[Here is Cannes] Jung Woo-sung "We, who used to drink during the day feeling sad after early morning shows, are now at Cannes"

75th Cannes Film Festival On-site
Jung Woo-sung Local Interview
Lee Jung-jae's Directorial Debut 'Hunt' Lead Role
'No Sun' 24-Year Connection
Two Filmmakers Leading K-Culture

[Cannes (France) = Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "I felt good the moment I arrived in Cannes. On the first day, after unpacking, I had dinner with (Lee Jung-jae) and thought, 'Wow, Hong-gi and Do-cheol, who used to roam the back alleys of Apgujeong 23 years ago, are here in Cannes?'"

He said "Hong-gi and Do-cheol." This familiar name that actor Jung Woo-sung used to describe himself and Lee Jung-jae refers to the characters they played together in the movie The Sun Does Not Shine (1998). The two actors, fresh in their twenties, shared their friendship while portraying youthful dreams, desires, and wanderings. Now, 24 years later, presenting a film at the Lumi?re Theater, considered the pinnacle stage for filmmakers at the Cannes Film Festival, must be an overwhelming experience. They have even fulfilled Hong-gi's dream of owning a 3 billion won building in Apgujeong-dong.

On the morning of the 21st (local time), Jung Woo-sung met with Asia Economy at the Palais des Festivals et des Congr?s in Cannes, France, where the 75th Cannes Film Festival is being held, and shared various stories.

Jung Woo-sung, who walked the Cannes red carpet for the first time in 14 years since the movie The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008), recalled, "Back then, I just thought, 'Oh, there is such a film festival. These people are doing it properly. It's cool. This place is Cannes. I wonder if I can come again.'" He said his feelings about visiting Cannes this year were different.

"Besides the uniqueness of the work, I am proud of world star Lee Jung-jae. Honestly, I felt like I was in a place where I naturally belong. Cannes always treats filmmakers as the main characters, but this time, I think I overcame an inevitable sense of inferiority. I accepted it comfortably moment by moment and savored the feeling."

Jung Woo-sung appeared without hesitation in his close friend Lee Jung-jae's directorial debut Hunt. This was due to a promise to definitely appear in his first directed work. Additionally, Han Jae-deok, CEO of Sonari Pictures, joined hands, and the Hunt ship set sail.

"We wondered if our long-standing relationship would become an obstacle in the film, and we decided to break that and do well. We enjoyed making it on set. I want to hide the meaning of 'We finally did this.' The real meaning only comes when we meet the audience."

Lee Jung-jae, who became a world star last year with Squid Game, attracted attention at Cannes with his first directorial work. Despite being a rookie director's first film, it was gladly invited, and Hunt was screened in the Midnight Screening section of the non-competition category on the 19th at the Lumi?re Theater for its premiere. Jung Woo-sung's wholehearted support cannot be overlooked. After the screening, Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae embraced, sharing a moment of emotion.

"Don't people usually hug? (laughs) It was a prepared challenge but a risky one. I felt proud that the result of that challenge was screened at Cannes and the audience seemed to like it. He must have spent many lonely and solitary times, so I wanted to hug him."

Jung Woo-sung described Lee Jung-jae as "someone with similar tastes." He recalled, "We once watched an early morning movie together at a theater in COEX, and the movie was so sad that we cried loudly and drank daytime alcohol from 11 a.m."

"We have shared various small private moments. The works he has chosen. Every time I see how acting is expressed through them, I get inspired. I also cheer for him. Lee Jung-jae is also the person who looks at me as I am and gives me the most compliments."

Lee Jung-jae, who became a director with Hunt, and Jung Woo-sung, who directed earlier with Beomjoja (The Protector), are colleagues creating synergy and leading K-culture. Jung Woo-sung said, "We stimulate each other. I think there is definitely something we both feel," giving it special meaning. Having finished filming his first directorial work Beomjoja first, Jung Woo-sung laughed, saying he felt "jealous" watching Lee Jung-jae make Hunt.

"Lee Jung-jae thought being a director meant doing whatever he wanted, but he realized it's a job of giving up. On set, he kept giving up, and when he came back to his lodging exhausted, he said, 'I'm dying.' I said, 'Welcome to hell.' Because I already experienced it with Beomjoja. (laughs)"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jung Woo-sung is continuously advancing as a veteran actor, film director, producer, and producer. He cited "gratitude" as the driving force behind his challenges.

"I was someone with nothing who came out into the world alone and somehow got lucky to become a movie actor. I was curious about everyone working on set and observed them. In the past, the treatment wasn't good. So I tried to find motivation within that, and naturally, my interest expanded to making films and video work. Very naturally."

Now, Jung Woo-sung is preparing to greet the world as a director. He said, "For an actor to become a director is a natural challenge as a filmmaker." "Some people look at it superficially. They say, 'He's been around so long, now he's doing that too?' I accept even those sharp views and break through with my work. In a way, it's a risky and courageous challenge, but it won't end with one work. The challenge continues."

Cannes (France) = Reporter Lee Isul