Hwang Jung-min signs on before reading a page of Na Hong-jin's Hope

"Decided to join as soon as I received the script" Hwang Jung-min reveals reunion with Na Hong-jin

Actor Hwang Jung-min's decision to star in director Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' was rooted in deep trust in the director. Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Channel Fullmoon's' content 'Na Young-seok's Waggle Waggle,' Hwang shared behind-the-scenes details of working with Na Hong-jin, whom he reunites with for the first time since 'The Wailing.'

Hwang stated, "When Director Na Hong-jin said the script was ready, I met him and received it. I know he writes very meticulously, and having already experienced his approach to filmmaking through 'The Wailing,' my expectations were high." Describing Na's directing style, he noted, "The way he constructs scenes is incredibly concise. He doesn't explain everything through lengthy stage directions or dialogue; it feels as if everything is contained within just a few lines, much like a poem."

8 years of production and perfectionism in realizing aliens

This work is the first feature film Na Hong-jin has presented since 'The Wailing' (2016). A total of 8 years were spent from the initial scenario conception through filming and post-production. Na projected the perfectionist tendencies he previously displayed in his student short film 'The Perfect Sea Bream Dish' (2005) into this project.

Challenging the new genre of SF, he also poured immense effort into realizing the aliens. Dozens of designers from around the world participated to design four different types of alien characters with distinct species and classes. To facilitate communication between the aliens, he collaborated with a linguistics professor to develop a unique alien language complete with its own alphabet system. He also made no compromises regarding the CG work used to realize the creatures. Even on the day of the press preview, just 9 days before the release, he rushed straight to the editing room after the event to work on the CG, DI, and sound mixing. He showed such obsession that he even flew to the United States the day before the release to perform final visual adjustments.

The arrival of SF action 'Hope' starring Zo In Sung and Jung Ho-yeon

'Hope' centers on Beom-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the head of the Hopo Port branch near the DMZ. The SF film depicts the events that unfold when Beom-seok, hearing news from village youths that a tiger has appeared, encounters an unbelievable entity.

Veteran staff joined the production to ensure the film's quality. Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo realized the visual beauty, while art director Lee Hu-gyeong recreated a small village in Haenam, Jeonnam, into a fictional version of Hopo village set in the 1980s. Lead actors Zo In Sung (playing Seong-gi) and Jung Ho-yeon (playing Seong-ae) performed high-difficulty action sequences themselves without stunt doubles. Director Lee Chang-dong commented on the film, saying, "It is literally a crazy movie. It sits at the pinnacle of entertainment cinema," while director Bong Joon-ho described it as "a movie like an amazing pleasure and a runaway rollercoaster."