Hwang Jung-min on 'Hope': 'Na Hong-jin Doing Sci-Fi?'

The Cannes Film Festival is abuzz with the premiere of Na Hong-jin's highly anticipated film 'Hope,' and its stars, Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, offer a glimpse into the intense creative process behind this ambitious science fiction venture. For Hwang Jung-min, reuniting with Na after their successful collaboration on 'The Wailing' (2016), the shift to sci-fi presented a unique challenge. "I told him I'd do anything if it was Na Hong-jin, but then I saw it was sci-fi?" Hwang recalled, expressing his initial bewilderment at the director's genre leap.

“

I told him I'd do anything if it was Na Hong-jin, but when I received the script, I thought, 'Na Hong-jin is doing sci-fi?'

Hwang, who plays the head of a fishing port, found the experience of acting in a creature feature particularly demanding. Unlike his previous roles where he built rapport through on-screen interactions, this film required him to single-handedly drive the narrative for extended periods, relying solely on imagination. "It felt like hitting a wall in empty land," he described, noting the immense pressure of conveying emotion and story without tangible co-stars. The moment the alien's face appeared, he felt a sense of relief, a 'baton touch' that allowed him to transition into a different mode of performance.

“

I've always acted by looking into the other person's eyes, but this time it was difficult to lead the audience alone, imagining it as if I were heading into the unknown.

Jo In-sung, known for his charismatic screen presence, tackles the film's most visually spectacular action sequences. He described undergoing extensive post-production dubbing, even for mere breaths, a testament to Na's legendary perfectionism. "This is the first time in my 28-year acting career that I've done so much ADR," Jo admitted. His character, Seong-gi, is portrayed as a young villager fiercely protective of human dignity in the face of an insurmountable threat, embodying a spirit of defiance even in the face of death.

“

This is the first time in my 28-year acting career that I've done so much post-synchronization.

Jung Ho-yeon, making her film debut with 'Hope,' described the experience as a "blessing." She recalled the overwhelming feeling of being part of such a grand production, especially during her impactful entrance. She shared a moment of encouragement from Hwang Jung-min during a challenging car-chasing scene, which helped her overcome her nerves and deliver a successful first take. The actors' dedication, coupled with Na Hong-jin's relentless pursuit of cinematic excellence, promises a film that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, offering a unique Korean perspective on the science fiction genre.

“

When I heard the cheers during the scene where I get out of the patrol car with a gun, I felt like I was receiving support. The applause from people who love movies doubled the emotion.