[Interview] 'Call' Lee Chung-hyun "Handsome Director Generation Change? I Don't Feel It, I Want to Direct for a Long Time"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] Actor and director Lee Chung-hyun expressed his desire to continue his path as a film director for a long time.

Director Lee Chung-hyun shared various stories about his work during an online video interview for the Netflix film "Call" on the afternoon of the 30th.

"Call" is a mystery thriller depicting a mad obsession that begins when two women from different time periods connected by a single phone call change each other's fate. Set between the past of 1999 and the present of 2019, the intense confrontation between Seoyeon (Park Shin-hye) and Youngsook (Jeon Jong-seo), connected only through the phone across a 20-year time gap, unfolds.

Director Lee Chung-hyun, who gained attention with the short film "Body Price" (2015), made his feature film directorial debut with "Call."

Originally scheduled for release in March this year, "Call" was postponed due to the impact of COVID-19 and was eventually released on the OTT platform Netflix on November 27.

On this day, Director Lee Chung-hyun began by saying, "We were waiting for a theatrical release, but the situation was not favorable, so it was presented on Netflix." He added, "It's unfortunate that the sound cannot be showcased in theaters, but I see it as a good opportunity to meet audiences worldwide through the OTT platform."

The director also stated, "Since the release of 'Call' could no longer be delayed, I thought it was important to meet the audience quickly."

Director Lee Chung-hyun revealed that he formed a connection with the production company Yong Film and the Busan International Film Festival through "Call." He said, "At that time, the planning team leader of Yong Film contacted me after watching 'Body Price,' which was screened at the Busan Film Festival. Yong Film was preparing director Jung Ji-woo's 'Silence,' and they first proposed the adaptation, which led to a natural connection and the preparation of my first feature film 'Call.'"

Following the production presentation of "Call," not only the intense work but also Director Lee Chung-hyun's warm appearance became a hot topic. Online reactions such as "The handsome director's generational shift" and "Idol of the director world" drew significant attention to Lee Chung-hyun.

Director Lee Chung-hyun said, "I have dreamed of becoming a film director, but I don't particularly feel any reaction to that. I hope to be a director who can make many works over a long time. I am doing my best and learning to become a director who lasts long and runs a marathon."

Regarding what inspired him to dream of directing films, he recalled, "After watching the musical 'Fame' performed at an arts high school, I wanted to become an artist. Later, I entered an arts high school and vaguely wondered what kind of art I would pursue. I was instinctively drawn to film."

Director Lee Chung-hyun said, "I wrote a lot of scripts. I also made many short films, which gave me ideas on how to communicate with the audience, and that has remained unchanged until now."

When asked if he would accept an acting offer, Director Lee Chung-hyun firmly replied, "I have no intention at all. I am not the type to act, and I cannot. I have no plans."

Photo = Netflix