for "Hope" are so high, the burden increases proportionally. In fact, from an actor's perspective, high pre-release expectations are not necessarily a good thing.
Zo In-sung showed humility, saying, "I am not an actor with that level of influence. I have not made great contributions to Korean cinema, and I am an actor who makes films because I love movies," and added, "There is a flower called the trumpet vine. It blooms piercing through monsoon rains and sea breezes. It seems to be that kind of fate. Inside and out, the film industry is difficult and struggling, but nevertheless I hope this work blossoms fully in the arms of the audience like the trumpet vine. Box office success is not something an individual actor can control. Since we worked hard making it, I have the hope that it will turn out that way."
Meanwhile, "Hope" opens on the 15th.
[Photo] Provided by Plus M Entertainment
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