Jung Woo-sung makes directorial debut with 'A Man of Reason'

Even for an actor with nearly 30 years of experience under his belt, directing is a whole new enterprise and a nerve-wracking one at that. Veteran actor Jung Woo-sung is now nervously waiting to be appraised for his directorial debut...

From left, actor Park Yoo-na, Kim Jun-han, Park Sung-woong, Kim Nam-gil and Jung Woo-sung pose for a photo during a press conference for ″A Man of Reason″ at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Monday. [YONHAP]

Even for an actor with nearly 30 years of experience under his belt, directing is a whole new enterprise and a nerve-wracking one at that. Veteran actor Jung Woo-sung is now nervously waiting to be appraised for his directorial debut “A Man of Reason,” which he also starred in.

“I really can’t believe this moment, as a director of a film,” Jung said at a press conference for the film at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Monday. “I was first offered the lead role, then got to sit in the director’s seat. The story told in ‘A Man of Reason’ is one you may have seen before — but I put a lot of thought into how to tell it in my unique way.”

Actor and director Jung Woo-sung speaks during a press conference for ″A Man of Reason″ at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Monday. [NEWS1]

“A Man of Reason” centers around Soo-hyuk, played by Jung, who has spent 10 years in jail covering for his boss. After he is released he finds out that he has a daughter, and wants to lead a normal life away from the criminal world. But his past comes to haunt him as his former boss hires an assassin to chase him. Actors Kim Nam-gil, Kim Jun-han and Park Sung-woong have supporting roles in the film.

“I dreamt of becoming an actor while watching Jung’s films, so it was an honor to work with him in ‘A Man of Reason,’” Kim Nam-gil said during the press conference. Kim plays Woo-jin, the assassin hired to chase down Soo-hyuk. “I wanted to give Woo-jin a twist to the typical hitman or assassin that we see in many films. Jung’s direction helped me find that character.”

Park, who rose to stardom with roles in many crime films such as “New World” (2013), plays Eung-guk, the former boss that Soo-hyuk wishes to break free of. Park also praised Jung for his direction and reflected on the physical transformation that he underwent in preparation for the role.

“Jung is very keen on details and would give sensitive direction for the cast,” Park said. “I grew both my hair and a beard for the role of Eung-guk and it was challenging. But I do think it paid off in the end.”

Main poster for ″A Man of Reason″ [ACEMAKER MOVIEWORKS]

“A Man of Reason” garnered attention before its domestic release in Korea after it was invited to the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and was screened at the Orivita section at the 55th Sitges Film Festival. But it was the Korean audience that Jung wanted to show the film to, according to the actor-turned-director.

“When I was reeling in the reactions from overseas audiences I thought that I really wanted to show ‘A Man of Reason’ to the Korean audience,” said Jung. “The time it took for us to bring this film to Korea brought up a sort of loneliness for me and reservation as to the reaction we would get from home audiences. I really look forward to the reviews that domestic audiences will give to ‘A Man of Reason.’”

“A Man of Reason” has also been pre-sold to 153 countries ahead of its release, upping the anticipation for the film. The film opens in Korea on Aug. 15.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]