[Exclusive] Jung Jun-ho "I Want to Make Jeonju a Movie Tourism City" [24th JIFF]

Actor Jung Joon-ho Met in Jeonju

First Year as Co-Executive Director of Jeonju International Film Festival
Launch of Supporters' Association, Aspiring to a Festival Enjoyed with Citizens
"Life Ends but Films Are Eternal"

Jung Jun-ho [Photo by Jeonju International Film Festival]

Actor Jung Joon-ho (54) began his term as co-executive director of the Jeonju International Film Festival this year. The festival appointed Jung Joon-ho and Min Sung-wook, the former deputy executive director of the Jeonju Film Festival, as co-executive directors on December 26 last year. It was a somewhat unconventional appointment. Some expressed concerns that Jung Joon-ho's appointment did not align with the direction of independent and alternative film festivals. The festival is also in an era where it must seek survival and development amid changing trends. Jung, who was appointed, had deep concerns.

On the morning of the 27th, I met with Co-Executive Director Jung Joon-ho at a hotel in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, to hear his determination and vision ahead of the 24th Jeonju International Film Festival opening. He looked quite busy as he took his first official schedule with Asia Economy for an interview. His hands were full of documents related to various events such as the opening film press conference and the opening ceremony.

He initially declined the executive director position several times. What changed his mind was a sense of obligation. Jung said, "The executive director must oversee everything about the festival, maintain the festival's character, and also be responsible for inviting films. Networking is important." He continued, "Having lived as an actor for 28 years, I always felt indebted. I focused only on commercial films and admittedly did not pay attention to low-budget shorts or experimental films. I wanted to repay this debt as a form of service as an actor."

Lowering Barriers and Creating a Festival Enjoyed by Citizens

Jung Joon-ho attending the opening ceremony of the 24th Jeonju International Film Festival Photo by Jeonju International Film Festival

Jung said, "I was invited to the Jeonju Film Festival several times as an actor, but this is my first time as an executive director. When I came as an actor, I walked the red carpet, attended the opening ceremony, watched the opening film, had a drink, and left. Until now, I just took a spoon and ate the prepared meal. As an executive director, setting the table made me realize many things."

His determination centers on two main points: maintaining the tradition and popularity vision that the Jeonju Film Festival has upheld for 24 years, and launching a support association to operate the festival smoothly. Jung put forward a vision of creating a festival enjoyed together with the citizens.

"Based on the tradition as an independent and alternative film festival, I wanted to increase opportunities to engage with the public. While walking around Jeonju, I felt that citizens were not very responsive to the festival. Instead of seeing it as 'a festival happening over there while we struggle to make a living,' I sought ways to unite citizens' hearts toward the festival. Through outdoor screenings in alleys, I want to help the public understand and encourage interest in independent films. So that people who happen to stop by can say, 'Oh, there’s a film like that?' I want to create a festival that does not just sparkle and end but becomes one with the citizens from a mid- to long-term perspective."

He emphasized, "Above all, roots are important." He added, "It is also important to inform people about how the Jeonju Film Festival has come this far, what its spirit is, and which directors who became stars were born here. There is no success without roots. Our role is meaningful in that we connect with the public while fulfilling this."

Forming a Support Association and Attracting Investment... A Vision for the Next Hundred Years

[Photo by Yonhap News]

As the executive director managing the festival, Jung also had deep concerns about operations. He reconnected with Korean Air as a sponsor. Instead of receiving tickets for inviting overseas guests, the festival cooperates by screening the festival’s films onboard. A support association for the Jeonju Film Festival, involving 40 to 50 businesspeople, was also launched.

Jung said, "The festival’s resources are limited, and we needed to recruit internal staff. When I went to the Berlin Film Festival, there were many gem-like filmmakers I wanted to invite. I was worried because the budget was not large. The answer I found there was to use human networks to form a support association."

"We selected 100 company chairpersons and CEOs and personally visited about 40 of them to ask for support over meals. I saw it as a long-term plan for cultural development, a 'Baeknyeon Dae-gye' (hundred-year plan), and worked hard on foot. Now, K-content like 'Squid Game' (2021) and 'Parasite' (2019) are recognized worldwide. I persuaded them to invest because those films and actors and directors came from the money we invested. I thought it would be good if investors and their employees could enjoy the films invested in Jeonju together, communicate through culture, and build a close relationship with the festival."

Beyond his role as executive director, Jung felt a sense of responsibility as a senior film professional. He said, "I wanted to support independent film art. I wanted to find ways to provide additional production funds, even 5 million or 10 million won, for highly experimental films. I didn’t want to just vaguely say ‘We support independent films’ without real help. Ultimately, films are hard to make without money. From that perspective, I thought about how to promote independent and experimental films." His affection for film is exceptional. When asked about the meaning of 'film' to him, he said,

"It’s a vessel that contains my life. Fans who watched 'Two Cops' (2001) and 'My Boss, My Hero' (2002) still remember those films, and the image of Jung Joon-ho in 'Public Enemy' (2002) and 'Holy Lineage' (2006) lives forever in the audience’s hearts. Time passes and I change, but the characters in the works are eternal, which makes film special. Humans are born and die, but characters in films do not die. Life ends, but films do not."

Aspirations to Become a World-Class Film City

Jung Joon-ho Photo by Jeonju International Film Festival

Jung compared the film festival to a marketplace, emphasizing its role. He said, "The film festival is a celebration for all film people: filmmakers, audiences, business people, producers, and creators. It’s not just any film festival; it has a unique charm that makes you have to come to Jeonju. On market days, people bring goods to sell and buy. The film festival is the same. It’s a marketplace for film people. It’s a place to meet after a long time, communicate, and discuss films through audience talks (GV). The festival must faithfully fulfill this marketplace role."

He began his term this year and took his first step as executive director. While preparing the festival, he also established a mid- to long-term vision. He recalled, "I filmed 'White Room' (2002) in Jeonju. At that time, I ordered a 10,000 won set meal and was surprised by the food served. I remember asking the owner, 'Does this get wasted?' After finishing the meal, I bowed about ten times as I left."

He continued, "The first thing in welcoming guests is serving food, and Jeonju is a city rich in tourism content. In the past, many films were shot in Jeonju, and the festival’s status was solid. I hope Jeonju regains its function as a film and video city." He emphasized, "I will work together to create a festival that breathes with the citizens of Jeonju and can give back to the city."

"The K-content craze is sweeping the world, but the root of film is ultimately the film festival. Our film festival, based on solid infrastructure, can play an important role in becoming a major tourism country. I have a vision of creating a city where the nation, local governments, and citizens unite."

The 24th Jeonju International Film Festival will be held until the 6th of next month around Jeonju’s Film Street area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.