Actor and filmmaker Ha Jung Woo, who has continued to challenge himself behind the camera, is drawing attention after candidly opening up about his emotional struggles as a director following a series of box office disappointments.
Recently, a video titled 'Gong Hyo Jin and Ha Jung Woo. A Wonderful Day' was uploaded to Gong Hyo Jin’s YouTube channel. In the video, Gong Hyo Jin meets Ha Jung Woo, who happens to live in the same neighborhood. The two are currently appearing together in the film ‘The People Upstairs,’ which is now in theaters. In this project, Ha Jung Woo took on both directing duties and the lead acting role.
During their conversation, Ha Jung Woo said, “I saw you say on YouTube that you would make me win Best Actress.” Laughing, Gong Hyo Jin replied, “Can I even say something like that? I do not think I will make it onto the Best Actress nominee list.”
Ha Jung Woo immediately reassured her, saying, “No, I do not think so. It is not up to me, but will you not be nominated next year?” Gong Hyo Jin responded honestly, “Awards at the end of the year can feel uncomfortable. Timing matters too, does it not?”
Placing greater importance on audience response than awards, Ha Jung Woo emphasized, “What matters more than ceremonies is whether the movie is loved. I just hope audiences enjoy it.”
When Gong Hyo Jin asked whether he felt more nervous because he was the director, noting that directors tend to judge themselves more harshly, Ha Jung Woo responded calmly, “I did my best and completed everything to the end. Now I do not really feel any particular emotion.”
However, when Gong Hyo Jin teasingly added, “But honestly, you get hurt a lot,” Ha Jung Woo admitted without hesitation, “I do get hurt a lot.”
Gong Hyo Jin then shared a personal anecdote, saying, “Whenever I say, ‘Brother, there is talk like this,’ you act fine, but later you go home and text me asking, ‘Hyo Jin, who said that?’” She highlighted his very human sensitivity to others’ words. Ha Jung Woo responded thoughtfully, “Are we not all the same? Whether we are actors or directors.” His words acknowledged the reality that it is difficult not to be affected by criticism and evaluation.
Ha Jung Woo has steadily pursued directing since his debut behind the camera. Beginning with ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’ in 2013, followed by ‘Chronicle of a Blood Merchant’ and this year’s ‘Lobby,’ he has released three directorial works to date. While these films received mixed responses at the box office, he did not stop. Instead, he returned with his fourth directorial project, ‘The People Upstairs,’ once again taking on a new challenge.
In a previous interview for ‘The People Upstairs,’ Ha Jung Woo reflected on his earlier setbacks, saying, “Since this is my fourth film, it is only natural that I should improve,” and “If you have experienced failure and been broken down, growth should follow. That is the law of nature.” By openly acknowledging past disappointments, he showed his determination to move forward and continue evolving as a filmmaker.
SEE ALSO: Gong Hyo Jin explains why she stopped uploading to YouTube for 5 months + returns with new movie
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