"Happy"… 'Sarajin Sigan' Jung Jin-young Announces Film Directing Debut After 33 Years [Comprehensive]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Jung Jin-young's directorial debut film, Vanished Time, has been unveiled. He greeted the audience as a director for the first time in 33 years and said, "I am happy."

Director Jung Jin-young shared his thoughts on presenting the film at the press screening of Vanished Time held on the afternoon of the 9th at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

Vanished Time is a film about a detective investigating a mysterious fire incident who faces a shocking situation where everything he believed in disappears, leading him to search for his own life. It is actor Jung Jin-young's directorial debut after 33 years since his debut.

On this day, Director Jung said, "When I was young, my dream was to be a film director, but I spent most of my life as an actor. About 20 years ago, I worked as the youngest member of a directing team, but I gave up on that dream," adding, "Four years ago, whether I was capable or not, I felt I should tell the story I wanted to tell, so I made a film. I was tied down by the thought 'What if I get embarrassed?' but I decided to do it with the mindset of 'I might get embarrassed, but let's try what I want to do.'" He explained the background of taking the director's chair.

Regarding Vanished Time, Director Jung said, "I completed the screenplay in 2017. Until the screenplay was written and filming was done, I didn't really feel that it would be released. I just wanted to have fun, and I was happy," adding, "Post-production was already finished last year, so when the time for release came and we held the production presentation and press screening, I didn't realize how intimidating the event was. I'm curious and nervous about what the audience will think after watching the film."

He continued, "I discarded one screenplay I wrote earlier. I tried to break away from the familiar," and added, "There are many great directors, but if I direct, I thought I should do something new and strange to justify making a film. I wanted to do it without worrying about others' opinions. I think the unfamiliarity that comes from that will be both an advantage and a disadvantage." He appealed this as a distinguishing feature. He also added, "Please watch the film without prejudice. It doesn't have grand spectacles or excellent special effects; it is a story built up delicately."

To support Jung Jin-young's directorial debut, junior actors contributed their efforts to bring Vanished Time to life. Jo Jin-woong said, "Working with directors who are also actors is good because communication is smooth," and added, "If I ever become a director, I want to ensure communication is smooth in this way."

He continued, "There were moments when I thought, 'Does this make sense?' but aren't we living in an ironic today? During the COVID-19 era, we have to promote coming to theaters while wearing masks and practicing social distancing. It's ironic," and said, "The film also has a subtle charm."

Bae Soo-bin said, "I thought this could be my story or everyone's story. If so, it could touch empathy, and that gives meaning to doing the work," explaining his reason for appearing. He added, "I am proud to have been able to create the result together during Director Jung Jin-young's process of fulfilling his dream."

Jung Hae-kyun joked, "I didn't even read the script carefully and just said, 'Of course I'll do it,' but I regretted it a lot. I am still confused," making light of the situation.

Regarding the somewhat profound artistic world, Director Jung said, "If you ask about the genre, it might be a sad comedy," and added, "I wanted to depict the fragile loneliness and sadness between how I see myself and how others see me."

Director Jung expressed satisfaction, saying, "I trusted the actors. I thought they knew emotionally what to do in the given situations even without rational understanding. So I proposed it, and they lived it wonderfully."

He continued, "I didn't think about the answer from the beginning. It's like a Zen koan. The pitfall is that if there is emotional resonance with the story, it's excellent, but if not, there is a risk that it won't be conveyed. I think multiple interpretations are possible."

Vanished Time will be released on June 18.

Photo = Ace Maker Movie Works