Director Na Hong Jin, best known for his 2008 thriller 'The Chaser' and his 2016 horror film 'The Wailing,' is making his long-awaited return with the highly anticipated sci-fi thriller 'Hope.'
He is returning with his fourth film that brings an almost unreal ensemble of talent together to bring the film to life. 'Hope' centers around the residents of Hopo, a quiet port village whose lives are disrupted after the discovery of an unidentified creature on the outskirts of town. As the villagers investigate, what begins as curiosity quickly spirals into chaos and devastation.
Na Hong Jin explained the deeper message behind his story: “In many places in society, we discover that one person's goodwill can experience disagreement, then destruction. This film will attempt to capture such a phenomenon.” With his signature knack for building eerie atmospheres and exploring dark human instincts, expectations are already sky-high.
Adding even more fuel to the hype is the film’s cast lineup, which includes some of the biggest names in both Korean and international cinema. Hwang Jung Min and Jo In Sung, two powerhouses of Korean film, are set to lead the story alongside global rising star Jung Ho Yeon ('Squid Game'). They're joined by none other than Michael Fassbender ('12 Years a Slave') and Alicia Vikander ('The Danish Girl'), marking a rare but thrilling mix of Hollywood and Korean talent in a domestic production.
Behind the camera, cinematographer Hong Kyung Pyo, known for his work on 'Parasite' and 'The Wailing', is once again teaming up with director Na, raising expectations for the film’s visual language and scale. 'Hope' is reportedly a three-part film scheduled to premiere later this year.
While filming began in 2023, Hope has recently resurfaced as a trending topic on Korean online communities, with buzz intensifying ahead of its release later this year. Netizens are particularly intrigued by the film’s genre, as alien-centered sci-fi horror remains a rare theme in Korean cinema. With such an unconventional premise and an A-list cast, 'Hope' is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.
Korean netizens are already expressing excitement and commenting:
"It's going to be a three-part film. Just release them. I'm ready to watch all of them."
"I'm so excited."
"I hope the film is good."
"I'm anticipating its release. It's alien-based sci-fi. That's crazy."
"Sounds so fun. I guess I'll go to the theaters once it releases!"
"I was waiting for director Na Hong Jin's next film."
"If it's director Na Hong Jin's work. Then I'm looking forward to it."
"I'm so excited to watch his upcoming film because of his precedent works."
"Director Na Hong Jin's work is trustworthy."
"Wow. I'm so excited."
"The cast is so crazy too."
"I was waiting for his work!"
"I've been so curious for so long. I can't wait until it premieres."
"The lineup is good, the story is intriguing. It's been a while since I watched a Korean film, but I have to watch this."
"I'm excited because it's director Na Hong Jin."
"I want to watch this fast."
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