Na Hong-jin's "HOPE" Set to Heat Up the Summer... Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, Opens July 15

[Financial News] Director Na Hong-jin's new film "HOPE" will open in South Korea on July 15.
According to Plus M Entertainment, the film's local release date was finalized on the 8th.
Pre-sold to more than 200 countries and regions worldwide, "HOPE" drew attention after being invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in May.
Despite mixed reactions, RogerEbert.com praised the film, saying, "Na Hong-jin twists genre conventions at every turn, yet never gives the audience a moment to catch up with the joke." The Hollywood Reporter also gave it a positive review, noting that it "maintains a superbly propulsive energy from start to finish" and is "dizzying in its bold craftsmanship."
"HOPE" is a story that begins when Beom-seok, the head of the Hope Harbor branch office located in the DMZ, hears from local young people that a tiger has appeared. As the entire village goes on alert, he is confronted with an unbelievable reality.
Hwang Jung-min reunites with Na Hong-jin as Beom-seok in "HOPE," following "The Wailing." Beom-seok is a character who struggles between his sense of duty to protect the village and his fear of the unknown. Discussing Film said of Hwang Jung-min, "The fear on his face in the film's early, fast-moving sequence plays a crucial role in building tension."
Zo In-sung plays Seong-gi, a brave and determined character. Aion Cinema said, "The action scene in which Zo In-sung arrives on horseback is the film's best sequence. The character he plays steals the audience's attention with a strong survival instinct."
Jung Ho-yeon, who rose to stardom through the Netflix series "Squid Game," takes on the role of Seong-ae, a Hope Harbor police officer with a clear sense of right and wrong. For the film, she learned how to handle firearms and shooting stances before filming began. She also obtained a Class 1 driver's license and repeatedly trained in drifting to perform the car-chase scenes herself.
The Hollywood Reporter said, "Jung Ho-yeon delivers a remarkable presence in her feature film debut, handling everything from action to comic timing with ease."


jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter