"Upset but Will Write Wrong Answer Notes" Ha Jung-woo Runs Again

Facing Changed Audiences After 20 Years Since Debut
"Unofficial Operation" Underperformance, "Humbly Accepting"
Chuseok Release "1947 Boston" Son Gi-jeong Role Debut

"The underperformance of 'Unofficial Operation' was upsetting and heartbreaking, but I will humbly accept the results. Expectations were high, but reality was different. I will write this down in the wrong answer notebook of my acting career and devote myself to taking on better projects."

Actor Ha Jung-woo (45, Kim Sung-hoon) expressed these words after deeply feeling the harsh summer theater situation in his 20 years since debut. At the production presentation of the film '1947 Boston' (directed by Kang Je-gyu) held the day before, he conveyed his feelings by saying he would accept failure and reflect on himself.

Ha Jung-woo Photo by Yonhap News

The film 'Unofficial Operation' (directed by Kim Sung-hoon), starring Ha Jung-woo, was released on the 2nd of last month and attracted only 1.05 million viewers. Expectations were high. As a big-budget blockbuster with over 30 billion KRW production costs including overseas shooting in Morocco, the break-even point was also high. Despite its scale and meeting audiences in the summer market, it did not receive as much response as expected. The released film received favorable reviews, such as a Golden Egg Index (CGV actual audience rating) of 95%, but it had to accept a disappointing box office result.

Ha Jung-woo, a 20-year veteran actor who has met many audiences through numerous films such as 'Along with the Gods 1 & 2' (2017-2018), '1987' (2017), 'Tunnel', 'The Handmaiden' (2016), 'Assassination' (2015), 'The Age of Blood' (2014), and 'Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time' (2012), feels this disappointment even more deeply.

Ha Jung-woo once again teamed up with director Kim Sung-hoon, who demonstrated his box office power in the 2016 summer market with 'Tunnel'. In addition, he worked with his close friend Ju Ji-hoon in 'Unofficial Operation'. Although box office success was desperately needed, the theater atmosphere upon release was different from expectations.

Sensing something was wrong, Ha Jung-woo had to do something. He sent a long SOS text message directly to singer Sung Si-kyung. Sung Si-kyung invited Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon to his YouTube channel 'Meokheultende'. The two actors appeared on the channel, raising their glasses and sharing their feelings of helplessness. It was a gathering grasping at straws to draw public interest in the film.

Ha Jung-woo will meet audiences again in theaters during the Chuseok holiday following the summer. In the film '1947 Boston' (directed by Kang Je-gyu), he plays Son Ki-jung, the gold medalist of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Im Si-wan plays Seo Yun-bok, Son Ki-jung’s disciple who participated in the 1947 Boston Marathon.

'1947 Boston' stills [Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

Having shaken off the disappointment of 'Unofficial Operation' and returning with '1947 Boston', Ha Jung-woo said, "It is an honor to play the role of Son Ki-jung" and introduced the film as "a heartwarming and grand movie."

He recalled, "Before reading the script, I only knew Son Ki-jung as a national hero. I didn’t know how he wore the Taeguk mark or how he came to participate in the Boston Marathon." He continued, "He won the gold medal while wearing the Japanese flag on his chest, which must have been very painful. He went through difficult times and met Seo Yun-bok, who fulfilled his unachieved dream through the Boston Marathon."

He added, "I acted while thinking of Son Ki-jung. I was careful with every expression and line. I had many conversations with the director about Son Ki-jung’s real personality and how he overcame pain and hardships during filming."

Ha Jung-woo will guard the Chuseok box office alongside actors Song Kang-ho and Kang Dong-won. On the 27th, '1947 Boston', 'Spider’s Web', and 'Dr. Cheon’s Exorcism Research Institute: The Secret of Snow Scenery' will be released simultaneously.

Having newly tied his shoelaces, Ha Jung-woo runs again with a firm mindset. Attention is focused on whether he will smile brightly this Chuseok.

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