MOVIE
Jung Woo-sung, who said “Lee Jung-jae, my friend is a world star”, shows signs of hitting a career high with ‘12.12: THE DAY’
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie theater admissions on the 26th, '12.12: THE DAY' (directed by Kim Seong-su) attracted 594,452 viewers on the 25th, recording a cumulative audience of 1,267,598. '12.12: THE DAY' succeeded in mobilizing a cumulative audience of 1,009,18 as of 1:35 PM on this day, exceeding 1 million viewers within four days of its release.
‘12.12: THE DAY’ depicts the Seoul military revolt on December 12, 1979, which changed the fate of the Republic of Korea. It contains 9 hours of tense action between Chun Doo-gwang (Hwang Jung-min)'s rebel army and Lee Tae-shin's (Jung Woo-sung) suppression army. In proportion to the favorable reviews of the work itself, many audiences are visiting theaters, and expectations are high that it will continue to be a long-term box office hit. This film is the fourth Korean film released this year to attract 1 million viewers within 4 days of its release, along with 'Crime City 3', 'Smuggling', and 'Concrete Utopia'.
Industry insiders agree that Jung Woo-sung will hit a career high as a movie actor through this work. Jung Woo-sung is being evaluated as having taken a step forward in terms of acting in this work. Jung Woo-sung showed off his unique acting skills as Lee Tae-shin, a strong soldier who must fight to the end even though he knows he will lose.
Jung Woo-sung, who plays Lee Tae-shin, the opposite of Jeon Doo-gwang (Hwang Jung-min), suppresses his boiling anger throughout the movie and gives orders, persuades, and sues. Although it is a series of situations that can be as frustrating as a sweet potato, Jung Woo-sung draws the audience in by seriously expressing the urgent cause of stopping the rebels each time.
Previously, Jung Woo-sung spoke about his life as an actor, including movies, in an interview related to '12.12: THE DAY' held on the 21st. This year, Jung Woo-sung released his debut feature film director, 'The Guardian', and made cameo appearances in 'Woongnam', 'Cobweb', 'Sweet Sea: 7510', etc., and was active through 'Spring in Seoul' and the Genie TV drama 'Tell me I love you'. I want to meet the public.
Regarding this, Jung Woo-sung said, "I want to receive a cameo award at that film festival. I think I deserve it," and "I did it because it was a request from people I worked with, so it was difficult to refuse, but after doing it, I thought, 'Why did I do so much?' Now I'm turning down requests. “I have a reason to do it,” he said with a smile.
He said, "I thought I was running too crazy. Now, shouldn't I look back calmly and take a break? After the drama is over, I want to take a break now."
When told that he had celebrated his 30th debut anniversary, he joked, “Can I cry?” and then added, “The experiences I received from the work that that time gave me have made me who I am today. Looking back, the excitement about the field has not changed whether it was 30 years ago or now. I think it is. In some ways, it's a great luck. Being an actor suits my aptitude. I'm thankful that I'm doing a job that suits my aptitude and that I enjoy," he said with a smile.
In addition, when the story of his close friend, actor Lee Jung-jae, known as the so-called 'Cheongdam couple', came up, Jung Woo-sung laughed and said, "Lee Jung-jae, my friend is a world star." He expressed his pride in Lee Jung-jae, who has expanded his reach to the global stage, calling him a ‘world star.’
Although Jung Woo-sung has been working hard this year, he has not forgotten his excitement and gratitude for acting. For that reason, his wish to “take a break” appears unlikely to last for a long time. There will be no end to love calls looking for Jung Woo-sung, who will achieve another career high in the 30th year since his debut.
Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr
