[Interview①] Jung Jin-young "Feeling Good from Director Lee Chang-dong's Praise, Had a Beer"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Jung Jin-young shared his thoughts on making his directorial debut after 33 years since his debut.

Director Jung Jin-young spoke about various aspects of the film Disappeared Time during an interview held on the afternoon of the 12th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Disappeared Time is a film about a detective investigating a mysterious fire incident who faces a shocking situation where everything he believed in disappears, leading him to search for his own life. It is drawing attention as actor Jung Jin-young’s directorial debut.

Jung Jin-young debuted in 1988 with the play Daegyeol and has been active as an actor across various genres including film and drama. He has been a persona of director Lee Joon-ik, starring in films such as Hwangsanbeol, The King and the Clown, Happy Life, My Dear Enemy, and Pyongyang Castle. He also appeared in blockbuster films like The King and the Clown, Miracle in Cell No. 7, Ode to My Father, and A Taxi Driver, meeting a wide audience. Additionally, he has worked in films with artistic and social messages such as Another Promise, Claire’s Camera, and Gunsan, Singing the Goose. Furthermore, he has been active in various fields including hosting the current affairs program Unanswered Questions. Now, after 33 years since his debut, he is making his directorial debut.

On this day, Director Jung Jin-young said, “I’m really nervous thinking about meeting the audience,” and added, “I was able to express a story I have thought about my whole life through this film.” He shared, “There was a reason I structured the film. I was curious about how I, who am myself, appear through others’ eyes.” He also said, “It’s cautious to do an interview as a director because everything might become a spoiler,” while taking a sip of water.

Directors Lee Chang-dong, Lee Joon-ik, Kim Sung-hoon, and actor Park Joong-hoon, who watched the film earlier, also gave positive impressions of Disappeared Time. Director Jung Jin-young said, “I was most curious about Director Lee Chang-dong’s opinion. He is strict with his words and rarely gives criticism. He believes words must be precise, so I was curious, but surprisingly he smiled brightly and praised the film,” and laughed, “I felt so good that I drank beer yesterday.”

Jung Jin-young formed a connection with Director Lee Chang-dong while working as the youngest assistant director on Green Fish. Jung said, “It was a relief that such a strict director praised me. I felt relaxed thinking that I wouldn’t hear people in the film industry say ‘Jung Jin-young wasted his time.’” He continued, “After hearing the review, I called Director Lee Chang-dong to thank him, and he said, ‘No, it was really good.’ I was grateful.”

Usually, after completing a film script and before starting production, filmmakers ask people in the industry to monitor the script. They then revise and develop the film based on the feedback. However, Director Jung Jin-young revealed that he avoided monitoring the script for Disappeared Time. He recalled, “Director Lee Joon-ik came to my office and I showed him the script. He said it was a really good script. I was thankful because he is someone who understands popularity better than anyone else,” and added, “Director Kim Yoo-jin of Promise also read the script and said it was good. After hearing their advice, I decided to push forward as I intended. Of course, I was prepared for the fact that opinions might be divided.”

After the film was revealed at a recent press screening, various interpretations about its strange story emerged. Director Jung Jin-young emphasized, “This is a film without a genre. It’s not a mystery. Mystery genre films have to have one answer at the end. That was not my intention at all. I didn’t write it with an answer in mind from the start,” and stressed, “It’s more accurate to see it as a sad comedy. I hope the audience watches the film without looking for an answer.”

Regarding the view that Disappeared Time reveals Jung Jin-young’s inner self, he nodded and said, “Some said I made this film because I am an actor. I worked without being conscious of anything, so I was surprised to get such a question. It also feels like being stripped bare. I think I am in the film.”

Standing between actor and director, how does Jung Jin-young view the two professions? He reflected, “For actors, emotion is important, and for directors, reason comes first. Directors have to see the whole picture. That doesn’t mean directors are greater. The relationship between actors and directors is like that between composers and performers, conductors and musicians. It’s a relationship where you have to go together.”

Disappeared Time opens on June 18.

Photo = Ace Maker Movie Works

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