[On the Record] Why Did Director Park Hoon-jung Embrace the Hot Kim Seon-ho?

Director Park Hoon-jung Interview

Film 'Gwigongja' Released on the 21st of Last Month
Noir Focused on Violence Rather Than Action

Director Park Hoon-jung (49) went through many trials and tribulations before releasing the film 'Guigongja'. This was due to the controversy surrounding lead actor Kim Seon-ho's private life. The title was changed several times, from 'Sad Tropics' to 'The Child', and then to 'Guigongja'. Nowadays, audiences distinguish actors who are ethically criticized or even suspected of minor allegations. They have shown their stance by boycotting certain works. In an era where moral standards as a lead actor have become an important value criterion for viewers, this directly affects box office success, making it quite significant. As a producer and film director, he surely understands this. We heard his story.

Recently, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Director Park said, "There was no actor who could portray the envisioned role of Guigongja as well as Kim Seon-ho," adding, "There was no other option."

"Kim Seon-ho Controversy, I Rode a Rollercoaster Every Day But..."

Director Park Hoon-jung Photo by Studio&New

In October 2021, Kim Seon-ho's ex-girlfriend revealed on an online bulletin board that her ex-boyfriend Kim Seon-ho pressured her to have an abortion and had various personality issues, sparking controversy.

Afterwards, the production company Oyu Naegang changed the casting of the film '2 O'clock Date' (director Lee Sang-geun) to Ahn Bo-hyun, and JK Film replaced the casting of 'Dog Days' (director Kim Deok-min, working title) with Lee Hyun-woo, completing filming. However, Director Park did not change Kim Seon-ho's casting. Thanks to this, Kim Seon-ho was able to safely have his name on 'Guigongja', his first-ever screen debut and lead role.

Director Park recalled, "The situation changed rapidly day by day. It was like riding a rollercoaster, going up and down. As a director, my judgment took precedence over that as a producer. I strongly felt that 'Kim Seon-ho is perfect for the role of Guigongja.'"

He explained again, "At that time, it was unclear whether the issues were true or not, and the right and wrong were not determined. Since things changed daily, I did not want to make a hasty judgment on that part."

Summarizing Director Park Hoon-jung's words, there was no alternative actor to replace Kim Seon-ho's casting. Although there are many good actors, as a director, Kim Seon-ho was the perfect fit for the lead role he envisioned, so he pushed forward. In fact, this sounds like leaving it to the public to decide how to view it simply because there was no alternative. We asked if he was not concerned about audience reactions.

Director Park answered, "I definitely had such concerns." He added, "As someone working in commercial films, that was certainly a consideration."

Director Park Hoon-jung and Kim Seon-ho
[Photo by Studio&New]

He continued, "At that time, the information and news I received changed daily about what was fact and truth. I thought it was not a situation where I could make an accurate judgment. Unlike other works, I thought it was not possible to immediately change the actor; I needed to wait longer."

Director Park also said, "Since it is a commercial film, concerns about box office success come first. I believe the important thing for success is the film itself. The responsibility to consider what power the film holds lies with the creator. I discussed this with the investors, and they waited."

Discovering 'Guigongja' in a Melo Face

We asked a fundamental question. Kim Seon-ho has been a familiar face in melodramas such as 'Start-Up' (2020) and 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' (2021). It is true that he was somewhat distant from action noir. It was Director Park Hoon-jung who brought him into film. Why did he choose Kim Seon-ho for 'Guigongja'? What did he discover in the actor, and why was he confident?

He began, "Surprisingly, after watching his performances in 'Start-Up' and 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha', I felt he was an actor with a wide spectrum."

He continued, "People hadn't seen such a good face; I thought I should be the first to use him. I was confident he would do very well in 'Guigongja.'"

He cited his most satisfying scene as the one where Guigongja, covered in blood, sweeps his hair back. Director Park said, "He is a violent madman but has a gentle-looking face, and I liked the feeling of him going about his daily life nonchalantly with that face. It’s a terrifying scene, but it felt like someone who just got off a treadmill, drinks water, and wipes sweat. Watching that scene, I thought, 'Ah, this is exactly the face.'"

The violent world depicted in Director Park's films such as 'New World' (2012) and 'The Witch' 1 & 2 (2018?2022) is immense. When asked if it was an expression of inner desire, he said, "I grew up in many male-dominated group environments. I find the violence portrayed in films interesting. I like history, and human history is a history of violence. Violence is also the most primal method of resolving conflicts."

Director Park Hoon-jung Photo by Studio&New

He added, "Seeing elegant people in suits ultimately resolving things through violence felt hypocritical. They manipulate others to order violence and also exercise violence through words. Police and military forces possessed by every country are also a kind of violent group. Ultimately, conflict resolution is often dominated by the logic of power. At the end of any story, violence exists."

He emphasized, "In that sense, I want audiences to see the action scenes in my films as violence rather than just action. The action is intense and destructive, but I direct it with the idea of violence, not just action."

Park Hoon-jung also spoke about the pride he feels as a film director. He said, "I think I make entertaining films. Also, I don't ask others to watch films that I myself wouldn't watch."

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