[Interview②] Jo Jin-woong "Cha Seung-won Specially Appeared in Directorial Debut... Recently Staying in a Fishing Village"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Jo Jin-woong revealed that watching Jung Jin-young gave him the courage to step into directing.

On the afternoon of the 16th, Jo Jin-woong shared various stories about the film during an interview held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the release of the movie Vanished Time (directed by Jung Jin-young).

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 find his own life. It is actor Jung Jin-young’s directorial debut. Jo Jin-woong plays Hyung-gu, a detective who investigates a mysterious fire incident in a quiet rural village where an outsider couple dies.

In August 2019, Jo Jin-woong quietly filmed a short film titled Trailer with close colleagues from the film industry who shared the same vision. (Exclusive report by this outlet) He covered all production costs himself and expressed a story he had been planning as a director. Having watched Jung Jin-young become a director after 33 years since his debut as an actor, Jo Jin-woong must have felt a special sentiment. He confessed, “Watching director Jung Jin-young gave me courage.”

Jo Jin-woong said, “I didn’t decide to direct and then shoot a short film. There was just a story I really wanted to tell. I had hoped to make it into a film for 12 years. When I used to tell people in the film industry about it and ask their opinion, hardly anyone paid much attention. But now, maybe because I have gained recognition, when I ask around, quite a few people show interest,” he laughed.

He continued, “We agreed to create a reference and worked together. Prominent production staff active in commercial films joined in a cooperative spirit. I’m really grateful. These are seasoned professionals, so they wouldn’t make something carelessly. Everyone is working hard. Recently, work was delayed due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection). I told them, ‘It’s okay if it comes out within 20 years. Please focus on more important projects first.’ Now, only the final CG remains. It seems like it will be finished around the end of June,” he said.

Jo Jin-woong added, “I’m curious about the completed story. If I were told to direct, I would direct, and if told to act, I might go that way too. I hope we can enjoy the process and create something while fighting joyfully.”

Trailer was produced as a short film but brought together prominent Chungmuro production staff, and Cha Seung-won made a special appearance. Jo Jin-woong laughed, “He’s currently living in a fishing village these days.” He also said, “When I actually held the megaphone on set, I realized I’m not the type to give many directions. The film I want to make is a precisely structured commercial film.”

Vanished Time will be released on June 18.

Photo = Ace Maker Movie Works