Ha Jungwoo Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at London East Asia Film Festival... At the Theater Where He Dreamed of Chaplin

Introducing the New Film "The Upstairs Neighbors"
Directors Kang Yoonseong and Heo Gayoung Also in Attendance

Actor and director Ha Jungwoo received a Lifetime Achievement Award in London, United Kingdom.

The London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) Executive Committee announced on the 27th that Ha Jungwoo was presented with the LEAFF Honorary Award at the opening ceremony held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on the 23rd (local time).

Ha Jungwoo was invited to the festival with his new film, "The Upstairs Neighbors." He said, "When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a director after watching Charlie Chaplin's 'Modern Times.' I am grateful to be able to present my work in London and even receive an award." During the festival, he will also participate in a Q&A session with the audience.

At the opening ceremony, Hong Kong director Yonfan also received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his animation "Praying Mantis." During the award ceremony, he made headlines by inviting Ha Jungwoo to appear in his next film.

Director Kang Yoonseong of "The Outlaws" and director Heo Gayoung of "First Summer" also presented their films. Both directors expressed their anticipation for the response from London audiences.

Under the theme "Faces of Asia," the festival will run for eleven days until November 2. Forty-five films from Asia, including Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, will be screened. The opening film was the 4K remastered version of director John Woo's 1992 classic "Hard Boiled."