[INTERVIEW] Jung Woo-sung was initially hesitant to take on role in 'Hunt'

Actor Jung Woo-sung / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea's A-list actors Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae have been best friends for decades, but the duo had only starred in one film together, "City of the Rising Sun" (1999), until teaming up again for the spy drama film, "Hunt."

"We've been longing to work together on a film, but time was the big issue for us. We were always busy filming with other directors. So we founded a company together and we have been working on a lot of projects together," Jung said in an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday.

"Whatever decision I make about acting, directing or producing a film or a series, I talk to him [Lee Jung-jae] about it and vice versa. So, I knew from the beginning how desperate he was to bring the 'Hunt' screenplay to life."

In Lee's spy thriller, Jung portrays Kim Jung-do, a soldier-turned-espionage agent who faces a moral dilemma under the military regime in the 1980s. Although Kim is against the military junta's violent repression of human rights, he takes part in operations to quell a pro-democracy uprising and kills civilians.

"Kim Jung-do has many regrets in his life. He wanted to be an upright soldier, but he was nothing but an aggressor who committed acts of violence against civilians. So I tried to understand Kim's pain, confusion and motivation for being part of the coup d'etat," he explained.

Jung got involved in the project after turning down Lee's proposal three times.

"It was not a matter of whether the script was good or bad. There were complex subplots that needed to be removed. Also, it was part of my big plan. If I hadn't declined the offer three times, Lee wouldn't have starred in 'Squid Game,'" he laughed.

The public seems to always compare the celebrity pair because they are always seen together at ceremonies and parties. Like Lee, Jung is set to make his feature directorial debut this year with "A Man of Reason."

The film, about a man who dreams of leading a normal life after being released from prison, will have its world premiere in the Special Presentations category at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival, slated for Sept. 8 to 18.

"I'm not jealous of Lee making his feature directorial debut and getting positive reviews. We don't compare ourselves to each other. The comparison has been in the mind of the public. I'm truly happy for him because I know how hard he has worked for this," he said.

"I'm really happy with how it turned out. It was so important to me that we are not just having fun and celebrating our on-screen reunion, but trying really hard to make a good film."

"Hunt" will hit local theaters, Aug. 10.

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